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System error: where big tech went wrong and how we can reboot
Reich R., Sahami M., Weinstein J., HarperCollins, New York, NY, 2021. 352 pp. Type: Book (978-0-063064-88-1)
Date Reviewed: Jun 28 2022

Today’s massive technology companies are maximizing profit through optimization, efficiency, and, in the opinion of some, a dystopian obsession with algorithms, surveillance, and control. While some contemporary authors such as Talia [1] simply highlight the issues without comment, others such as Taplin [2] see them as more malevolent. Reich, Sahami, and Weinstein are in this latter group and see the power of large technology companies and their impact on society as an anathema to the naive optimism of the 1970s: that technology would liberate mankind. They discuss how the cold profit objectives of venture capitalists, supported by zealous engineers, are eroding our society and propose solutions.

The authors begin with a preface, reflecting on the exercise of power by large tech companies and discussing background work at Stanford University that examines the impact of technical innovation, and then set out their goals for the book. An introduction provides some background, detailing several examples of disruptive consequences of technical development. The remainder of the book is divided into three parts.

The three chapters of Part 1 focus on the impact that disruptive technologies have had on democracy. Chapter 1 examines the mindset of optimization, discussing the disruption that has resulted from technology innovation using the US Postal Service as an example. Some assumptions associated with optimization and efficiency are discussed. Chapter 2 examines the problems that can arise when engineers and technologists meet the corporate mindset of venture capitalists. In particular, the transformation of market power into political power and the impact this can have on democracy. Chapter 3 then discusses the impact of technology disruption and regulation (or the lack of it) on democracy in more detail.

The four chapters of Part 2 look more closely at aspects of various technologies. Chapter 4 considers the outcomes from decision-making algorithms. How are these algorithms used, are the outcomes from them “fair,” and can the decision-making processes of algorithmic decision-making be transparent? Chapter 5 discusses the implications of technology on the unceasing collection and monetization of private and personal data. The modern concept of personal privacy in Western culture and the rise in Europe of a belief in the right to privacy, perhaps a consequence of the authoritarian regimes on that continent during the 20th century, are discussed. Chapter 6 considers a future world of smart machines and the decisions they (more precisely, their algorithms) make. The process of automation can relieve humans of repetitive drudgery, but also of enjoyment--the balance between these perspectives is discussed, as well as the consequences for those (generally unskilled) workers who perform these repetitive tasks. The last chapter of Part 2 discusses the impact of the Internet, moderation using artificial intelligence, and other social media technologies on free speech. Reich et al. do make an effort to cover global considerations and are not limited to a Western approach to free speech.

In the final part, the authors revisit and discuss the issues in more detail and consider what democratic societies are able to do to balance the benefits and drawbacks resulting from new technologies and the large corporations benefiting from them.

The authors finish with quite detailed references and notes by chapter, and a thorough index. A thought-provoking treatise on the inimical reshaping of our society and culture by large, multinational technology companies, highlighting some of the dark consequences of Toffler’s [3] predictions.

More reviews about this item: Amazon

Reviewer:  David B. Henderson Review #: CR147461 (2209-0125)
1) Talia, D. Big data and the computable society: algorithms and people in the digital world. World Scientific, Hackensack, NJ, 2019.
2) Taplin, J. Move fast and break things: how Facebook, Google, and Amazon cornered culture and undermined democracy. Little, Brown and Company, New York, NY, 2017.
3) Toffler, A. The third wave. Morrow, New York, NY, 1980.
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