Podcast Summary
Technology's transformative effect on us and ethical implications: Technology alters who we are and what we value, raising ethical concerns about irreversible transformations and whose preferences should be prioritized.
Technology's influence on us goes beyond steering our attention and time, it fundamentally transforms who we are and what we value, raising significant ethical implications. Philosophosopher LA Paul's metaphor of becoming a vampire illustrates this, as the decision to transform is irreversible and alters our preferences. The challenge lies in evaluating such transformative experiences beforehand, especially when the persuader is the one transforming us. Social media, for instance, may be turning us into attention-seeking vampires, and whose preferences should we prioritize – the person before or after transformation? The only ethical persuasion occurs when the persuader's goals align with the persuadee's, but what if the persuader transforms us into someone desiring the very thing we were persuaded into? We must critically evaluate the testimony of others who have undergone such transformations, considering how the transformation might alter our perspective. This is a complex issue, and it's crucial to recognize the profound impact technology has on our identities and values.
Deciding on Major Life Changes: Parenting and Vampirism: Making significant life decisions involves considering uncertainty, potential self-transformation, and the influence of technology and social media. There's no clear rule for choosing between current and future selves.
Making significant life decisions, such as becoming a parent or a vampire, presents unique challenges due to the uncertainty of the experience and the potential for personal transformation. Research suggests that parents may experience lower moment-to-moment happiness than those without children, but this doesn't necessarily mean they're unhappy. Instead, the value of suffering and becoming a parent might not be accurately captured by the "happier" label. Similarly, the decision to become a vampire or undergo other major life changes lacks clear guidelines, making it a self-interested choice. However, the lack of information about the experience and the potential for a significantly different self-identity make informed decision-making difficult. The question then becomes: which self should make the choice – the current self or the future self? There's no clear principle decision rule for these situations, adding to the complexity. Additionally, new experiences can be influenced by technology and social media, making the decision even more complicated.
How Technology Influences Our Preferences and Beliefs: Technology use can shape our preferences and beliefs, leading to transformative changes in who we are. It's important to be aware of these influences and consider their potential impact on society.
Our preferences and beliefs can be influenced in ways we don't fully understand, both by our own experiences and by external stimuli. This is particularly relevant in the context of technology use, where we voluntarily engage with platforms but are also influenced by the fact that the entire world is using them. This can lead to transformative changes in who we are, making us value things differently than we once did. This is a natural part of personal growth, but it's important to be aware of these influences and consider their potential impact on society as a whole. The speaker uses the example of professional development to illustrate this point, highlighting how intensive training can lead to a fundamentally different self with new preferences. However, when it comes to technology, we often don't think carefully enough about how it's shaping us, potentially leading to unintended consequences.
Technology's Unexpected Transformations: Recognize that technology's impact on individuals and society is not neutral, and consider potential consequences before blindly accepting changes.
Technology, particularly social media, has the power to significantly transform individuals and society as a whole, often in unexpected ways. Examples like the Facebook like button, LinkedIn profiles, and Instagram influencers demonstrate how these platforms have altered the way we seek validation, define professionalism, and value influence. However, it's crucial to recognize that technology is not neutral, and these transformations are not always positive. As Jaron Lanier points out, even small changes can have a significant impact over time, leading to compounding effects. Therefore, it's essential to consider the potential consequences of new technologies and values that emerge and strive for clear-headed decision-making. We should not blindly accept these changes without careful thought and consideration, as they can lead to societal transformations akin to a "vampire-like change."
The subtle influence of new experiences and technologies: Understanding and acknowledging the power of new technologies to change our preferences and thinking is crucial, as well as exploring philosophical questions and promoting transparency to ensure individual control.
As we navigate new experiences and technologies, we underestimate their ability to subtly influence and change our preferences and thinking. Pre-commitment strategies, like avoiding certain technologies, may not be effective due to their seductive nature. It's crucial for individuals and societies to acknowledge responsibility for these changes and explore philosophical questions regarding good versus bad actions, who decides, and the importance of transparency. Tech companies should identify and understand these structural facts about action and influence, and provide transparent processes for individuals to have control over their influence.
Informed consent and ethical use of persuasive technology: Persuasive tech can positively influence behavior, but ethical concerns arise when it's used deceitfully or without informed consent. Establishing clear regulations and transparency is crucial for ethical use and informed consent.
