“Even the most powerful innovations are merely tools we can choose to use wisely or craft into amplifiers of human folly.”
—Paul Saffo | |
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Is technology making the world a better place?
In the last dispatch we’ve acknowledged the effect technology has on our lives but also wondered how to effectively disconnect from it. Today we’re taking a spin on another main theme of &yetConf—the impact the software we write can have on creating a better future for all of us.
Every single day we see more product launches; unfortunately most of them cater to the privileged and wealthy, amplifying the class difference, rather than bridging the gaps and working towards equal opportunity. While we can deliver meals, pre-made cocktails and coffee almost instantly to our doorstep at any time of the day, have others run our errands or pay for a twenty minute nap in the center of San Francisco, we still haven’t tackled the problems of world hunger, lack of drinkable water or curing diseases amongst others.
We’ve grown used to boasting about our programming skills and achievements. We’ve stayed blind to our own biases and privilege, thinking that the apps we create are indeed making the world a better place. The question remains—is that the case? And if yes, do they positively influence everyone?
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| &yetConf is next week! Just a couple tickets left. |
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