Can We Survive Technology
3 Weeks
·Cohort-based Course
Five lively group discussions of film & literature exploring the economic, political, & ethical implications of technological change.
Can We Survive Technology
3 Weeks
·Cohort-based Course
Five lively group discussions of film & literature exploring the economic, political, & ethical implications of technological change.
Course overview
The myth that science is apolitical
As a technologist, it can be tempting to think of all innovation as forward progress, to think of all technology as apolitical.
The reality is messier. Technological change often presents ethical dilemmas, and throughout history the struggle over the spoils of new technology has spurred social and political conflict.
This is the fifth installment in a series of seminars we began as part of the IAP Program at MIT. This year we're moving to a virtual seminar, hosted on Maven, open to anyone.
Past topics:
(2020) Film Noir & Failures of the Enlightenment & Industrial Revolution.
(2019) Narrative, Intelligence, and AI.
(2018) Consciousness, Computation, and the Universe.
(2017) AI, Mass Automation, and the Evolution of Human Dignity.
Who is this course for
01
Technologists interested in ethics
02
People who are interested in film
03
People who enjoy lively discussions
What you’ll get out of this course
Watch and discuss some excellent films
Dr. Strangelove (1964), The Death of Stalin (2017), Influence (2020), American Factory (2019), Her (2013)
Read and discuss provocative texts
Together we'll read works from John von Neumann, David Foster Wallace, Ursula Le Guin, James Bridle, Nick Bostrom, Franz Kafka, and others.
Participate in lively discussion
Share you ideas and reactions inspired by the readings and films
Learn from others
Hear what your course mates bring from their own experiences
Can We Survive Technology
Meet your instructors
Andrew Kortina
Andrew Kortina writes about technology, philosophy, politics, and culture at kortina.nyc. He co-founded fin.com and venmo.com.
Rob Cheung
Rob works in software and spends a lot of time thinking about social systems, economics, and culture.
Course syllabus
01
Existential Risk
A central question that arises out of the continual increase in technological leverage is: When, if ever, does it become dangerous? Does social volatility necessarily increase with understanding, and is there a limit to social volatility?
Film
Dr Strangelove (1h 35m)
Reading
Von Neumann (15pp)
Cowen (41pp)
Bostrom (16pp)
02
Extreme Security Technology
One response to the existential risk technology is "extreme security"—pervasive surveillance, contact tracing, or increasing militarization. Are there alternatives?
Film
The Death of Stalin (1h 47m)
Reading
Crawford (7pp)
NYT (12m)
03
Trust, Misinformation, and Censorship
We rely on social information, but this exposes us to risks via memes, misinformation, and censorship.
Film
Influence (1h 45m)
Reading
Bridle (21pp)
Foster Wallace (51pp)
04
Economic Destabilization
If our economic regimes continue to concentrate the spoils of innovation in the hands of a few inventors, ever more increasing economic inequality might destabilize society.
Film
American Factory (1h 55m)
Reading
Korinek (9pp)
Acemoglue & Restrepo (25pp)
Weinstein (2pp)
05
Human Dignity
If we successfully automate more of the essential and necessary functions of humans—eg, production of food and energy, physical labor, or even things like the creation of art and scientific models—what will we do to feel "needed" and how will this impact our sense of dignity?
Film
Her (2h 6m)
Reading
Camus (44pp)
Le Guin (4pp)
Kafka (1pp)
Course schedule
8-10 hours per week
Discussions: Mondays & Thursdays
7:30pm - 9:00pm ET
Mon 20 Feb
Thur 23 Feb
Mon 27 Feb
Thur 2 Mar
Mon 6 Mar
Viewings
3 hours per week
Two films per week, watched on your own time.
Readings
2-3 hours per week
Roughly 50 pages per meeting, read on your own time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I can’t make a live session?
What if I don't finish the film or readings for a session?
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