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TED Talks Daily

Is technology our savior — or our slayer? | Ruha Benjamin

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.
12:18

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • We need to dismantle the narratives of Silicon Valley utopia and dystopia and imagine a future that prioritizes collective well-being and recognizes the interconnectedness of struggles.
  • Examples of 'ustopias' that challenge dominant narratives prioritize social well-being, community safety, and ecological well-being.

Deep dives

A More Inclusive Vision of the Future

The current future is shaped by a small group of tech billionaires who prioritize their own interests, resulting in a lopsided imagination that neglects the needs of the many. There are two narratives about the future: a Silicon Valley utopia where technology caters to our every desire and a dystopia where technology dominates and displaces humanity. Both narratives overlook the importance of human input and fail to address social transformation. To move forward, we must dismantle these narratives and imagine a future, called 'ustopia,' that prioritizes collective well-being and recognizes the interconnectedness of struggles. Barcelona's participatory experiment with Decideam showcases the power of collective intelligence in creating policies that respond to people's needs.

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