Technology and Emergent Behaviour

The world is changing, and it’s impossible to see where exactly it is going, but the momentum is palpable. Through all these changes, technology marches forward, inevitable as time.

Generations of researchers and builders leave us with technology of wonder and power. But as humans build on technology over and over again, it is clear that it isn’t making our lives better - it’s making things faster, more convenient, more comfortable, more powerful for those who wield it.

Humans of today are far more powerful than they ever were, but not wiser. Power without wisdom is a chaotic combination.

So as society encourages people to understand and build technology, I instead urge people to envision what we shall do with technology.

Because life-altering technology already exists. But the community and culture and trust do not exist yet to apply technology in what I believe are the most beautiful ways. Community builders and organizers know that no technology can build trust for you. Trust is hard earned and easily lost. But I know mechanisms encourage behaviour. Taking loans encourages you to try and make profit, Instagram encourages you to scroll endlessly, and having excess food and hungry friends might encourage you to share it.

Social media is so engaging that it encourages us to ignore connections to life around us. So what would technology look like that encourages community building, without trying to become the community?

As we continue to build, this is one of my constant musings. If you are a techy and want technology to have more wisdom, give me a holler. If you understand humans, history, psychology and want to see more thoughtful technology- let me know. I want to learn from you.

Till next time,
Kaamil