New Books in Science, Technology, and Society

Matt Beane, "The Skill Code: How to Save Human Ability in an Age of Intelligent Machines" (HarperCollins, 2024)

Dec 23, 2024

In this engaging convo, Matt Beane, an Assistant Professor of Technology Management at UC Santa Barbara, dives into his book discussing the impact of automation on skill development. He highlights how AI can threaten traditional mentor-mentee relationships essential for junior workers. Beane shares innovative training systems aimed at improving skill acquisition while emphasizing the importance of tacit knowledge in complex tasks. He also sheds light on the challenges faced by low-wage workers in warehousing due to automation, and announces Skill Bench, a startup focused on enhancing skill development.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Navigating AI's Impact on Skill Development

02:20 • 14min

Navigating the Landscape of Automation and Innovation

16:26 • 3min

Unlocking Potential Through AI and Skill Sharing

19:39 • 10min

Navigating Technology and Education

30:01 • 10min

The Dynamics of Skill Acquisition

40:25 • 16min

Navigating Status Systems in Skill Development

56:47 • 4min

Navigating Learning Through Innovation and Deviance

01:01:02 • 10min

Localized Skill Development in a Tech World

01:11:01 • 4min

Revolutionizing Skills in Warehousing

01:14:45 • 10min

Pedagogy of the Oppressed

Paulo Freire

Paulo Freire's "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" is a seminal work in education theory that critiques traditional, banking-style education and advocates for a more liberating approach. Freire argues that education should be a transformative process that empowers students to critically analyze their world and challenge oppressive structures. He emphasizes dialogue and participatory learning as essential tools for fostering critical consciousness and social change. The book's enduring influence lies in its challenge to traditional power dynamics in education and its call for a more just and equitable learning environment. Freire's work has inspired educators and activists around the world to rethink their approaches to teaching and learning.

The Skill Code: How to Save Human Ability in the Age of Intelligent Machines

How to Save Human Ability in the Age of Intelligent Machines

Matt Beane

Matt Beane's "The Skill Code" explores the impact of automation on skill development in the workplace. Beane argues that traditional apprenticeship models are being disrupted by self-serve technologies, leading to a decline in crucial skills. The book examines how organizations are adopting these technologies and the resulting challenges to mentorship and learning. Beane offers insights into how to mitigate the negative impacts of automation on skill development and proposes solutions for creating new training systems. Ultimately, the book emphasizes the importance of human connection and collaboration in the age of intelligent machines.

Amusing Ourselves to Death

Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business

Neil Postman

In this book, Neil Postman argues that the contemporary world is more akin to Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World' than George Orwell's '1984'. Postman contends that television's emphasis on entertainment has led to a decline in rational discourse and the trivialization of politics, education, and religion. He contrasts the print-based culture of the 19th century with the televisual culture of the 20th century, highlighting how the medium of television inherently promotes incoherence and triviality, turning serious information into a form of entertainment.