Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

278 | Kieran Healy on the Technology of Ranking People

Jun 10, 2024

01:15:56

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Sociologist Kieran Healy discusses how technology ranks people, from societal impacts to privacy concerns. They explore data collection advancements, the evolution of technology in various industries, and the influence of AI and large language models. The conversation delves into privacy challenges, institutional phenomena, and the dynamic impact of human interactions within pervasive systems.

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Quick takeaways

Ranking individuals is a common human tendency influenced by technology.

Data collection enhances financialization trends and predicts income streams.

Technological advancements raise concerns about data monetization and service concentration.

Deep dives

Impact of Data Collection on Social Life

The expansion of data collection methods has transformed social life, with individuals now being monitored and tracked in various ways. Rather than just surveillance, social activities are now mediated through technologies, creating a new way of interacting and being monitored. This shift has changed how people perceive their online identity and visibility, affecting individuals across different age groups.

Personalized Data and Efficient Market Pricing

00:40

Information Sharing and Profitability

00:39

The Existential Task of Modern Individuals

00:42

Different Cuts, Same Cow

00:43

Intro

2min

The Impact of Technology on Ranking and Classification in Society

14min

Exploring Advances in Data Collection and Analysis Methods

5min

Exploring Modern Liberalism and Data-driven Identity

14min

Exploring the Impacts of Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models

3min

Evolution of Technology and Data Collection Across Various Industries

17min

Discussion on Smart Fridges, Financialization of Companies, and Profit Shifts

4min

Privacy, Data Collection, and Institutional Phenomena

17min

Exploring the Influence of Human Social Interactions on Pervasive Systems

5min

We claim to love all of our children, friends, and students equally. But perhaps deep down you assign a ranking to them, from favorite to not-so-favorite. Ranking and quantifying people is an irresistible human tendency, and modern technology has made it ubiquitous. In this episode I talk with sociologist Kieran Healy, who has co-authored (with Marion Fourcade) the new book The Ordinal Society, about how our lives are measured and processed by the technological ecosystem around us. We discuss how this has changed how relate to ourselves and the wider world.

Support Mindscape on Patreon.

Blog post with transcript: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2024/06/10/278-kieran-healy-on-the-technology-of-ranking-people/

Kieran Healy received his Ph.D. in sociology from Princeton University. He is currently a professor of sociology at Duke University, and a member of the Kenan Institute for Ethics. As an undergraduate at University College Cork he won the Irish Times National Debating competition. He has a longstanding interest in data visualization.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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