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

278 | Kieran Healy on the Technology of Ranking People

Jun 10, 2024

Kieran Healy, a sociology professor at Duke University and co-author of "The Ordinal Society," discusses our human propensity to rank each other and the implications of this tendency in the digital age. The conversation dives into how technology shapes recruitment processes, affects personal identity, and influences societal organization. Healy explores the clash between individuality and systematic classification, urging caution in AI development to preserve personal freedom. The dialogue offers critical insights into our interconnected lives and the role of data in shaping perceptions.

01:15:56

Episode guests

Kieran Healy

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Episode notes

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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.

Intro

2min

The Dichotomy of Modernity: Individuality vs. Organization

5min

The Rise of Ranking in Digital Society

9min

Understanding Data Classification and Its Societal Impacts

5min

Identity in the Digital Age

14min

Navigating the Future of AI: Balancing Convenience and Freedom

3min

The Evolution of Technology and Data Interactions

17min

The Intersection of Smart Technology and Financialization in Consumer Goods

4min

Navigating Data Privacy and Social Structures

17min

10.

Navigating the Messiness of Social Systems and Digital Spaces

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.

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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.

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