In a captivating conversation with Gabriel Gatehouse, Nobel Peace Prize Winner Maria Ressa sheds light on her courageous fight for journalism in the face of authoritarian threats. She discusses the grave implications of big tech's greed, how it undermines democracy, and the Philippines as a frontline for global democracy challenges. Ressa shares her personal struggles, the dangerous intersection of social media and political manipulation, and her unwavering optimism for a future where informed activism can prevail.
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insights INSIGHT
Social Media's Business Model
Social media’s business model commodifies users by creating clones of them through machine learning.
This data allows micro-targeting, manipulating individuals by exploiting vulnerabilities.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Philippines as Ground Zero
The Philippines has been ground zero for several technological and societal shifts, including social media manipulation and disinformation campaigns.
This is partly due to weak institutions, high internet usage, and English proficiency.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Untriggered Coup
Maria Ressa describes a time when her news organization could have triggered a coup in the Philippines by airing a live report.
She chose not to, highlighting the media's power and responsibility.
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Maria Ressa's "How to Stand Up to a Dictator" offers a powerful firsthand account of her experiences battling authoritarianism in the Philippines. The book details her fight for press freedom and the challenges faced by journalists in the face of government repression and online disinformation campaigns. Ressa's narrative highlights the importance of independent journalism in upholding democratic values and exposing abuses of power. She provides practical strategies for individuals and organizations to resist authoritarian regimes and protect freedom of expression. The book serves as a testament to the courage and resilience of journalists who risk their lives to defend truth and democracy.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Milan Kundera
Set in Czechoslovakia during the 1968 Prague Spring and its aftermath, 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being' follows the lives of Tomáš, a surgeon and serial adulterer; Tereza, his wife; Sabina, Tomáš's mistress and an artist; and Franz, Sabina's lover. The novel delves into philosophical themes such as the concept of 'lightness' versus 'heaviness', drawing from the ideas of Nietzsche and Parmenides. It explores the characters' experiences with love, sex, loyalty, and betrayal, all set against the political turmoil of the time. The story examines the human condition, the search for meaning and happiness, and the consequences of the choices made by the characters[2][3][5].
Awkward Intelligence
Noah Block-Harley
Katharina Zweig
In 'Awkward Intelligence', Katharina Zweig explores the strengths and weaknesses of AI, highlighting its accuracy in data processing but inaccuracy in human judgment. She provides a toolkit for understanding AI systems and discusses the ethics of AI use. Zweig argues that while AI excels in certain tasks, it often fails in making judgments about people, and she offers insights into how we can improve AI decision-making.
Will democracy survive? According to Nobel Peace Prize Winner Maria Ressa, "we're in the last two minutes". In November she sat down with journalist Gabriel Gatehouse to discuss her lifetime commitment to journalism, the potential 99 years in jail which hang over her for standing up to former president Rodrigo Duterte's authoritarian regime, and her optimism for a brighter future. Maria and Gabriel also examine the greed of big tech in the destruction of democracies and why the Philippines is often ground zero for events which spread to the rest of the world.
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