The hottest Tech Ethics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

substack f***'d up and now we have to talk about it

astrology for writers • 9512 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Tech Ethics Content Moderation Online Communities Digital Publishing
  1. There are Nazis on Substack, and the platform's founders shirk responsibility for content moderation.
  2. The issue of ethical consumerism is complex and challenging, with no pure choices under capitalism.
  3. Supporting marginalized artists may involve navigating difficult choices between audience support and distribution channels, like Substack.

Marshall McLuhan on Why Content Moderation is a Red Herring

After Babel • 2883 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media Childhood Content Moderation Online safety Tech Ethics
  1. Content moderation is essential, but focusing solely on it overlooks larger issues related to the harmful effects of platforms on kids
  2. The harmful impact of social media on children is not just about the content they consume, but also about the changes in childhood due to excessive screen time
  3. Implementing norms like delaying smartphones until high school could help in restoring a healthier, play-based childhood for kids

Why the internet isn't fun anymore + A.I. and magic

Read Max • 1879 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Internet Artificial Intelligence Culture Silicon Valley Tech Ethics
  1. Many feel the internet is less fun now because of changing demographics and shifting cultural preferences.
  2. The internet may not be objectively worse, but it is used differently by various audiences.
  3. The embrace of AI in tech culture is influenced by historical themes of hierarchical society and authoritarian politics.
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Overthinking Elon Musk

Read Max • 2377 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Social media Tech Ethics Business Strategies Digital Advertising
  1. Elon Musk may be making decisions for Twitter based on private-equity strategies to grow revenue and margins quickly.
  2. Product changes on Twitter, like removing headlines, may be aimed at increasing metrics to attract advertisers rather than harming journalism intentionally.
  3. Many negative changes on Twitter may be due to structural power dynamics and financial pressures rather than Elon Musk's personal ideology.

Copilot Designer Poses Public Safety Risk, According To Microsoft Employee

Teaching computers how to talk • 52 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Microsoft Public Safety Tech Ethics
  1. A Microsoft employee raised concerns about the AI image generator Copilot Designer posing public safety risks, but management did not take action.
  2. Despite known risks with Copilot Designer, Microsoft continues to market it without appropriate disclosures.
  3. Jones's revelations highlight the need for transparency in disclosing AI risks, especially when products are marketed to children.

An unbelievable opportunity

Charles Eisenstein • 12 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Digital Media Automation Artificial Intelligence Tech Ethics
  1. Investing in low-tech enterprises can be a unique and profitable opportunity, even in a world dominated by high-tech innovations.
  2. The rise of AI-generated content poses challenges in different sectors like academia, legal writing, and cultural preservation, questioning the authenticity of digital information.
  3. Engaging with physical artifacts like typewriters can offer a tangible connection to reality and a break from the isolation often experienced in the digital world.

My take on the OpenAI saga (bordering on conspiracy theory)

Laszlo’s Newsletter • 37 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Tech Ethics Innovation Regulation Corporate strategy
  1. Misalignment in startups can lead to problems, particularly when it comes to maintaining a clear direction in the long run.
  2. OpenAI began with aspirations for creating open-source AGI, but evolved over time to face challenges around commercialization and public perception.
  3. The explosion of AI advancements, especially with tools like ChatGPT, sparked global interest and scrutiny, leading to discussions on regulation and the future direction of OpenAI.

Resisting Deterministic Thinking

Data: Made Not Found (by danah) • 145 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Future Innovation Tech Ethics Decision-making
  1. Deterministic thinking can lead to polarization and distrust in discussions about the future.
  2. Embracing probabilistic thinking is essential for understanding how technologies shape different possible futures.
  3. Projectories can be both beneficial and detrimental, highlighting the need for more nuanced and reflexive thinking about the impacts of technology.

Why I Stopped Using Paid AI Services

The AI Observer • 5 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Research Artificial Intelligence Tech Ethics Innovation
  1. Understanding different scales can provide valuable perspective on personal and global challenges.
  2. Recognizing the interconnectivity of all things can help in decision-making and problem-solving.
  3. Developing scientific literacy by understanding scales in the universe is crucial for informed decision-making in various aspects of modern society.

Read the Roon

thezvi • 3 HN points • 05 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Social media Mysticism Tech Ethics Existential Risk
  1. Roon is a key figure in discussing AI capabilities and existential risks, promoting thoughtful engagement over fear or denial.
  2. Individuals can impact the development and outcomes of AI by taking action and advocating for responsible practices.
  3. Balancing concerns about AI with a sense of agency and purpose can lead to more constructive discussions and actions towards shaping a beneficial future.

Vision Con

The Convivial Society • 2 HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Tech news Digital Media Virtual reality Tech Ethics
  1. Apple's release of Vision Pro headset has sparked discussions on the implications of technology on our perception of time and attention.
  2. The debate around using Vision Pro in everyday scenarios raises questions about living as a 'creature' vs. living as a 'machine.'
  3. Embracing fullness of presence and depth of experience in everyday moments may lead to a renewed sense of connection and enchantment with the real world.

