Is technology an #existential threat? What role might #mastodon play in that #threat? The former question is asked by the #Guardian in a recent #interview with #Jaron Lanier, the computer scientist who coined the term #virtualreality. The latter question is up to us. #Lanier says “If we can coordinate ourselves to solve the climate crisis it’s a fundamental sign we haven’t become completely dysfunctional.” Can we rise to the challenge of #cooperative #organization?

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/27/jaron-lanier-tech-threat-humanity-twitter-social-media

From the book "Ten Arguments for Deleting Your #Social #Media Accounts Right Now" by #Jaron #Lanier:
"On social networks, the manipulation of social emotions has been the easiest way to generate rewards and punishments. That might change someday, if drones start dropping actual candy from the sky when you do what the algorithm wants, but for now it’s all about feelings that can be evoked in you—mostly, feelings regarding what other people think". :)