Life with Machines From Division to Dialogue—How AI Can Save Democracy | Deb Roy (Ep. 16)
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Apr 15, 2025 Deb Roy, an MIT professor and former Twitter scientist, discusses how better technology can nurture trust and dialogue in democracy. He shares insights on fostering empathy through storytelling, leveraging AI for community engagement, and the importance of diverse voices in public discourse. The conversation also highlights innovative platforms like Cortico that improve civic collaboration, alongside a light-hearted coffee rivalry between Tim Hortons and Starbucks. Roy's vision reimagines how tech can turn division into constructive dialogue.
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Deb Roy's Smoke Bomb Childhood
- Deb Roy shared a childhood story about making homemade smoke bombs using saltpeter and icing sugar.
- He used these harmless smoke bombs to create surprising black smoke plumes in neighbors' snowy yards.
Twitter's Listening Illusion
- Twitter has become a corrupted channel for truly listening to diverse voices during elections.
- Loud, emotionally provocative accounts dominate, sidelining most everyday users' authentic perspectives.
Share Experiences to Build Empathy
- Sharing experiences rather than opinions greatly increases empathy, respect, and trust.
- Hearing stories doesn't always change minds but changes minds about the person sharing.