Jon Gosier: The problem with "trickle-down techonomics"

TL;DR

This content discusses the unintended consequences of technology and the need for engineers and technologists to consider the outcomes of what they build.

Transcript

As a software developer and technologist, I've worked on a number of civic technology projects over the years. Civic tech is sometimes referred to as tech for good, using technology to solve humanitarian problems. This is in 2010 in Uganda, working on a solution that allowed local populations to avoid government surveillance on their mobile phones ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌍 Civic technology projects have the potential to solve humanitarian problems, but there is a risk that technology can harm the communities it intends to help.
• 📱 Trickle-down techonomics assumes that technology designed for a few will eventually reach everyone, but this is not always the case.
• 🏥 Medical facilities are becoming more efficient through digital tools, but there is a concern about the impact on those who cannot afford or access these technologies.
• 💰 Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency technologies are revolutionizing finance, but the high barriers to entry could leave some communities behind when the world moves to digital currency.
• 📚 Digitizing libraries can be beneficial for many, but assumptions about home access and mobile phones can impact the education experience for those who do not have these resources.
• 🌍 Digitizing land ownership rights has unintended consequences, as venture capitalists and real estate developers can take advantage of the technology and exploit communities.
• ⚙️ Engineers and technologists need to prioritize efficacy over efficiency and consider the outcomes and unintended consequences of the technologies they build.
• 🙌 There is a need for a movement towards ethical considerations in the tech industry, similar to the focus on ethics in investment and banking in the late '90s.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is civic tech and how has it been used in Uganda and North Africa?

Civic tech, also known as tech for good, is the use of technology to solve humanitarian problems. In Uganda, civic tech was utilized to create a solution that allowed local populations to avoid government surveillance on their mobile phones for expressing dissent. The same technology was later deployed in North Africa to help activists stay connected when governments deliberately shut off connectivity as a means of population control.

Q: What is the concept of "trickle-down techonomics" in the tech industry?

"Trickle-down techonomics" refers to the belief held by the tech industry that if they design and build great things for a select few, eventually those technologies will reach everyone and have a positive impact on society. However, this is not always the case, as technology and innovation tend to consolidate in the hands of the few, rather than reaching the many.

Q: How do wearables and smartphone apps for personal health tracking affect those who cannot afford such technology?

The growing movement of using wearables and smartphone apps to track personal health has made patient intake in medical facilities more efficient. However, it raises concerns about the medical experience for individuals who cannot afford expensive smartphones or devices to track their health. Are they now burdened by the medical system and how does their experience differ?

Q: How does the transition to digital currency impact communities still reliant on paper notes?

The revolutionizing impact of Bitcoin and crypto-currencies on global money movement raises the question of the last community still using paper notes. With the rest of the world moving towards digital currency, what happens to the community that lacks access to phones, devices, or the required capital to participate in this digital shift?

Q: How does the digitization of public libraries affect children without access to technology at home?

The digitization of books and the movement towards cloud-based libraries has benefits for many children. However, assumptions are made that assume children have access to technology and the internet at home. In places like Philadelphia, where many kids do not have access to such resources, the question arises: how does this impact their education experience and how do they remain competitive?

Q: What unintended consequence has arisen from the digitization of land ownership rights in East Africa?

The movement to digitize land ownership rights in East Africa aimed to resolve conflicts and provide better record-keeping. However, an unintended consequence has been that venture capitalists, investors, and real estate developers have taken advantage of the technology and connectivity to buy up plots of land from under the communities. This highlights the unintended consequences of the tools and technologies we create.

Q: Why do engineers and technologists need to think more about the outcomes of the technologies they build?

Engineers and technologists often prioritize efficiency over efficacy and focus more on the act of creating rather than considering the outcomes of their work. However, this mindset needs to change. As technology increasingly controls the world we live in, it becomes crucial for engineers and technologists to think about the unintended consequences of their innovations and take responsibility for the outcomes of their technologies.

Q: What is the speaker's call to action for entrepreneurs, CEOs, engineers, and makers?

The speaker encourages those working in the tech industry to consider the unintended consequences of the things they build. Instead of solely focusing on the next big thing or pursuing efficiency, there should be a greater emphasis on inclusivity and considering the outcomes of the technologies being developed. The speaker suggests that the tech industry needs to prioritize ethical considerations similar to the movement that occurred in the world of investment and banking in the late '90s.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Civic tech projects use technology to solve humanitarian problems, such as avoiding government surveillance and helping activists stay connected.

• The assumption that technology will positively affect everyone is not always true, as it often consolidates in the hands of the few.

• Examples of unintended consequences include excluding those without access to certain technologies, creating barriers to entry for certain communities, and allowing investors to take advantage of digitized land ownership.