Had a fun chat just now with Lewis-Kraus on positive sum ways to build a new relationship between tech & media. He recommended this piece, which I also endorse.
Insults for both sides aside, it nails the key question: do you have sincerity? Or only irony?
fredrikdeboer.com/2020/07/10/the…
Insults for both sides aside, it nails the key question: do you have sincerity? Or only irony?
fredrikdeboer.com/2020/07/10/the…
Technological progressives sincerely believe in something. It might be genetic testing to halt COVID. Or fusion energy to stop climate change. Or self-driving cars to end traffic fatalities.
But we sincerely believe. And sacrifice for that belief.
But we sincerely believe. And sacrifice for that belief.
Sincerity makes you vulnerable. Standing for something makes you stand out.
By contrast, irony is safe. It's condescension, sarcasm, mockery. It is often implicitly conservative, in this case technologically conservative. It affirms the status quo.
By contrast, irony is safe. It's condescension, sarcasm, mockery. It is often implicitly conservative, in this case technologically conservative. It affirms the status quo.
Counterexamples do exist, of course. But irony-vs-sincerity is a major faultline.
Another subtext: tech people want media to share our values while media people want tech people to share our resources. There may be a win/win in there somewhere. One idea:
Another subtext: tech people want media to share our values while media people want tech people to share our resources. There may be a win/win in there somewhere. One idea:
