We are seeing computers exponentially proliferate some of the tasks they excel at: numbers, statistics, labelling people, copying, collecting data and mass surveillance. Handling humans as unwieldy collections of data points. (1/7)
There is less talk about using computers with intent to boost the values we as humans wish to proliferate: compassion, love, care, connection and belonging.
Leading to a failure of acknowledging how the former is antithetical to the latter. (2/7)
When promoting compassionate tech I’m not saying ”stop using computers”, I’m saying ”stop using computers to abuse humanity and planet.” I want the difference to become self-evident.
Computers can act as aids for compassion, love, care, connection and belonging. (3/7)
Think for example of games, accessible long-distance communication and support for creative practice.
But computers act as aids through human instruction and control. (4/7)
By giving space and support for self-determination and decision-making without undue pressure, coercion, deception or other forms of persuasion.
Conversely, computers can excel at tearing down compassion, love, care, connection and belonging. By demoting humans to mere data shadows. (5/7)
By removing human self-expression.
Sometimes that destruction is deliberate, but often it is oblivious. Makers are getting ever better at making harmful machines that appear benevolent.
The only way forward is learning to recognize the harm, talking about it and responding to it. (6/7)
And remember: Machines are never autonomous. Machines are products of human intent. We are not talking about machines harming humans. It has always been, and continues to be, humans harming other humans.
The ones who harm can be held accountable.
https://axbom.com/elements/ (7/7)