The power of tech corporations is a threat to democracy, yet governments are reluctant to take action. This refreshing book picks apart the ideology that holds them back
big book is a welcome arrival on the scene. Its focus is unaccountable tech power and how it might be tamed. But unlike the many other works which critique, say, machine learning technology on the grounds of racial or gender bias or its environmental impact, Susskind raises the deeper question of why such powerful discriminatory technologies can be deployed at all.
Facebook to keep ‘paid misinformation’ from influencing the election”, while over on Capitol Hill, Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, “plaintively asked advertisers to tell technology companies to reduce online misinformation”. The name that Susskind gives to this slavish mindset is “market individualism”, an ideology that sees society “as the product of a grand contractual bargain between each of its members, a vehicle for the pursuit of individual advantage, with no overarching pursuit of the common good”. It’s what I would call neoliberalism, in the sense that Gary Gerstle uses it in his new book,, and Susskind doubtless had reasons of his own for avoiding such an inflammatory term.
The remainder of the book is about what we should do differently if we do not wish to live as slaves to tech power. It involves taking seriously republican principles about not tolerating unaccountable power, after which it sets out a prospectus for a new system of republican governance of the industry.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why Appen’s big problem is that it’s not a tech companyAt the heart of Appen’s woes, analysts say, is one simple fact – it is still a services business.
Read more »
Bitcoin value slumps below $20,000 in cryptocurrencies turmoilDigital asset slides to lowest level since November 2020 as rate rises increase pressure on markets
Read more »
Digital maps to drive out rascally rabbits from Phillip IslandLandcare managers are using digital technology to tackle Phillip Island’s rabbit problem. 🐇 | bpreiss
Read more »
£68m of cocaine delivered with bananas to two supermarkets in Czech RepublicCzech police searching more stores on same delivery route while contacting overseas counterparts about shipment from Central America
Read more »
Crypto panic as digital assets follow share prices in a downward spiralLast week bitcoin fell 31% and Celsius put a hold on withdrawals – and some fear the turmoil is far from over
Read more »
Crypto panic as digital assets follow share prices in a downward spiralLast week bitcoin fell 31% and Celsius put a hold on withdrawals – and some fear the turmoil is far from over
Read more »