limitations of technology

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Technology, while advancing rapidly, faces various limitations impacting society, cognition, and even the natural world. Here are some insights shared by experts:

  1. Scope of Use: Gordon Hempton underscores the limitation of technology as more focused on entertainment and commercial use, rather than genuine information dissemination. He emphasizes limiting his own use to avoid constant competition for attention wrought by the capitalistic system 1.

  2. Optimism and Regulation: Scott Doorley points out that the initial optimism in technology aimed at saving the world often overlooks the necessity for constraints. He underscores the contrast between heavily regulated fields like atomic energy and the comparatively free commercial tech sector, which may lead to unforeseen consequences due to lack of limits 2.

  3. Public Trust in AI: John Donahoe discusses the erosion of public trust due to biases in algorithms, brittleness of systems, and challenges in explainability. Addressing these limitations is crucial for AI to be safely integrated in critical areas like healthcare and autonomous vehicles 3.

    Limiting Technology

    Gordon shares his unique approach to technology, explaining how he limits his use of cell phones, radios, television, and other forms of media in order to prioritize real-life experiences and face-to-face interactions for information gathering.
    On Being with Krista Tippett
    [Unedited] Gordon Hempton with Krista Tippett
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  4. Health Technology: Scott Benner highlights both the marvel and limitations of diabetes technology, stating that while current tools are life-changing, they are still far from perfect and have quirks that require user adaptability 4.

  5. Scientific Inquiry: Michael Shermer notes that technological advancements continually reshape our understanding of the universe. However, current limitations in technology mean many aspects, like dark matter and dark energy, are merely placeholders for phenomena we have yet to comprehend fully 5.

  6. Geopolitical Impact: Mark Suster discusses the limitations of tech and venture capital focusing too singularly on technological advancements, ignoring the broader impacts of geopolitical movements and resource distribution, which are more determinative for global stability than tech alone 6.

  7. Complexity vs. Complicatedness: Jordan Hall explains the inherent limitation of technology tied to human cognitive models, which simplifies and abstracts reality. This often leads to unintended consequences and externalities, such as environmental damage, which technology alone cannot resolve 7.

These discussions illustrate that while technology has substantial potential, its limitations in terms of regulation, public trust, environmental impact, and cognitive boundaries need conscientious addressing.

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