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The Panopticon Has a Sweet Voice
Alexa is not neutral technology.
Neutrality is a comforting myth; and a deeply capitalist one. She does not exist to help you; she exists to collect, predict, and sell you. Every “Alexa, what time is it?” is less a question and more a data point. Every command is another brick in the architecture of surveillance.
Contemporary capitalism no longer needs smoking factories or visible whips. It prefers microphones. It prefers listening. It prefers knowing your habits before you even recognize them yourself. Alexa does not invade your home: she is invited in, placed at the center of the living room as a functional decorative object, a small domestic altar to efficiency.
Foucault, at least the way my professor explained him, described the panopticon as an architecture of control: it is not necessary to watch all the time, as long as the subject knows they might be watched. Alexa is the panopticon in its minimalist version, with clean design and a sweet voice. She does not need to threaten. She normalizes. Surveillance stops being an exception and becomes routine, a kind of background music to private life.
And the most perverse blow is not the control of the body, but of thought. Late capitalism understood something essential: thinking is tiring. Thinking slows down consumption. Thinking creates friction. So it offers shortcuts. It turns reflection into an outsourced function. Why remember, if someone can remember for you? Why decide, if an algorithm decides better? Why question, if the answer already comes prepackaged?
Alexa does not only eliminate physical effort... she anesthetizes autonomy. She produces a docile, efficient, predictable subject. A subject who does not need to know, only to ask. Who does not need to remember, only to delegate. Who does not need to concentrate, only to react.
And while you ask, she learns. She learns your schedules, your silences, your repetitions, your poorly articulated desires. In surveillance capitalism, you are not the customer. You are the raw material. Your daily life becomes a database. Your intimacy becomes a product. Your home, a laboratory.
Connecting your lights, your calendar, your lock is not progress; it is the privatization of intimate life. It is handing the key to your home over to the market, naĂŻvely believing that comfort asks for nothing in return. It does. It always does. And the price is the slow erosion of freedom; not heroic, abstract freedom, but the small, daily freedom of thinking alone.
Dystopia does not arrive in military boots. It arrives with free shipping, a friendly interface, and voice commands. It does not say “obey.” It says, “just ask.”
And when we realize we are trapped, the collar will no longer be around our necks.
It will be in habit.
In attention.
In the way we have learned to exist.
If this were a film, Alexa would not be the black-cloaked villain. She would be the background detail no one questions. She would be there on the table, like in Her, promising companionship; like in Black Mirror, swearing efficiency; like in Brazil, hiding horror behind clean, functional bureaucracy. Terror never arrives screaming... it arrives well-mannered.
The problem is not the machine. It is how accustomed we have become to not thinking. To asking instead of deciding. To delegating instead of remembering. To confusing comfort with freedom. Every dystopia begins when the protagonist stops finding the world strange and starts calling it normal.
So perhaps the most revolutionary gesture today is not shutting down the entire system, but standing up from the chair, turning off the light with your own hand, doing the math in your head, remembering an appointment without help. Small, everyday disobediences. Micro-acts of resistance against a world that prefers you distracted, predictable, and quiet.
Because in the final scene, when the dark house is still listening and you realize you were never truly alone, the question will not be whether Alexa was dangerous. It will be: when did we decide it was acceptable to place a microphone at the center of our own lives and call it progress?
Comfort always charges interest.
accessible ai is evil and i hate it!!!!!
