February 18th, 2025

Tech Continues to Be Political

The author critiques the intersection of technology and politics, particularly AI's ethical implications, expressing concern over harmful ideologies, loss of diversity, and a call to prioritize community over corporate interests.

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Tech Continues to Be Political

The author expresses deep concern about the intersection of technology and politics, particularly in the context of AI and its implications for society. They highlight the troubling influence of billionaires and venture capitalists who promote eugenics and authoritarian ideologies through their tech products. The author argues that technology is not neutral; it embodies the beliefs and assumptions of its creators, which can lead to exploitation and harm. They criticize the tech community's enthusiasm for AI, suggesting that many overlook the ethical implications and potential dangers of these technologies. The author feels increasingly isolated in a field that seems to embrace tools designed to undermine diversity, equity, and inclusion. They lament the loss of agency in the tech landscape, where profit motives overshadow the original ideals of the web as a platform for empowerment. The piece concludes with a call for a return to values that prioritize human agency and community over corporate interests.

- The author critiques the political implications of technology, particularly AI, and its ties to eugenics.

- They express concern over the tech community's acceptance of harmful ideologies and products.

- The piece highlights the loss of diversity, equity, and inclusion in tech as companies prioritize profit.

- The author feels isolated in a field that increasingly disregards ethical considerations.

- There is a call to refocus on empowering technology that serves community interests rather than corporate gains.

Link Icon 6 comments
By @pfych - about 2 months
Seeing all these big tech companies walk lockstep with the current administration is quite upsetting. As a non-American, it's kinda terrifying to see how quickly everything has started falling apart.

I sure do hope all these big tech companies do the right, ethical thing with their AI products! ...

By @teddyh - about 2 months
The article uses a mangled and incoherent version of the gun/printer meme (how would a printer, by itself, be useful?). Here’s what I believe to be the original (and actually understandable) form: <https://imgur.com/6wbgy2L>
By @jauntywundrkind - about 2 months
I don't particularly love this submission, but the headline feels so weighty & so real.

So much if what's happening (and terrifying) in the world is wrapped up around the tech industry, and especially especially the infosphere. The one tech built, the infosphere that increasingly is used to shape & syndicate & spread the political.

It's all tech. But instead of being responsible helpers, instead of having discussions, there's so much hands off, just letting the machines go as they may. So many discussions we can't or won't have because it's "politics".

By @paulddraper - about 2 months
My English teacher made me write essays in 12pt font.

I wonder what she'd think of > 24pt font.

By @golly_ned - about 2 months
I couldn’t follow the line of thought between eugenics and AI.
By @userbinator - about 2 months
> We have no way to measure intelligence

Stopped reading there.