[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Are we the Masters or does Technology Control us? ” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1611327266992{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}” el_class=”mainHeaderBlog”][vc_custom_heading text=”Technology is subtly using us” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1611322688048{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}” el_class=”subHeaderBlog”][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#9f3333″ el_class=”divider” css=”.vc_custom_1609088512026{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”1346″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1611327195943{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”bodyTextBlog” css=”.vc_custom_1611326301246{padding-left: 10px !important;}”]It could be said the Covid-19 pandemic has speeded up our use of technology – we use it for nearly every activity. Perhaps during this time, we should explore if the technology we use is controlling and subtly using us! Whilst we’re at it, might we consider how we can, through the design and use of technology, use it to help rather than hinder?
As technologists, it’s our job to not only focus on the making and learning of these technologies but to consider the implications of using and implementing them. It’s not an easy task either since ethics are subjective.
How do technologies shape and control our society?
Persuading and influencing
It’s effortless to tell the world our opinions over the internet and on social media without much thought or accuracy behind them.
For example, the US elections and the Covid pandemic are two events which have seen a flurry of fake and opinion-based news. Perhaps these will go down in history as the most controversial topics on the internet?!
The ex-president Donald Trump tweeted over 34,000 times on Twitter during his 4 years of presidency. Much of that information was considered false and finally in 2020 Twitter added a fact-checker to his tweets. His views played a big role in the chaotic scenes that unfolded in the US capitol. His Twitter account has since been suspended.
Who decides our fate?
However, the point here isn’t whether Trump was right or wrong. Instead, we may ask the questions: who has the power to decide who is right and wrong and who benefits from this? Controversy not only sells news but insights panic – there’s plenty of money, political power and leverage to be made from a panicked nation.
Algorithm bias
If we only pay attention to red cars then we’ll notice them more. Through machine learning, the algorithms used by Facebook and other social media give us more of what we want. That applies to everything: political, environmental, scientific and so on. If we only pay attention to the side we support then we only ever see one side of the story. Cognitive resonance can also be at play: rejecting new information that conflicts with existing beliefs.
Types of biased algorithms
Algorithms are fed on a diet of data programmed by people so the bias may not start with you but you’re still none the wiser, it isn’t helped by the fact they are constantly changing. These biases determine who gets into university, who gets a job and even how long a prison sentence could last. All life-changing stuff I’m sure you’ll agree!
Source: Forbes
“Interaction bias: facial recognition can often exclude people of colour because the data only used caucasian people.
Latent bias: an algorithm may incorrectly identify something based on historical data or because of a stereotype that already exists in society.
Selection bias: a dataset overrepresents one certain group and underrepresents another.”
User Experience (UX)
User experience is meant to make technologies user-friendly: more intuitive which is important because we want the user to have an easier life.
These psychological experiences are constantly studied and well documented but all include a degree of manipulation. Essentially UX is there to lead a user through a specific journey, not necessarily the journey the user needs or wants but at the benefit of the business or organisation.
It could be said UX is dumbing the user down since they don’t have to think for themselves. When you take into consideration how much time we spend online, that’s a lot of time not thinking ‘for’ ourselves! Could this have a negative impact on offline behaviour too? We are already seeing a loss in fine motor skills in our children since they’re less likely to use a pen and more likely to pick up an iPad. How is this affecting their relationship with words and language and later on in life, their thought processes?[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1344″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1611325993745{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInRight” el_class=”bodyTextBlog” css=”.vc_custom_1611324220543{padding-left: 10px !important;}”]
What are the benefits of technology?
Internet
A worldwide web of products, services and people at the click of a button. The internet made learning, teaching, shopping, making friends, and finding long lost relatives online much easier and convenient. However, how many of us think about where our data goes and how it’s used? We give it away freely but data is the new currency.
Smartphones
One of the most used devices and it allows us to be connected to others all over the world 24/7 through the internet. In the time of the pandemic, having a mobile phone and internet connection has proved to be a lifesaver for many. Yet how many of us think about how our smartphones and other mobile devices lead us, use our daily interactions to learn about us and interrupt our thoughts and daily routines?
Social media
Perhaps Facebook is the most obvious when thinking about social media. Facebook is wonderful, it’s given small businesses the chance to use social media marketing to grow their customer base. It’s provided the everyday person a chance to connect with existing and new friends. Yet studies suggest we feel lonelier more than ever thanks to social media. How many of us read the T&Cs and fully understand that our data isn’t our own and what are we giving Facebook permission to do with it? [/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#9f3333″ el_class=”divider” css=”.vc_custom_1609088522417{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInUp” el_class=”bodyTextBlog” css=”.vc_custom_1611325108882{padding-left: 10px !important;}”]
How can we prevent technology from controlling us?
You may not be surprised to hear there are no black and white answers. We can’t control technology and its advancements but we can still decide on how to interact with it.
Internet addictions
In 1995, Newsweek began to report that up to 3% online users had ‘series addictions’ and spent most of their waking time surfing and chatting (Hamilton and Kalb, 1995). Although it still isn’t recognised as an official mental illness, there is an array of counselling and psychological services to help get us offline.
Most smartphones come with wellbeing settings to allow you to monitor and restrict your time spent online. There is still a growing concern among parents and their children’s internet usage and the likes of parental controls have become one way of limiting their child’s online time.
Technological advancements
As the saying goes… ‘If you can’t beat them, join them’ and I mean this in a way that encourages you to learn about the application of technology and psychological tricks the industry plays on the user. I tend to think those informed, will make better choices.
Seek out opinions different from your own
Confuse algorithms by clicking on things you normally wouldn’t. It’s healthy to discuss, debate and consider the other side of the story whether you believe in them or not. Always ask yourself the questions: Is this real? Is it a minority view? It’s also healthy to accept we may not always be right.
To conclude…
If history has shown us anything about dictatorships: they don’t encourage freedom of expression, inclusivity, ethics and at the very least the ability to question.
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