3 ms·

> We are used to distrust humans. I think this assertion might be cultural. I don’t believe that I distrust humans by default, I think I’m actually predisposed

> We are used to distrust humans. I think this assertion might be cultural. I don’t believe that I distrust humans by default, I think I’m actually predisposed to trusting them and wanting to help or cooperate with them.

Zambyte 2y ago
What is your credit card number? If you don't feel comfortable telling me that, would you instead take a calculator of your choosing, and find the cosine of your credit card number, and behold the mighty value it returns? Or maybe would you buy something online? :) I think you would probably be fine with the latter but not the former. People often don't even realize when they are sharing information with tools (see: how much people carry their phone everywhere). But you would probably feel uncomfortable telling me, a random internet stranger, everywhere you have brought your phone with you in the last month, let alone ever. We have a certain degree of trust for people and a certain degree of trust for tools. I think people almost strictly will trust the latter more than the former with sensitive information.
- nozzlegear 2y ago
  Ah, now you're asking me for a piece of info that we're all predisposed not to share =P. You're right, in that situation I think everyone's much likely to give a credit card number over to a tool with no personality and less likely to give it over to a human. > We have a certain degree of trust for people and a certain degree of trust for tools. I think people almost strictly will trust the latter more than the former with sensitive information. I agree with this, I just personally feel that I lean more toward trusting people. But honestly it all depends on the context of what information is being asked. Your credit card number is a great example. For an example on the other end of the spectrum, I'd be a thousand times more likely to hand over my real email address to a person than I'd be to give it to a tool (i.e. web form, app, etc.). These days I only assume the worst intent when something asks for my email address, but with a real person I know they just want to talk to me.

Zambyte 2y ago

What is your credit card number? If you don't feel comfortable telling me that, would you instead take a calculator of your choosing, and find the cosine of your credit card number, and behold the mighty value it returns? Or maybe would you buy something online? :) I think you would probably be fine with the latter but not the former. People often don't even realize when they are sharing information with tools (see: how much people carry their phone everywhere). But you would probably feel uncomfortable telling me, a random internet stranger, everywhere you have brought your phone with you in the last month, let alone ever. We have a certain degree of trust for people and a certain degree of trust for tools. I think people almost strictly will trust the latter more than the former with sensitive information.

nozzlegear 2y ago
Ah, now you're asking me for a piece of info that we're all predisposed not to share =P. You're right, in that situation I think everyone's much likely to give a credit card number over to a tool with no personality and less likely to give it over to a human. > We have a certain degree of trust for people and a certain degree of trust for tools. I think people almost strictly will trust the latter more than the former with sensitive information. I agree with this, I just personally feel that I lean more toward trusting people. But honestly it all depends on the context of what information is being asked. Your credit card number is a great example. For an example on the other end of the spectrum, I'd be a thousand times more likely to hand over my real email address to a person than I'd be to give it to a tool (i.e. web form, app, etc.). These days I only assume the worst intent when something asks for my email address, but with a real person I know they just want to talk to me.