Putting Blind Spots at the Center: How Technology is Amplifying Our Lack of Awareness

TLDRIn a world driven by technology, our blind spots are being amplified and spread with serious consequences. Tristan Harris, a design thinker and ethicist, suggests acknowledging our blind spots and putting them at the center of our institutions to foster more humane choices.

Key insights

🚦Technology is spreading our blind spots and impairing our judgment.

🔍People often share articles without reading them, contributing to the spread of misinformation.

🔥Algorithms prioritize popular content, not necessarily accurate or reliable information.

🧪Tactics like casting doubt on issues can manipulate public perception.

🧠Our reliance on reason and technology has limits when it comes to understanding our blind spots.

Q&A

How is technology spreading our blind spots?

Technology enables the rapid spread of information, often without verifying its accuracy. Social media algorithms prioritize popular content, which may not always be reliable or informative, spreading our blind spots to more people.

Why do people share articles without reading them?

Research shows that a significant portion of internet users share articles based solely on the headlines. This behavior contributes to the spreading of misinformation and blind spots, as people may not have read or critically analyzed the content they share.

What are the consequences of spreading blind spots?

Spreading blind spots can have serious consequences. It can manipulate public perception on important issues and hinder the ability to make informed decisions. For example, the firing of Facebook's human editorial news team and reliance on algorithms led to the top news story being a fabricated story with no basis in reality.

How can casting doubt on issues affect public perception?

Casting doubt on issues can create confusion and prevent people from making informed decisions. It is a strategy often used in marketing and public relations to undermine opposing viewpoints or scientific consensus. By spreading doubt, people may become skeptical of established facts and lack awareness of the true nature of issues.

What are the limits of reason and technology in understanding blind spots?

While reason and technology have advanced human knowledge and capabilities, they also have inherent limitations. Our minds have blind spots, and technology can amplify and spread these blind spots. It is essential to acknowledge our limitations and strive to create a world that addresses and mitigates blind spots.

Timestamped Summary

00:20Our blind spots obstruct our vision and impair judgment.

01:56Online behavior often involves sharing articles without reading them.

02:20Social media algorithms prioritize popular content, sometimes at the expense of accuracy.

03:31Casting doubt on issues can manipulate public perception.

05:21Reason and technology have their limits in understanding blind spots.