

Is technology our savior — or our slayer? | Ruha Benjamin
47 snips Nov 6, 2023
Ruha Benjamin, a sociologist focused on the intersections of race and technology, joins David Kelly, founder of IDEO, to discuss the transformative power of technology. They argue against viewing technology solely as a savior or a slayer. Instead, they highlight how human values can shape technology to uplift communities. They explore grassroots initiatives that foster participatory governance and examine how overcoming fears related to creativity can lead to breakthroughs in healthcare for kids, reminding us of our innate creative potential.
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Lopsided Imagination
- Current futurists focus on technology benefiting the few, neglecting the needs of the many.
- This lopsided imagination limits possibilities for a better future for everyone.
Two Flawed Narratives
- Two dominant narratives about the future exist: one where technology saves us, another where it destroys us.
- Both narratives disempower humanity by assuming technology controls our destiny.
Us-topia
- We need to shift our focus from dystopia or utopia to "us-topia," a future shaped by collective action.
- "Us-topia" recognizes that we, not technology, determine our destiny.