Ending Doom Scrolling: Ethical Tech to the Rescue
Double-Edged Sword: Innovation vs. Addiction
Have you ever wondered why it's so hard to stop scrolling through social media? What if the technology meant to make life easier is actually making it harder to disconnect?
In this month's feature, we dive into a thought-provoking discussion with Aza Raskin, a tech pioneer and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology. Aza's journey is a powerful reminder of the double-edged sword that is technological innovation. He created the infinite scroll, a seemingly innocuous design feature that has significantly influenced how we consume content online. Initially intended to enhance user experience by reducing decision fatigue, it inadvertently contributed to the phenomenon known as "doom scrolling," where users mindlessly consume content for hours.
The Story Behind Infinite Scroll
Infinite scroll was designed to simplify web navigation by loading content automatically as users reached the bottom of a page, eliminating the need to click 'next.' However, it taps into our brain's reward system, creating an addictive loop that keeps us engaged longer than intended. This design, while increasing engagement, has been linked to negative mental health outcomes, such as increased anxiety and depression, highlighting the need to consider the broader impact of technological advancements.
Breaking Doom Scrolling with Ethical Tech Solutions
Social media giants like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram use infinite scroll, leading to "doom scrolling," where users compulsively scroll through overwhelming content. This behavior exacerbates feelings of helplessness and anxiety, highlighting the impact of design choices on well-being. Aza Raskin calls for systemic solutions and ethical governance to ensure technology serves humanity positively. He suggests slight delays in content loading to break the addictive cycle and prioritizing human well-being over engagement metrics by addressing the incentives driving tech companies.
Bridging Divides with Tech
Uniting a Polarised World with Technology
Can technology bring us closer in a world divided by misinformation and polarised opinions?
Bridging algorithms offer hope by identifying consensus across different groups, promoting content that fosters understanding rather than division.
Twitter's (Now X) Community Notes is an early example, allowing diverse users to contribute to fact-checking, reducing misinformation and polarisation. Aza Raskin argues for a holistic approach to address the challenges of the attention economy, suggesting frameworks that encourage content promoting mutual understanding.
Bridging algorithms identify statements agreed upon by various groups, fostering a balanced online environment. Despite challenges, a collaborative approach involving regulators, tech companies, and civil society is essential to shift incentives toward long-term societal benefits.
AI Decipher Animal Talk
Decoding Animal Communication with AI
What if we could understand what animals are saying? How would it change our relationship with nature?
The Earth Species Project, co-founded by Aza Raskin, aims to decode animal communication using AI. For example, they analyse humpback whale songs to understand their social structures and behaviors, which can aid conservation efforts. Parrots have unique names for each other, and dolphins understand complex commands, showing the richness of animal communication. Listening to animals teaches us about coexistence and inspires new ways to think about human relationships. However, ethical considerations are crucial to ensure this knowledge is used to protect animals. The Earth Species Project promotes a shift from exploiting nature to coexisting with it, fostering sustainable and ethical practices for a harmonious future.
