Decoder with Nilay Patel Recode Decode: Tristan Harris
May 6, 2019
Tristan Harris, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology and former design ethicist at Google, shares his insights on 'human downgrading' and its implications for society. He discusses the co-opting of his earlier movement, Time Well Spent, by tech giants. Harris critiques digital well-being features from Apple and Google and highlights the urgent need for accountability in tech. He argues that platforms like Facebook and YouTube are more harmful than environmental disasters, calling for ethical design and governance in the digital space.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Center for Humane Technology
- The Center for Humane Technology, co-founded by Harris and Aza Raskin, aims to reverse human downgrading.
- They believe technology should be designed to fit our social fabric, not exploit our reptilian brains.
Digital Cities
- Tech companies act like cities that profit from rent while neglecting essential services.
- They control the digital public square without public accountability.
Deregulation
- Private incentives are deregulating essential aspects of life.
- Companies are profiting from the attention economy with little regard for societal harm.
