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Tech Won't Save Us
Data Vampires: Fighting for Control (Episode 4)
Oct 28, 2024
Join Emil P. Torres, a postdoctoral candidate, Julia Black, a features reporter, Dan McQuillan, a lecturer, and Ali Alkhatib, former head of a data ethics center, as they dive into the chilling nexus of tech and extreme right-wing politics. They discuss the dangers of tech billionaires' visions for a future where humans merge with machines. Ethical implications of living in a simulation are unpacked, alongside calls for reclaiming digital sovereignty against expanding data centers. A thought-provoking conversation on technology's societal impact awaits!
35:38
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Quick takeaways
- Tech billionaires' long-termism prioritizes future aspirations, often justifying present sacrifices while neglecting immediate social and environmental issues.
- The merging of technology with extreme right-wing politics threatens democratic values and highlights the need for rethinking the role of technology in society.
Deep dives
The Matrix and the Simulation Hypothesis
The concept of living in a simulation has gained traction since the release of The Matrix in 1999, which introduced audiences to a dystopian world controlled by intelligent machines. This idea, although not entirely new, resonated with increasing advancements in technology and the rise of the internet. Philosophers like Nick Bostrom have suggested that if humanity survives into the future and engages in creating simulations of its past, the likelihood of living in a simulation becomes significant. This line of thought has captured the imaginations of many in Silicon Valley, leading notable figures like Elon Musk to assert that we might very well be living in a simulated reality.
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Discover
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Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode