Episode 36: Electric Cars, the Problems with Tech Biographies, and Against Technoableism ft. Ashley Shew
Oct 18, 2023
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Ashley Shew, an Associate Professor at Virginia Tech and author of Against Technoableism, dives into the complexities of technology's role in society. She critiques recent tech biographies, emphasizing how they often overlook the disabled experience. The conversation moves to the implications of facial recognition in schools and its ethical dilemmas. They also discuss autism, advocating for a shift towards neurodiversity and community support. A compelling advocate for inclusion, Shew highlights the need for technology to embrace, rather than hinder, disability.
The conversation highlights how reliance on technology for disability can create inequities and exacerbate life challenges when options become obsolete.
Ongoing strikes in the automotive sector reveal workers' concerns about AI and automation jeopardizing job security amidst the shift to electric vehicles.
The podcast critiques the perception of technology as a solution for disabilities, advocating instead for societal designs that empower disabled individuals.
Deep dives
The Role of Maintenance in Disability Technology
Maintenance plays a crucial yet overlooked role in the discourse on disability and technology. Many disabled individuals depend on corporations for their mobility and sensory capabilities, which raises significant concerns about reliability and sustainability. The challenges can be evident when important technologies, such as cochlear implants or assistive devices, become obsolete or unsupported, leaving users without effective alternatives. This reliance on a tech-centric approach to disability can perpetuate inequities and render the quality of life precarious for those who depend on these technologies.
Political Dynamics in the Automotive Industry
The ongoing labor strikes within the automotive sector highlight the intersection of technology, politics, and worker rights. Workers express anxiety about the impacts of AI and automation on their jobs, fearing a future where machines replace human labor. With mixed political responses from leaders like Biden and Trump, workers are grappling with the dichotomy of technological advancement and job security. The rush towards electric vehicles adds another layer of complexity, as workers worry that these innovations might displace traditional manufacturing roles and reduce opportunities in the U.S.
Electric Vehicles and Societal Freedom
The debate surrounding electric vehicles raises fundamental questions about freedom and autonomy in modern transportation. Critics argue that while electric vehicles may promise environmental benefits, they also impose a new dependency on technology and infrastructure that can restrict personal freedom. Concerns about the reliability of electric grids and software autonomy deepen fears that the transition away from traditional vehicles might not genuinely enhance personal liberty. This intersection of technology and freedom sparks a culture war, as different groups politicize the implications of sustainable transportation.
Disability and the Concept of Technological Redemption
The prevailing narrative surrounding technology often frames it as a remedy for disabilities, inherently viewing these conditions as deficits to be corrected. Such narratives can undermine the dignity and agency of disabled individuals, reducing them to mere subjects of technological intervention rather than active participants in their lives. Rather than promoting a normalization of difference, this mindset can perpetuate ableism by suggesting that individuals should aspire to conform to certain standards of ability. Critical discourse around these technologies challenges the assumption that solving disability requires technological advancement, advocating instead for societal design changes that empower rather than marginalize.
The Importance of Community in Disability Justice
Building a community-oriented approach is vital for advancing disability justice and ensuring that disabled individuals are recognized as experts in their own narratives. Engaging disabled individuals in discourse about technology and access fosters a more inclusive perspective that challenges traditional ableist frameworks. Initiatives like community education programs and participatory design not only amplify the voices of disabled people but also exemplify the need for an intersectional understanding of technology's role in their lives. As experience and expertise become central tenets in the design and implementation of technology, the focus shifts from merely modifying individuals to transforming societal infrastructures.
In this episode, Shobita and Jack discuss the United Auto Worker strike, facial recognition technology in schools, and the recent biographies of Elon Musk and Sam Bankman-Fried. And, they interview Ashley Shew, author of Against Technoableism and Associate Professor of Science, Technology, and Society at Virginia Tech.