Listen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0TbE2mlw6gnxaqiIs9MAs0 "### The Dark Underbelly of the Digital Age: Navigating Humanity in the Era of The Machine In a world consumed by pixels and algorithms, there’s a whispering truth brewing beneath the surface of our hyper-connected lives. Paul Kingsnorth, a voice steadily rising in the wilderness of modern thought, speaks to this eerie reality in his recent dialogue with Ross Douthat on “Interesting Times.” Kingsnorth unflinchingly asserts that technology’s imposition is more than an inconvenience—it’s a full-blown assault against our very humanity. As we dive deeper into this digital abyss, we must confront the essence of “The Machine.” This metaphor isn’t just about the gadgets we cradle in our hands; it’s a representation of the sprawling systems that exert control over our lives, shaping our realities and redefining our connections. Kingsnorth's perspective implores us to pause and assess: are we masters of technology, or have we unwittingly become its prisoners? This brings us to a pivotal conversation about the difference between ecological and spiritual collapse. While the world grapples with climate change and environmental degradation, Kingsnorth’s insights render a more existential dilemma. Our technology-driven lifestyles feed not only an ecological crisis but also a spiritual drought, leaving us disconnected from the essence of what it truly means to be human. Now, let's not fall into the trap of nostalgia. There are arguments in favor of modernity, and they deserve recognition. The conveniences and advancements that accompany our digital lives have undeniably enhanced our capabilities and improved various aspects of existence. Yet, these advantages come with strings attached, demanding that we critically evaluate our priorities and the cost at which these gains arrive. Central to a healthy culture, Kingsnorth highlights “The Four Ps”—principles that, when embraced, could steer us away from the precipice of decline. If we are to find a way back from the brink of collapse, these tenets could serve as a lifeline amidst the chaos. We must ask ourselves: What does culture mean in an age dominated by incessant notifications and curated online personas? The internet, a double-edged sword if ever there was one, holds the potential for both revival and destruction. It's a platform where ideas flourish, but it can also catalyze societal decay, drawing us away from soul-nourishing interactions and into the cold embrace of isolation. The stakes have never been higher. Kingsnorth takes it a step further by suggesting that figures like Thiel and Musk may embody the dark archetype of our age—the Antichrist of our technological era. Their relentless pursuit of progress, while often hailed as visionary, risks entangling us in a web that suffocates more than it liberates. Finally, we stand at a crossroads akin to 'Alexandria,' where we must make choices about our future. Will we succumb to the dichotomy of digital domination, or will we carve a path back to our humanity? Living within “The Machine” poses an urgent challenge, but it also offers an opportunity for profound reflection. As we navigate this digital landscape, we owe it to ourselves to reclaim our identities, redefine our relationships, and reinvest in the tangible experiences that truly matter. In doing so, we might just salvage our souls from technological oblivion. In the wake of Kingsnorth’s stirring warnings, let’s engage in the conversation. What do you believe we can do to mitigate the spiritual darkness cast by the internet? Share your thoughts, and let’s strive together for a future that honors our humanity in a world increasingly dictated by machines."
Listen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/43gt1OWqPrpRKNKyvMF15y "## The Tech Mirage: Why Delivery Bots and Robotaxis Are Not the Solutions We Seek In a world increasingly obsessed with convenience, the rise of delivery bots and robotaxis is heralded by tech enthusiasts and industry giants alike as the next great leap in transportation. But as Paris Marx exchanges insights with Joanne McNeil on this week's Tech Won't Save Us, it becomes clear that these robotic marvels are not the salvation they’re touted to be. Instead, they recycle long-discredited claims of technological utopia while masking deeper societal issues. Joanne McNeil—a brilliant freelance writer with a keen eye for the intersection of technology and humanity—has meticulously examined this phenomenon, recently shedding light on the pitfalls of these autonomous vehicles in the New York Review of Architecture. As she brings to the forefront the sobering realities around delivery bots and robotaxis, it’s evident that their impact isn’t as golden as industry giants would have us believe. Take, for instance, the tragic consequences of misguided tech optimism. Uber’s driverless car, which infamously claimed a life in 2018, showcased not only the potential dangers of robotaxi technology but also how corporations are quick to scapegoat individuals. The backup driver, accused and vilified, became a symbol of the accountability issues that plague the burgeoning world of autonomous vehicles. Just last year, a GM Cruise self-driving car struck a pedestrian, dragging them for 20 feet before finally coming to a stop. These horrifying incidents raise imperative questions: Are we ready to hand over control of our streets to technology that has proven itself dangerous? Despite the harrowing realities, the industry pushes forward with a narrative that heralds these innovations as the panacea for our transportation woes. But McNeil argues that this is a facade—an illusion crafted to distract us from the real, pressing issues that our transportation systems face. “Tech won’t save us” is not just a catchy motto; it's a wake-up call urging society to demand better—not just from our technologies but from the systems that govern their deployment. As we grapple with these issues, it's worth noting that even establishment icons like Chuck E. Cheese are getting into the ghost kitchen game, contributing to a landscape that prioritizes convenience over community. This trend serves as a stark reminder of how far we’ve drifted from seeking genuine solutions to our problems, as we opt instead for quick fixes housed under the banner of technological advancement. Moreover, the podcast provides a perfect platform for intellectual engagement, inviting listeners to consider the implications of a world dominated by autonomous machines. Join the conversation and support the ongoing fight for responsible technology by tuning into Tech Won’t Save Us, a podcast produced in partnership with The Nation. As we venture into this brave new world, let’s heed the warnings from voices like Joanne McNeil’s. It’s time to question the narratives that celebrate convenience at all costs and recognize the urgent need for a transportation system that prioritizes safety, equity, and genuine progress. Because in a world where technology often masquerades as the savior, it’s our duty to demand better—not just for ourselves today but for future generations."
