Hypercommunication

Can scrolling be good for you? Yes, if you take out the doom. I explore different perspectives on scrolling, based on Harvard Medical School research, and a perspective from a UVA Professor on 'hope scrolling'.

From a ⁠Baudrillardian (versus ⁠Bostrum-esque)⁠ angle of simulation theory, I discuss why we live in a simulation, what that means in terms of everyday life, and how we can deal with it.

"THE SIMULACRUM IS NEVER WHAT HIDES THE TRUTH—IT IS TRUTH THAT HIDES THE FACT THAT THERE IS NONE. THE SIMULACRUM IS TRUE."

-Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and Simulation (1981)

A year ago today, I launched the trailer for Progression to Analog. Twelve months later, I'm reflecting on what a year it was—speaking about Progression to Analog at conferences and universities across the United States and Europe.

From Columbia University and keynoting AESC in New York; to re:publica and Tech Open Air in Berlin; to MOME and Brain Bar in Budapest; to World Summit AI in Amsterdam, I shared the core tenants of Progression to Analog and sociotechnical design with thousands live, as well as listeners across 39 countries. I can't wait for what's ahead! Tune in next Wednesday for more.

I explore how phones have shifted the modern concert experience, as well as attending a concert in 2024 without documenting it. I also explore artists' and music lovers' opinions on the matter.

Some of the references from the episode:

The unexpected social consequences of diverting attention to our phones (2022 Princeton Psychology, NYU, and Princeton Neuroscience Institute Study)

fallingforyou - Live from the O2. London. 16.12.16. (Matty Healy / the 1975)

Are You Really There? The Mediatized Experience of the 21st Century Concert-Goer (Erica Felice Melamed)

Just as hostages affected by Stockholm Syndrome may rationalize their captor’s actions, we often rationalize inappropriate or manipulative behaviors related to screens. 

This is a phenomenon that I call “coincé dans l’écran”, or being “stuck in the screen”.  

I explore blocking from a sociological perspective.

References:

Episodes every Wednesday, welcome to season two!

In this episode, Amsterdam-based Senior Principal at Software Improvement Group (SIG) Rob van der Veer and I discuss AI readiness.

Rob is an experienced technologist, advisor, successful entrepreneur, and keynote speaker. He is the author of AI standards including ISO/IEC 5338 and the EU AI Act security standard.

We discuss the importance of buy-in, learning, a sociotechnical approach to AI adoption, guardrails, the GAIL method, and more.

Rob is the author of SIG's recent AI readiness guide, which you can download here for free. SIG's AI readiness guide equips organizations with practical steps to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities with AI.

Rob is also the author of Luna and the Magic AI Paintbrush, a children's book about AI available in English, Spanish, and Dutch.

Other resources:

In this episode of Progression to Analog, listen to Harvard Business School Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management Amy Edmondson & Authentic Social Founder and Sociological Researcher Caitlin Begg speak about who has the freedom to fail, failure as a privilege, technology's tendency to exacerbate these issues, and what to do about them. This video is from their joint talk together at re:publica in Berlin on 28 May 2024.

Edmondson and Begg will explore the paradox of failure in the context of technological advancements, highlighting how digital platforms and AI can both facilitate and hinder equitable opportunities for failure and growth.

They'll address the critical role of organizational culture in creating spaces where failure is not merely tolerated but is seen as a vital component of learning and discovery.

The dialogue aims to dissect the mechanisms through which technology perpetuates workplace inequality and propose actionable strategies to mitigate these effects, fostering a more inclusive environment where all individuals have the liberty to fail and learn.

In this mini episode, I speak about the contents of my ⁠masterclass at MOME⁠ (an art an design university in Budapest) and ⁠session at Brain Bar⁠ (Europe's largest festival on the future).

Full-length season two episodes begin Wednesday 2 October!

In this season two trailer, I share milestones and insights from season one including:

I recap the first season of Progression to Analog and its three core themes:

AND... I outline some of the upcoming topics for season two!