This text is all about the approach technologists can take to realize the effect their products have on the world
I need more evidence of specific companies and what they are doing that they think is good that is actually hurting people
Also, more research into specific psychology for the individuals that are taking on these products
How can this psychology be applied or acknowledged in order to make real change instead of pretend to
What are examples of companies that don’t subscribe to confirmation bias or their own ego
What resources are available for companies that want to have checks and balances on what they are doing?
Diversity is one resource
Should all companies be required to prove that their idea works before trying it? Will this halt innovation?
This article on Edge gives a great summary for argumentative theory and the accompanying book goes into great detail on the in depth psychology aspects.
I need to research more on this psychology in general because it applies to many aspect I’m interested in.
How do people make the decision that their idea is a good one and decide to pursue it?
How do other people look at that idea and choose to support it? What role does one’s peer group have in influencing their decision making
Is it better to have a more diverse group of people that can provide feedback on your project/idea?
How does one go about having more diversity in the tech industry?
Should we keep the institutional systems that regulate new ideas and try to ensure they contribute to social good - even if this suppresses innovation?
How would we go about doing this?
What is the incentive for tech companies to self-regulate?
These two articles were helpful since they were specific examples of tech initiatives in the education sector
I’m not sure I want to focus on education - that may be too much of a side tangent
If I do, the digital divide is interesting because lack of exposure to technology means certain people are behind
This is related to the wage gap - how can people afford to get technology so they can contribute to society
It’s not just about money and education, it’s tech skills as well
Technology can be really helpful in the education sector in some instances - Or at least it seems like it.
There are certain aspects of technology that provide new ways of solving issues
VR, personalized learning
How do we test these methods and see if they’re really better than traditional education
Research the concern that these technologies aren’t really helping.
Is there a generalized study on incorporating tech in the classroom that provides insight?
Besides just tech, how do we measure growth in general?
Social good for the education sector could be a good case study lens
Why does it matter? - Because education bridges digital divide and leads to diversity in the workplace and people who understand how to build new technology based on their needs
Companies really want soft-skills
Collaboration, idea generation
People who are making education products focus on the wrong things - information and gamification
How do we determine the correct focus and result for tech products
Another case study could be the use of AI and the question of privacy for big companies like Google and Facebook
Sure, they have people using their software, but is it really benefiting people’s lives
Psychology of addiction
Haven’t really read yet but seems cool.
Searchable Thematic Keywords/concepts:
Tech for social good
Technology and Compassion
Human centered design
Philosophy of business
Capitalism, consumerism
Positive focus: Startups and companies
Sustainability
Open-source
Research-oriented
Forwarding scientific knowledge
Building things that help us understand the world and ourselves, not just things that seem cool
Need-based
Legal regulations
Customer feedback
Awareness of external costs
Tribalism
Argumentative theory
Negative focus - a result of social media/ingroups
Confirmation bias
Ego
Sunken-cost fallacy
Growth versus progress
Materialism for consumers
Why do we always seem to want more even if it won’t help us?
Potentially: Bigger companies
AI and privacy for social good
Google, Facebook, Apple data issues
Psychology of addiction
Tendency to only want to associate w people like oneself - also included in startups/idea formation - need to listen to other opinions, but it’s hard w social media
Social media consequences
Echo Chambers of opinion
Sweatshops/tragedy of the commons
Abuse of resources
Education - Could be cool to talk about since what we learn about leaning applies to how companies can learn to serve people better.
Soft skills
VR
Gamification
Personalized learning
Habit tracking/big data
Digital divide
Free Speech in Tech industry
Diversity of opinion
Democratic process for allowing startups in cities
Current government systems
Resources for companies to realize their true effects on the world.
Conceptual Questions Thesis (basically just questions since I have so many):
With all of the advances in technology nowadays, how do companies and individuals ensure that the products being developed are really helping people? How do we determine ways to use resources most effectively and cooperate to balance creative ideas with rational thinking? How have startups on a mission to change the world revolutionized the education sector, for better or for worse, and how do we measure those effects? Also, should society encourage products that are addictive or have unintended consequences (like environmental damage, privacy loss, health effects, or addiction)? If so, where should the line be drawn? Or do we just let silicon valley capitalism run its course and hope philanthropic individuals will realize when their plans won’t work.
Hypothetical Essay Prompt:
How do we ensure technological advances build a better world? What are the complexity of trying to help people with tech since we don’t necessarily know what will be good for them?
Research structure:
Philosophy of decision making, diversity of opinion, freedom of speech, confirmation bias, sunken-cost fallacy,
I’m starting with this to have an understanding of the incentives of entrepreneurs and analyze their projects
Philosophy of compassion - deep dive into why exactly doing one’s part to benefit the world is desirable
Companies/specific ideas (In education with tech sector?)
Specific companies that have put a lot in to their ideas but have failed to actually produce results
Ideas that have worked and show that tech provides some sort of edge to users
Determine what kind of questions companies had to ask and problems they had to solve to actually help their clientele.
Human centered and research oriented design - what do these buzzwords mean
VR vs. gamification vs. personalized learning - which aspects are good, which aren’t helpful
How company mottos differ from their effects (Facebook: connecting the world - does this but what about privacy + addiction)
I also booked an appointment with the librarian for EECS!