While persuasive technology can be used to positively influence behavior through transparent nudges, it becomes problematic when it's used deceitfully or without informed consent. The concept of informed consent raises complex questions, particularly when it comes to understanding the potential consequences of certain actions and trusting the expertise of those making the suggestions. However, the lack of regulation in the tech industry regarding social impact is concerning, as the potential for large-scale behavioral changes is significant. It's essential to establish a proportional level of responsibility and transparency for those designing and implementing persuasive technologies to ensure informed consent and ethical use.
Ethical concerns of manipulating users on social media without informed consent: Technology's ability to manipulate and experiment on social media users without informed consent raises ethical questions, impacting individuals and requiring external vetting and modeling.
While people may give consent to use social media platforms like Facebook, there are ethical concerns regarding the manipulation and experimentation that can occur without informed consent. The impact of these experiments on individuals is not always clear, and there is a need for external vetting and modeling before using people in this way. As technology advances and becomes more capable of understanding our preferences and behaviors, it raises philosophical questions about what it means to have informed consent and what we should optimize for in a world where technology knows us better than we know ourselves. The idea of optimizing for lifelong development and increased self-awareness is an interesting proposition, but it raises questions about who makes the decisions and on what basis. Ultimately, it's important to consider the ethical implications of technology's role in shaping our lives and to ensure that it aligns with our values and goals.
The outcomes of technology are unpredictable: Technology's impact on us is ongoing and complex, with potential for both positive and negative consequences. Awareness and active engagement are crucial to assess and mitigate potential risks.
Technology and interactions with it can significantly change us, but the outcomes are not predetermined or simple. The process is ongoing and unpredictable, and it's essential to be aware of this to assess the consequences and avoid potential negative outcomes. The Zen story of "Maybe" illustrates the unknowability of complex systems and the constant change that can bring both good and bad fortune. Another related example is the transformation brought by cognitive decline, which can lead to a loss of self-awareness and potentially a more contented life in ignorance. Ultimately, we need to recognize that technology is not a simple tool for maximizing our utility but a continuous interaction that requires our active engagement and assessment.
Is Happiness Worth the Cost of Cognitive Decline?: The ethical discussion surrounding cognitive change should consider the value of cognitive capacities and the distinction between pre- and post-change selves, not just the transformed agent's perspective.
While there are clear negative consequences to cognitive decline or change brought about by various factors, such as technology or becoming a parent, it's not always clear whether these changes are inherently bad. The speaker raises the hypothetical example of undergoing a frontal lobotomy, which would bring about happiness and contentment but also result in a significant loss of cognitive capacities. The question then becomes, is it worth sacrificing intellectual abilities for happiness? The speaker suggests that there is no straightforward answer to this question, and that the ethical discussion must shift from focusing solely on the transformed agent's perspective to considering other factors, such as the value of cognitive capacities and the principle distinction between the pre- and post-change selves. Ultimately, the speaker argues that there is no clear-cut way to determine which way of being is better, and that the ethical discussion must be nuanced and complex to account for these complexities.
Consider the long-term impacts of our actions on complex systems: Avoid transformative changes that limit the sustainability of complex systems and strive for choices that promote their continuity and health
We have a responsibility to consider the long-term impacts of our actions on complex systems, such as nature or civilization. Transformative changes that limit the sustainability of these systems, even if the exact outcomes are uncertain, should be avoided. Being omni-considerate, or able to make distinctions and considerations for various stakeholders and consequences, can help build trust and make better decisions. Ultimately, we must strive to make choices that promote the continuity and health of these systems, rather than causing irreversible damage. The world is complex and chaotic, and we cannot know everything, but making more considerate choices is a step in the right direction. Humility in the face of the unknown and the complexity of the world is essential.
Exploring the ethical implications of technology's impact on ourselves and society: Reflect on the value of technology in our lives, strive for a humane approach to its development and use, and consider the ethical implications of tech companies' decisions.
Our use of technology can have profound impacts on ourselves and society, and it's crucial to consider the ethical implications of these impacts. The decision-making processes of tech companies may not always have individuals' best interests at heart, but the technology itself can also bring about positive change. The philosopher LA Paul, who explores questions about the self, decision making, and essence, emphasizes the complexity of this issue. The Center for Humane Technology is hiring for two full-time roles, Director of Mobilization and Digital Manager, for those passionate about promoting responsible and humane technology. Ultimately, we as individuals must reflect on the value of technology in our lives and strive for a humane approach to its development and use.