Big Think Interview with Jonathan Zittrain | Big Think

TL;DR

The growth of ubiquitous human computing is allowing for the decentralization of mental energy and action, with platforms like Innocentive, LiveOps, and Amazon Mechanical Turk leading the way.

Transcript

I'm Jonathan zitrin I'm a co-founder of the Brookman Center for internet and Society at Harvard Law School where I'm also a professor of law I think a lot of computer scientists have been thinking about what they call ubiquitous Computing the idea that with really good bandwidth and wireless ATB and fast processors there'll be computers everywhere ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤑 Ubiquitous human computing offers opportunities for individuals to earn money and work flexibly, but it also raises concerns about exploitation and privacy.
• 💨 Companies like Innocentive, LiveOps, and Amazon Mechanical Turk are transforming the way problems are solved and tasks are completed by leveraging the power of decentralized human intelligence.
• 🎮 The control and regulation of ubiquitous human computing platforms can have significant implications for privacy, innovation, and social movements.
• 👻 The internet's design as a procrastination-driven network has allowed for rapid innovation, but as it becomes more central to daily life, new challenges around security and governance will arise.
• 💁 Government censorship on the web is a complex issue, with some regimes becoming more sophisticated in their efforts to control access to information, while others struggle to keep up with the decentralized nature of the internet.
• 🫠 The rise of ad hoc mesh networking holds promise for resilient and decentralized communication in situations where traditional networks may fail or be deliberately obstructed.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is ubiquitous human computing?

Ubiquitous human computing is the concept of treating the human mind as a server or commodity, leveraging it to solve complex problems or complete tasks in exchange for payment.

Q: How does Innocentive work?

Innocentive is a platform that allows companies to post engineering or scientific problems and offer monetary rewards to the first person who can provide a solution. The person who solves the problem then relinquishes ownership of the idea to the company.

Q: How does LiveOps operate?

LiveOps is a company that employs remote workers as independent contractors who handle tasks like taking customer orders over the phone. Workers have the flexibility to choose their hours and work from home, but their calls are recorded and monitored for quality control purposes.

Q: What is Amazon Mechanical Turk?

Amazon Mechanical Turk is a platform where individuals can perform small, repetitive tasks in exchange for a minimal payment. These tasks may include identifying objects in an image or leaving reviews on websites.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Ubiquitous human computing is the idea that the human mind can be treated as a commodity that can be used to solve complex problems in exchange for monetary compensation.

• Platforms like Innocentive, LiveOps, and Amazon Mechanical Turk are leveraging ubiquitous human computing to crowdsource solutions to scientific, engineering, and repetitive tasks.

• While this trend offers greater flexibility and opportunities for individuals, it also raises concerns about privacy, control, and the potential manipulation of mass movements.