#89 - Ben White - Can the MEANING CRISIS be solved by TECHNOLOGY?

21 snips

Oct 17, 2024

Ben White, a Leverhulme-funded PhD candidate at the University of Sussex, dives into the 'meaning crisis' and its interplay with technology and neuroscience. He discusses how active inference can help us understand our relationship with the environment and the implications for education. The conversation highlights the dual role of technology—scaffolding meaning yet potentially diminishing human agency. Ben also explores the challenges of addiction and social media, advocating for a more authentic technological landscape that fosters genuine well-being.

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INSIGHT

Active Inference Application

Active inference provides a framework for understanding how individuals interact with their environments. It emphasizes the importance of flexible engagement for well-being.

INSIGHT

Meaning Crisis Overview

The meaning crisis affects our ability to find significance in life. Erosion of coherence between agents and their environment contributes to negative emotions and uncertainty.

INSIGHT

Technological Impact

Technology can both support and diminish our sense of agency. The rapid evolution of digital technology creates more information volatility and affects human agency.

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Ben graduated from the University of Edinburgh’s flagship Mind, Language, and Embodied Cognition MSc. He is a Leverhulme-funded PhD candidate at the University of Sussex under Andy Clark's mentorship, where his research focuses on neuroscience and digital technology.

Read Ben's research here

Summary

In this conversation, we explore the concept of the meaning crisis, its implications for human agency, and the role of technology in shaping our understanding of meaning. We also discuss how active inference provides a framework for understanding the relationship between individuals and their environments, particularly in the context of education and technology. The conversation delves into the challenges posed by social media and addiction, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced approach to technology that fosters genuine meaning and well-being.

Timestamps:

00:00 Exploring the Meaning Crisis

09:23 Defining Meaning and Its Dimensions

17:57 The Role of Technology in Meaning

29:41 Education, Agency, and Active Inference

41:04 Adaptive Technology and Its Implications

52:26 Addiction, Agency, and Meaning

01:03:10 The Future of Technology and Meaning

Some key takeaways

* The meaning crisis is a developmental crisis that affects our ability to find meaning in life.

* Active inference offers a framework for understanding how agents interact with our environments.

* Technology can both scaffold and diminish our sense of agency.

* Education systems need to cultivate character traits that support meaningful living.

* Addiction often arises from a lack of meaning, leading to short-term pleasure-seeking behaviors.

* Gamification in technology can lead to a loss of genuine engagement and meaning.

* Design strategies for technology should prioritize sincerity and transparency.

* The relationship between agency and technology is complex and requires careful consideration.

* Meaning can be found in both virtual and physical environments, but the nature of that meaning may differ.

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