Category: Social Implications of Technology

A headshot of SSIT's 2021-2022 President, Clint Andrews

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Fifty Years Hence

By on July 6th, 2022 in Articles, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, President's Message, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact

Where do historical debates take us? Their political and economic contexts are similar to ours, and even the list of technological issues is familiar. Many decades later, institutions still feel shaky, economies remain inequitable, geopolitics are increasingly multipolar, and societies are riven by technological change.

The Digital Transformation and Modern Indentured Servitude

By on June 22nd, 2022 in Articles, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Editorial & Opinion, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Privacy & Security, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact

It would be good if whenever a client connected to an http server, or indeed any app connected with a central server, the server responded with a corresponding acknowledgment of data, along the lines of “Before we begin our session this morning, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owner of the data which is being transferred, and respect rights to privacy, identity, location, attention and personhood.”

The Intelligence Factor: Technology and the Missing Link

By on June 20th, 2022 in Articles, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ethics, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact

One can see the emergence of ever more efficient forms of intelligence as networked self-similar patterns that are embedded in the universe at its core, driven as they are by the sustained maximization of entropy as a causal force. As a maximizer of future freedom of action, the very existence of gravity can be viewed as a form of embedded, purposeful, goal-directed form of intelligence.

IEEE ISTAS 2021 – Digital and Societal Transformations

By on June 15th, 2022 in Conferences, Social Implications of Technology, Videos

The Special Session “Digital and Societal Transformations” took place during IEEE International Symposium on Technology and Society (ISTAS)  2021 on 31 October 2021….  Read More

IEEE ISTAS 2021 – “Investigating Targeted Espionage: Methods, Findings, Implications”, Ron Deibert

By on June 15th, 2022 in Conferences, Human Impacts, Social Implications of Technology, Videos

Ron Deibert presented “Investigating Targeted Espionage: Methods, Findings, Implications” as a Keynote during IEEE International Symposium on Technology and Society…  Read More

BOOK REVIEW: Why Trust Science?

By on June 10th, 2022 in Articles, Book Reviews, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact

Oreskes’ answer to the question “Why Trust Science” is that science is trustworthy to the extent that the social process by which scientists vet research findings and reach (or fail to reach) a consensus about them is open to a diverse community of scientists with ample opportunity to make objections and critiques and have that feedback taken seriously.

BOOK REVIEW: Talk Radio’s America: How an Industry Took Over a Political Party That Took Over the United States

By on May 8th, 2022 in Book Reviews, Communication Technology, Ethics, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact

The book documents Limbaugh’s formative role in turning an old technology into an instrument of power that transformed the Republican Party and political discourse in the United States. The talk-radio host proved to be a success as both a propagandist and a ratings builder. Station owners were quick to join his syndicated network and to hire personalities who combined Limbaugh’s smooth delivery, ability to empathize with his audience, biting humor, and relentless attack on all things liberal—real or imagined. Profit mattered but winning the “culture war” counted for as much if not more than Rosenwald cares to consider.