The Absent-Minded Professor

The Absent-Minded Professor Substack explores the intersection of technology, education, and human flourishing. It emphasizes the importance of a prototyping mindset, examines the trade-offs of innovation, and advocates for intentional use and containment of technology to enhance human connections, education, and community building without sacrificing individual well-being.

Technology and Innovation Education Strategies Human Flourishing AI in Daily Life Technological Ethics Creativity and Innovation Human-Technology Interaction Character and Virtue in Education Community and Social Support Effective Communication

The hottest Substack posts of The Absent-Minded Professor

And their main takeaways

Our Slovenly Willingness

275 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Devices Ethics Innovation Critique Future
  1. Apple's Vision Pro is pushing for a future of computing that may erode our sense of community.
  2. The increasing closeness of technology to us poses a new layer of distraction and potential harm to individual and communal well-being.
  3. Critically examining our reliance on technology can help us preserve our connection to nature and community over a machine-driven lifestyle.

Why We Build It Matters

275 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Innovation Humanity AGI
  1. When building technology, consider both strengths and weaknesses to extend humanity rather than bypass it.
  2. Human nature remains a common denominator in technological advancements.
  3. Question the motives behind building Artificial General Intelligence and consider if it aligns with creating the desired world.

Containing the Coming Wave

275 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Future Tech Reflection
  1. We are in the midst of a technological revolution involving AI and synthetic biology.
  2. Containing technology means staying in control of its impact and potential failures.
  3. Important considerations for new technologies include power asymmetry, hyper-evolution, generality, and autonomy.

Contain Technology Lest It Contain You

176 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Ethics AI
  1. Understanding human nature and technology is key to successfully containing technology.
  2. Technology reflects and amplifies human issues, so addressing our vulnerabilities is crucial.
  3. Containment strategies are important to consider when engaging with new technologies to prevent being controlled by them.
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AI × Education: Some Thoughts on How I'm Approaching My Courses This Fall

235 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🚌 Education Technology Assessment Relationships Trust Teaching
  1. Spend time building relationships and explaining AI tools instead of blocking or preventing students from using them.
  2. Focus on building trust with students rather than setting traps or relying solely on technology to prevent cheating.
  3. Consider re-evaluating assessments to ensure they align with learning objectives, especially if AI tools expose weaknesses.

The Limits of a Mechanical Sparring Partner

98 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Different roles in education require different skills and approaches.
  2. AI in education should be used thoughtfully and not as a complete replacement for human interaction.
  3. While AI tools can be helpful, the value of human interaction in education is irreplaceable.

The Tapestry of Technology

39 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Ethics Innovation
  1. A.I. technology is rapidly advancing and will reshape knowledge work.
  2. Consider the impact of A.I. by viewing technology as a tapestry of interconnected elements.
  3. Reflect on the distinction between holistic and prescriptive technologies in the context of A.I.'s integration in work.