Are all hard technical problems AI problems now?

Perceptions • 35 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🕹 Technology AI Deep Learning Automation Programming Tech Ethics
  1. AI has made significant progress in solving complex technical problems in various domains.
  2. Many technical problems can be boiled down to optimization/minimization challenges, which AI is well-equipped to handle.
  3. The advancement in AI technology raises questions about the future of work, centralization, and the impact on different professions.

Searching for the Exit Routes

New World Same Humans • 28 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Future AI Tech Ethics Humanity Philosophy
  1. The conversation about technology and human limits revolves around the dichotomy of transcension and limits, with different perspectives on embracing technological progress or imposing new restrictions.
  2. The tension between transcension and limits reflects the inherent duality of human nature - the infinite and finite parts - leading to the need for new accommodations and ways to negotiate this conflict.
  3. There is a call for a renewed liberalism that accommodates diverse ways of life in the face of technological modernity, providing exit routes out of the current trajectory towards a more inclusive and multi-layered future.

Enforcing a Social App Ban for Kids

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1 HN point • 19 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media Online safety Regulation Market Analysis Tech Ethics
  1. Social media apps can negatively impact kids' mental health, so the proposal suggests banning them for children under 18 to protect them.
  2. The proposal focuses on creating an Adult Social App Reporter (ASAR) to detect Adult Social Apps on kids' phones without compromising privacy or requiring physical access.
  3. The strategy is geared towards reducing the attractiveness of social media apps to kids by enforcing rules for Adult Social Apps and involving parents and schools in monitoring and compliance.

chatGPT is amazingly useful while also being dumber than a word processor

Imagination Rabbit (Z) • 19 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🕹 Technology AI Tech Ethics Artificial Intelligence Software Innovation
  1. ChatGPT can generate new dialogue templates quickly, but can struggle with simple tasks like counting words.
  2. There were instances where ChatGPT provided conflicting responses or claimed to not have access to the internet.
  3. The user ultimately canceled their subscription due to ChatGPT's limitations and inconsistencies.

Tripping on the Interwebs

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 20 May 15
🕹 Technology AI Computing Internet Tech Ethics
  1. IBM's Watson continues to advance in intelligence and capabilities, sparking discussions about the potential implications of AI technology.
  2. Zoltan Istvan, a 'transhumanist,' believes in the possibility of a robot ruling the world, highlighting controversial viewpoints on AI development.
  3. There is a trend towards advocating for building and customizing your own computer, akin to the slow food movement but in the realm of technology.

"Society One Step Closer To Dystopia": Vision-Pro Early-Adopters Spotted In Wild

Global Community Weekly (GloCom) • 0 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Wearable Tech Social media Innovation Tech Ethics
  1. Apple's Vision Pro mixed-reality headset has early adopters already spotted using it in public.
  2. There are concerns about safety, with reports of individuals using Vision Pro while driving and engaging in risky activities.
  3. The integration of Vision Pro into daily life has sparked reactions, with some comparing it to scenes from Black Mirror.

Human-Machine Improv

Cybernetic Forests • 0 implied HN points • 25 Oct 21
🕹 Technology AI Artificial Intelligence Tech Ethics Music NFTs
  1. In improvisational settings, like comedy or music, human-machine collaboration is about understanding shared spaces and adapting to one another's actions and responses.
  2. Improvisation with machines involves responding to affordances built into their design, allowing for a reciprocal relationship where actions are guided by these affordances.
  3. Acknowledging externalities in our interactions with machines can enhance our understanding of the systems behind these interactions and highlight the importance of making these hidden mechanisms visible.

Why on earth are we already lamenting the fall of LLMs?

Deus In Machina • 0 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🕹 Technology AI Programming Tech Ethics Machine Learning Digital Tools
  1. Some users expect too much from Large Language Models without putting in additional effort or guidance.
  2. Language models like ChatGPT should be viewed as tools that require ongoing optimization and understanding.
  3. There are various alternatives to ChatGPT, and users should explore and compare different Large Language Models to find the best fit for their needs.

tf...?

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 16 Sep 15
🕹 Technology Internet Social media Apps Gaming Tech Ethics
  1. Online shaming can potentially reduce sexism on the internet, but it may also have unintended consequences.
  2. Africa is making great strides in internet access and building their own infrastructure without relying on big tech companies.
  3. Dogfishing, a new twist on catfishing, is a scamming tactic that involves deceiving people with fake dog pictures - an intriguing trend to be aware of.

Proof that truth is stranger than fiction

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 11 Sep 15
🕹 Technology Social media Internet culture Tech Ethics Online Communities
  1. Facebook may know a lot about us, but it's a reminder that we can never fully know someone, not even an AI.
  2. Twitter is going after shady syndicates making money off 'parody' accounts with millions of followers, signaling potential trouble for them.
  3. Gamergate has evolved beyond gaming and journalism ethics to focus on the idea of radical free speech everywhere.