Kentaro Toyama

At the Technsoskeptic Magazine, we often find that technologists provide the most salient critiques of technology’s effects on society. In this episode, Mo Lotman speaks with Kentaro Toyama, computer scientist, Professor of Community Information at the University of Michigan, and author of the book “Geek Heresy: Rescuing Social Change from the Cult of Technology.” After spending five years in India attempting to deploy technology to aid international development, Toyama came back disillusioned. He chats with the Technoskeptic about his experience there and how his years of teaching led him to understand how technology often exacerbates, rather than levels, underlying disparities.

Toyama also delves into the rather…odd trend displayed by Silicon Valley elites of keeping their children far away from the same technology they frenetically urge everybody else’s children to adopt.

With a bit of a detour into the wisdom of Dr. Suess, the discussion wends its way into some philosophical territory, examining how technology can make it harder to maintain the heart, mind, and will to be good people.

This podcast originally aired in late 2016.

Get full access to The Technoskeptic Magazine at technoskeptic.substack.com/subscribe