Homebrewed Christianity

Ulises Mejias: Data Colonialism

7 snips
Mar 24, 2025
Dr. Ulises Mejias, a Professor of Communication Studies and expert on data colonialism, sheds light on how modern tech companies exploit personal data, drawing parallels with historical colonialism. The discussion explores the ethical concerns of data ownership and its impact on education and immigration policies. Mejias emphasizes the need for decolonizing technology, noting how marginalized populations face systemic injustices through data extraction. He also highlights the role of AI in reshaping education and the political power dynamics evolving from social media.
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ANECDOTE

Colonial Mexico City

  • Ulises Mejias reflects on the colonial history of Mexico City, where Spanish conquistadors built on top of Aztec pyramids.
  • This symbolized a shift in power and perspective, mirroring how modern tech companies build upon existing structures.
INSIGHT

Terms of Service as Requerimiento

  • Mejias compares modern terms of service agreements to the Spanish 'Requerimiento'.
  • Both use confusing language to justify appropriation, highlighting a deceptive mechanism of dispossession.
INSIGHT

Data Colonialism and Territories

  • Data colonialism appropriates human life for profit, extending the legacies of historical colonialism.
  • Data territories, like platforms and smart devices, are bounded spaces controlled by code to extract data.
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