Disturbing thought: is computing usability an enemy of freedom and agency?
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Disturbing thought: is computing usability an enemy of freedom and agency?
For decades the computer industry has made computing devices and technology (computers, phones, online services, etc) increasingly less skill and understanding to use. This helps them sell more.
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At the same time few people now actually understand the principles of devices work. I think this is partly why they have less agency and less freedom than people who do and who also have the means, skills, and energy to control their digital destiny. Most people are at the mercy of vendors, most of whom are unscrupulous
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We're at a point in history where powerful forces are trying to get humanity to rely on large language models for as many things as possible, and replace actual understanding with acceptance of what the computer tells them.
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I want to think usability is not a problem. But I wonder how much not understanding is necessary for usability. Maybe it'd be better for humanity's future if using technology required a little bit more understanding of the underlying principles and concepts than what currently happens.
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Computing should not be magic. It should also not exclude people from using it. This is a difficult dilemma.
I don't know. I will need to think about this. For once, I'm looking forward to replies.
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G gustavinobevilacqua@mastodon.cisti.org shared this topic
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It's not just computers, but every aspect of human activities.
It seems that people are, more or less intentionally, being dissuaded from thinking.
Because they could develop critical thinking? Maybe.
Who to blame? I don't know, alas there isn't the Bad Guy™ like in 007 movies.
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@GustavinoBevilacqua Could be Big Capital... Via financing the extreme right...
