How US-China Rivalry Distracts from Tech Harms w/ Yangyang Cheng
Sep 14, 2023
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Yangyang Cheng, a particle physicist and research scholar at Yale Law School, joins the podcast to discuss the US-China rivalry. They explore how nationalistic narratives distract us from understanding tech in both countries and the impact on scientific collaboration. They also discuss the double standard in the tech rivalry, the influence of nationalism on technology, and the expiration of the US-China Science Technology Cooperation Agreement. A thought-provoking conversation challenging categorizations of technology and science.
The podcast emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of the US-China relationship, particularly in terms of technology and scientific collaboration.
It raises concerns about the negative consequences of initiatives like the China Initiative on academic collaborations and the Chinese-American community.
The podcast highlights the biased narratives surrounding Chinese and American technology, stressing the importance of a more nuanced understanding and addressing real concerns.
Deep dives
US-China Relations: Shift in Perspectives and Growing Divides
The podcast episode discusses the changing relationship between the United States and China, particularly in terms of technology and scientific collaboration. It emphasizes the growing divide between the two countries and how this impacts science, technology, and societies. The episode highlights the way narratives are shaped to present one country as good and the other as bad, without considering the complexities and motivations behind their actions. The episode also raises questions about who benefits from these narratives and presents a nuanced understanding of the geopolitical tensions between the US and China.
The Impact on Academia: Scrutiny on Chinese Scholars and the China Initiative
The podcast delves into the impact of US-China tensions on academia, specifically highlighting the experiences of Chinese scholars in the United States. It discusses the China Initiative, a program launched by the US government that increased scrutiny on Chinese academics and collaborations. The episode explains the motivations behind the initiative, including concerns about intellectual property theft and conflicts of interest. However, it also highlights the need for a nuanced approach and the potential negative consequences of such initiatives on academic collaborations and the Chinese-American community.
Double Standards and Biased Narratives: Chinese Technology and US Perspectives
The podcast explores the double standards and biased narratives surrounding Chinese technology and US perspectives. It criticizes the reductive and propagandized narratives about Chinese technology being presented as inherently bad, while American technology is portrayed as inherently good. The episode emphasizes the need to have a more nuanced understanding of technology, acknowledging that vulnerabilities and concerns exist across different countries and companies. It also raises questions about the use of human rights as a weaponized narrative in the US discourse and how it diverts attention from addressing the real issues surrounding technology development and regulation.
The Influence of Intellectual Property Protection and Human Capital Exchange
The episode discusses the influence of intellectual property protection and the exchange of human capital in the United States and China. It highlights how both nations have engaged in similar behaviors in the past, such as taking academics and skilled workers from other countries to enhance their own growth. The episode also notes the shift in intellectual property regulations in China as it transitions from a major importer to a major exporter of intellectual property. It points out the impact of commercializing academic research on prioritizing certain questions and the role of geopolitical context in criminalizing trade secret infringements. The discussion stresses the importance of ethical objections based on the use of technology rather than the nationality of users.
Nationalism, Science, and Technology
The episode explores the effects of nationalism on science and technology pursuits and regulations. It highlights how nationalist rhetoric in both the United States and China influences the type of work pursued and shapes public perception. The discussion emphasizes the need to prioritize the public good and recognize the impacts of these narratives on scientific collaboration and the global nature of technology development. It also raises concerns about the geopolitical implications of regulations and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of technology. The episode advocates for a shift in focus from competition to understanding and cooperation, emphasizing the importance of protecting and empowering the public's interests.
Paris Marx is joined by Yangyang Cheng to discuss the growing divide between the United States and China, and how nationalistic narratives distract us from a better understanding of tech in both countries.
Yangyang Cheng is a particle physicist and research scholar at Yale Law School. She’s written for the New York Times, The Guardian, The Nation, WIRED, and many others. You can follow Yangyang on Twitter at @yangyang_cheng.
Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Follow the podcast (@techwontsaveus) and host Paris Marx (@parismarx) on Twitter, and support the show on Patreon.