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> I'm not sure how we really get to the point where technology is a force used for leveling the playing field and not a force used for exacerbating it. Technol

> I'm not sure how we really get to the point where technology is a force used for leveling the playing field and not a force used for exacerbating it. Technology is like a stick. You could use it to sow seeds into the ground, or to beat people up with it. Its purpose is entirely infused into it by its user. The nature of the stick is irrelevant, it's the wielder that really matters.

djcapelis 11y ago
Absolutely, but isn't it interesting how giving the entire world sticks doesn't always lead to equality? First off, we aren't equally giving everyone in the world sticks. And second off, I think I agree with the point that even if we did, those sticks would likely end up being used to accentuate divides, not smooth them. Believe me, I'm not saying we should go backwards. I'm just saying real effects come from our work and it makes sense to concern ourselves with them.
- Kalium 11y ago
  It does make sense to concern ourselves with the results. At the same time, if we allow ourselves to be paralyzed by our inevitable inability to predict the results of our work, we will never accomplish anything.
JoshTriplett 11y ago
> Technology is like a stick. You could use it to sow seeds into the ground, or to beat people up with it. Its purpose is entirely infused into it by its user. The nature of the stick is irrelevant, it's the wielder that really matters. Not all technology is neutral; some technologies are primarily used to help or to harm, and many technologies enforce policies in lieu of humans. It's reasonable to ask people to think about what they're doing when they develop technology.
- Florin_Andrei 11y ago
  It's true. After all, building a tank is pretty much a declaration of purpose and intent. I was trying to emphasize that the responsibility is overwhelmingly resting on the user's shoulders. When it comes to doing good vs. doing bad things, technology itself is merely an accessory. We should pay attention to people first, technology second. But yes, we should pay some attention to technology - I agree with that.

djcapelis 11y ago

Absolutely, but isn't it interesting how giving the entire world sticks doesn't always lead to equality? First off, we aren't equally giving everyone in the world sticks. And second off, I think I agree with the point that even if we did, those sticks would likely end up being used to accentuate divides, not smooth them. Believe me, I'm not saying we should go backwards. I'm just saying real effects come from our work and it makes sense to concern ourselves with them.

Kalium 11y ago
It does make sense to concern ourselves with the results. At the same time, if we allow ourselves to be paralyzed by our inevitable inability to predict the results of our work, we will never accomplish anything.

JoshTriplett 11y ago

> Technology is like a stick. You could use it to sow seeds into the ground, or to beat people up with it. Its purpose is entirely infused into it by its user. The nature of the stick is irrelevant, it's the wielder that really matters. Not all technology is neutral; some technologies are primarily used to help or to harm, and many technologies enforce policies in lieu of humans. It's reasonable to ask people to think about what they're doing when they develop technology.

Florin_Andrei 11y ago
It's true. After all, building a tank is pretty much a declaration of purpose and intent. I was trying to emphasize that the responsibility is overwhelmingly resting on the user's shoulders. When it comes to doing good vs. doing bad things, technology itself is merely an accessory. We should pay attention to people first, technology second. But yes, we should pay some attention to technology - I agree with that.