Another little “deviation from the normal” post.
Starring yet again Caralyn (thanks for the tip), with hat tips to Velda & Josepha. This is a particular threesome of intelligent thinkers (see the linked-to posts for more about some of their intelligent thoughts) I totally hope they will collaborate and exchange ideas — not only with each other, but also with all of us… the global commmunity… of things, or beings, or whatever (haha, well just don’t “nevermind” 😉 ).
Caralyn’s post addresses a new REALLY BIG SHOW on Netflix (actually more than one, but do go ahead and read all about it on her post) … called “The Social Dilemma”. I haven’t watched it — I’m not that kind of consumer… I will listen to you, but if you start treating me like your slave, well then I don’t care about what you think you have that’s worthy of me paying attention to (because in my humble opinion it simply isn’t … at least not in that case). Whatever (yes, do nevermind 😉 ).
Well, so the question this persuasion geek is pushing (see Tristan Harris’ website for more details) is: Should we trust these algorithm-gurus who have been fucking up so royally for decades … should they now be trusted to program algorithms, computer programs, silicon chips — whatever — for the “guidance” of our kids? Um, some of you might remember this (be sure to click the “watch” link if you don’t 😉 ). In other words: HELL, NO!!
What we need is HUMAN INTELLIGENCE, nature, natural processes, evolution, whatever — NOT “Humane AI”. Just say no to having some 1000 elite narcissists programming what you are thinking, doing, whatever!
Um, with that, back to our… regularly… scheduled… whatever (nevermind).
Let's Connect People 
Caralyn posted this strong statement last night:
https://beautybeyondbones.com/2020/10/01/that-dumpster-fire-debate
Although her remarks were made with reference to the United States Presidential Debates (as a reaction to the first one this week — see also https://emotional.politics.blog/2020/10/02/politics-have-become-such-a-hotbed-of-fierce-divisive-energy-where-differences-in-ideas-or-political-beliefs-translate-to-personal-hatred-distrust-and-animosity ), I also see them as a courageous wish for a more peaceful coexistence between humans and computers.
In my opinion, one of the false messages in “The Social Dilemma” is the notion that computers (or smartphones) are a big part of the problem. They aren’t. The main problems are the secret, proprietary software and algorithms used to manipulate people. People need to recognize that the proprietary brands that seek to promote the addictions of their users are not going to help anyone, and least of all the addicts themselves.
I, too, have an optimistic faith in humanity. Humans ought to free themselves from their own slavery to these brand names, their websites, their algorithms, their manipulation, propaganda. deceit, their fraudulent “bait and switch”, “get rich quick”, money-making schemes. Humans ought to become more literate. They ought to rely more on natural language. They ought to become more versed in its use. They ought to realize that no monopoly can manipulate language, because no monopolist can own it. We own it, and if some monopolist like .APP (owned by Google) tries to make money by duping addicted consumers into buying in on their “special deal” offers, then we should be civil enough to raise public awareness of the way these monopolies seek to exploit their users, their consumers, their addicted target audience — those addicts who are addicted to the opium these brand name monopolies are selling RIGHT NOW.
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Here’s an interesting statement from Tristan Harris (made a few days ago on a Zoom chat with Katie Couric):
http://search.video.blog/2020/10/04/does-tristan-harris-own-google-stocks-or-facebook-stocks
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Just the other day, I found an article written by Michele Di Paola — and I was impressed with how exhaustive it was, how well it has been researched and how cogent his points and arguments are. I decided to blog about this article (see https://search.tech.blog/2020/10/07/i-am-glad-that-this-movie-is-making-possible-again-to-get-back-talking-about-these-topics-but-i-have-to-say-that-i-found-the-storyline-of-the-family-very-weak-and-really-too-simplistic-while-i-found ) and also about the online resources he cited. I think Michele is very engaged in this topic, and I highly recommend you to check out his work! 😀
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Shona raises some excellent points in this video https://podcasts.video.blog/2020/10/19/skewed-biased-information-is-insane — primarily the way many interpretations of the significance of “The Social Dilemma” seem to focus to much on psychological issues (i.e. “addiction”) and hardly anyone seems very concerned about the very significant societal problems addressed (mainly misinformation / manipulation / advertising / propaganda / etc.)
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Another update to this thread — this one is about “Hope & Change”:
https://narratives.news.blog/2020/11/07/hope-change-here-there-everywhere
It is fascinating, BTW, how much the “Social Dilemma” documentary was hyped during the 2 months leading up to the election — could it, perhaps, be that some people wanted to paint a dystopic picture and attribute that dystopia to Donald Trump? I do not doubt that the large investment of money that was made to create the documentary film had *some* purpose, intention,… — whatever (nevermind 😉 )
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IMHO politicians should consider behaving more like President Eisenhower did in his farewell speech — see http://emotional.politics.blog/2021/01/07/a-better-way-to-leave-office
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