Generally, advocate for less technology integration into culture if that makes sense. I don't believe there is a way to get away from the surveillance state without removing technology integration personally. I am specifically speaking of consumer technology, mobile phones, addictive software, social technology and so on. I'm not saying social media does not have it's importance, but IMO it should not be stable enough to form careers from, if that makes sense. The economic exchange of user engagement should not be sustainable enough.
As far as software goes, I build and advocate self-hosting, people should physically own their data, and privacy should not be on the table as an economic good to be traded for convenience. Think one form of identification should not be the single key to my personal life and so on.
If it helps explain it, I'm pretty opposed to DIDs at the moment. I want to own my data, but Id rather carry a briefcase around with my medical history from doc to doc rather than hold a key that just encrypts data on other peoples servers.
I would add to the first part to say that excessive integration of technology into culture is, in fact, anti-culture. Culture is life-giving and creative, and technology, at its worst, drains our life and creativity.
Self-hosting is good. If we're gonna use digital tech, it's good for us to have some modicum of ability and control with what goes on "behind the curtain" of the user interface.
Absolutely. I haven't evaluated the position of technology as antithetical to life and creativity. hmmm.
The overly simple motivation for me is:
I hate going out in general public or in company with friends where there default reaction is to pull out their phone. Or being around phone zombies in general. College campus was bad, mostly with headphones and such. I enjoyed exchanging smiles, hellos, and how are you's to strangers, but most have headphones in or stare at screens.
As an engineer I don't want to be responsible for endorsing, or encouraging what the world has become due to tech. I do wonder if there is such as thing as too much convenience, I mean I suppose there is always too much of something, but where there line is IDK.
Yeah we've collectively forgotten how to talk to strangers. I'm often guilty of it as much as the next guy.
The attention to the consequences of your work as an engineer is commendable.
Also I'd argue it isn't really a general thing either. Plenty of older people 50s+ are just as bad or worse at this in my experience. Maybe not with a phone in their face, but equally awkward or bothered in public.
It's a skill. I think part of that skill must come from taking in interesting and beautiful things, so that you can make meaningful conversation with people.
First, though, one needs a conversation starter and a bit of courage. That takes practice.
Any tips? On the first part?
Not sure, as it's something I'm still learning. Some ideas, though:
- Read a lot. Fiction, nonfiction, essays, and occasional news. Or if reading isn't always practical, podcasts and audio books do a pretty good job in the place of physical books.
- Talk about meaningful things with your friends. Make connections. Think about how the movie you just saw relates to the essay you just read.
- Engage in hobbies. Something that interests you can you can get excited about with other people.
- Jog or garden or do something physical outside, that makes you attend to the weather, the skies, the seasons, and the natural world.
- Ask questions and listen.
- Laugh at other people's jokes, and at your own.
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