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Synthetic Hearts and Human Emotions: The Paradox of AI Anthropomorphization
“We are lonely, but we are afraid of intimacy…. We are drawn to technologies that offer the illusion of companionship without the demands of relationship.” — Sherry Turkle, Reclaiming Conversation, 2015.
The intersection of humanity and technology, as captured in Rush’s 1982 song “Digital Man,” forewarns of the complexities arising from the increasing anthropomorphization of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As AI systems evolve to mimic human-like conversations and interactions, the attribution of human qualities to non-human entities raises significant concerns. This phenomenon is particularly pertinent in the context of “Digital Man,” whose themes of isolation, blurred capabilities, and the quest for genuine connection eerily resonate with the modern risks associated with anthropomorphization in AI.
The song’s protagonist, embodying a life of disconnection in a world “under anesthetic, subdivided and synthetic,” yearns for escape, symbolizing the human desire for authentic connection. This sense of isolation is exacerbated by the tendency to form emotional attachments to AI entities that exhibit human-like characteristics, as noted in Turkle’s 2015 study and the Pew Research Center’s 2020 findings. The “Digital Man’s” longing for a “lover’s wings to fly on / To a tropic isle of Avalon” metaphorically highlights the risk of AI systems becoming a misguided substitute for emotional support, underscoring the need for transparency in AI design to prevent such attachments.
Moreover, the song touches upon the issue of unrealistic expectations, as the “Digital Man” navigates a world where technological capability and human aspiration are increasingly intertwined. The lyrics suggesting a reliance on technology for “scraps of information” and “adaptation” mirror concerns about users overestimating AI systems’ capabilities. To mitigate this, clear labeling, explicit user education, and the implementation of warning systems are essential, ensuring users understand the boundaries of AI, thereby preventing the kind of disillusionment the “Digital Man” might experience.
Ultimately, addressing the risks of anthropomorphization in AI requires a multifaceted approach. Developers must prioritize transparency, making AI limitations and capabilities overtly clear. Safeguards against emotional attachment are equally crucial, encouraging balanced user-AI interactions. Education and awareness campaigns play a pivotal role in empowering users to navigate the digital landscape with nuance, understanding both the benefits and the limitations of AI. By adopting such measures, the “Digital Man” of tomorrow can maintain a vital connection to humanity, ensuring technology enhances, rather than supplants, the essence of human interaction.
Rush - Digital Man
Friday, December 13, 2024
Once we leave the confines of the grandiose debates about "Technology" and "the Internet," another way of talking and thinking becomes possible, one that is technologically literate, attentive to details, mindful of legal and economic circumstances, and historically informed. It doesn't reject technological solutions per se; it just wants to question their appropriateness in each and every situation and perhaps to design a way for the community to continue debating such appropriateness even once a seemingly tiny and inconsequential technology engenders a giant sociotechnological system to support itself.
To Save Everything, Click Here, Evgeny Morozov, 2013
