Technology, Social Change And Human Behavior: Influence For Impact

✍ Scribed by Cornelia C. Walther

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Year: 2021
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 186
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book looks at the changing continuum that links individuals, communities and society. An outline of Aspirational Algorithms (AA) and Valuable Wearables is presented as tools to shift from an AI culture to the cultivation of Augmented Humanity (AH). The human mindset that is behind the design and use of technology determines the outcomes of technology. If the intended outcome is the common good, then the preceding human aspiration must be geared toward that goal. Only technology that is conceived with the aspiration of a society that lifts individuals to fulfill their potential can be a game-changer for good. Seeing the constant interplay between the four levels of human existence – soul, heart, mind, body, expressed as aspirations, emotions, thoughts and sensations, how technology may serve to systematically sway individuals from inspiration to desire, from informing to the ignition of tangible transformation. This transition is explained in the book along the scale of influence. Two convergent and mutually influencing dynamics are analyzed: first, the influence of values and aspirations on the impact of technology, and second, the influence of technology on the attitude and action of users. Both assess how hardware and software can serve a maximum of people to live a meaningful happy life.

✦ Table of Contents

Preface......Page 6
Technology Can Crush the Cycle of Greed and Inertia—If We Design It to Do So......Page 7
Notes......Page 11
References......Page 13
Acknowledgements......Page 14
Scope......Page 16
Contents......Page 17
About the Author......Page 20
List of Figures......Page 22
1 Perspective......Page 26
1.1 Principles......Page 28
1.2 Individuals......Page 29
1.2.1 The Body—Interface Between the Inner and Outer Realms, Between the Self and Others......Page 31
1.2.2 The Mind—From Mindless to ‘Mindfull’ to Mindful......Page 32
1.2.2.1 Ir-Rationality: Thoughts, Errors, Biases, and Decisions......Page 33
1.2.3 The Heart—Harbor of Emotions......Page 35
1.2.3.1 Thought/Bias > Bias/Emotion > Emotion/Decision > Decision/Behavior......Page 36
1.2.3.2 Empathy Versus Compassion......Page 37
1.2.4.1 Values—The Anchor of Aspirations......Page 38
1.2.4.2 The Golden Rule—A Golden Standard......Page 41
1.2.4.3 Mind and Matter......Page 42
1.2.4.5 Happiness and Meaning......Page 43
1.3 Society......Page 44
1.4.1 The Scale of Influence......Page 48
1.4.2 Influencing Mindsets......Page 51
1.4.3 The Inside-Out and Outside-in Principles......Page 53
1.4.4 Why It Matters—The Common Good......Page 56
References......Page 60
2 Optimization......Page 65
2.1 Technology: Treasure Chest—Black Box—Pandora’s Box......Page 68
2.1.1 What Is the Role of Technology in the Quest for Wellbeing?......Page 69
2.1.2 From Blessing to Burden......Page 71
2.2 Artificial Awareness......Page 72
2.3 Algorithmic Influence......Page 74
2.3.1 Priming Power......Page 75
2.3.2 Facts Versus Opinions......Page 76
2.4 Technological Treasure Hunt......Page 79
2.4.1 Body—Overcoming Physiological Limitations......Page 81
2.4.1.1 The Line Between Body and Brain, Mind and Matter, Real and Imagined Becomes Blurry......Page 82
2.4.1.2 Human—Machine Transitions......Page 84
2.4.2 Mind—Thinking Re-Thought......Page 86
2.4.2.2 Quality Increases Quantity......Page 87
2.4.2.3 Gather and Use......Page 88
2.4.3 Heart—The Oxymoron of Artificial Emotions......Page 90
2.4.4 Soul—Meaning-Making Machines......Page 92
2.4.4.1 Riding the Curve of Challenges......Page 94
2.4.4.2 From Self-Interest to the Common Good......Page 95
References......Page 101
3 Zeniths......Page 108
3.1 Micro—What Do We Value?......Page 112
3.1.1 Under-Utilized Micro-Potential......Page 114
3.1.2 The 4 Layers of Attitude......Page 117
3.2 Meso—What Is the Role of Institutions in the Pursuit of Human Values?......Page 119
3.2.1 Under-Utilized Meso-Potential......Page 121
3.3 Macro—What Is the Place of Culture and Legislation in the Upholding of Values?......Page 124
3.3.1 Under-Utilized Macro-Potential......Page 126
3.4 Meta—What Position Hold Supranational Institutions, Given the Global Reach of Technology?......Page 128
3.4.1 Under-Utilized Meta-Potential......Page 129
References......Page 137
4 Exposure......Page 143
4.1 Valuable Wearables. Digital Coaches......Page 146
4.1.1 Digital Coaches......Page 148
4.2.1 Added Value of AA Versus AI......Page 150
4.2.2 AA Prototype......Page 155
4.3 From Potential to Personal Power......Page 158
4.3.1.2 Connection......Page 159
4.3.2.1 Inspiration Islands......Page 160
4.3.2.2 Compassion for Change......Page 161
4.3.3.2 Purpose for Power......Page 162
4.3.3.3 Generalized Generosity......Page 163
4.3.4 Meta-Dimension......Page 164
4.4 Conclusion—Manifesting Augmented Humanity......Page 165
References......Page 178
Index......Page 182

✦ Subjects

Development Studies