Welcome to the podcast version of New World Same Humans, a weekly newsletter on trends, technology, and society by David Mattin.
If you’re listening to this and you haven’t yet subscribed, then join 13,000+ curious souls on a journey to build a better shared future 🚀🔮
This week, a news item got me thinking about an old question. Who is really in the driving seat of history: we humans, or our machines?
The essay that follows is my attempt at an answer that makes sense, and is useful, in 2020.
Given the scale of the question, a million and more viewpoints are possible. So if you find yourself – as you no doubt will – wanting to disagree, challenge, or add to my first thoughts, then come to the NWSH Slack group and join the debate. You can find details on how to sign up at the end of this email.
For now, though, find a quiet spot, lean back and absorb this essay, which is called Welcome to the Technocene.
If you prefer to read this instalment, go here for the text version of New World Same Humans #40.
Links in this week’s instalment
1. Researchers from Columbia University say CEOs and senior executives are changing the way they speak on quarterly earnings calls, in order to cater to the algorithms they know are listening.
2. In What Technology Wants, the iconic writer and technologist Kevin Kelly argues that technological evolution follows a pre-determined path.
Join the debate!
Thanks for listening this week.
We all know that technology is doing much to shape the world around us in 2020. But are you convinced that we now live in the Technocene? Or do you think AI is best understood as simply another tool? If you want to share views with a super-smart, curious and friendly group, look no further than the NWSH Slack!
***Simply follow this link to join the New World Same Humans Slack group***
And if you know others – a friend, family member or colleague – who’d also find our group useful, just forward this email to them with a prompt to sign up to the newsletter. When they do, they’ll receive a welcome email with a link to the Slack. Or share New World Same Humans across one of your social networks, and let people know why you find this newsletter valuable. Just hit the share button!
Your membership of our community is valued. I’ll be back on Wednesday; until then, be well.
David.
New World Same Humans #40 – Audio Version