Stand Out of Our Light | James Williams | TEDxAthens

[Music]

[Music] gachaaan in most philosophers do not

gachaaan in most philosophers do not

gachaaan in most philosophers do not live in big ceramic barrels in their

live in big ceramic barrels in their

live in big ceramic barrels in their local supermarket but there was one just

local supermarket but there was one just

local supermarket but there was one just down the road from here actually not so

down the road from here actually not so

down the road from here actually not so very long ago his name was Diogenes of

very long ago his name was Diogenes of

very long ago his name was Diogenes of Sinope a and he was probably the closest

Sinope a and he was probably the closest

Sinope a and he was probably the closest thing philosophy has ever produced to a

thing philosophy has ever produced to a

thing philosophy has ever produced to a troll he was rude outrageous impulsive

troll he was rude outrageous impulsive

troll he was rude outrageous impulsive offensive but he was deeply admired by

offensive but he was deeply admired by

offensive but he was deeply admired by Alexander the Great who was arguably the

Alexander the Great who was arguably the

Alexander the Great who was arguably the most powerful person in the world at the

most powerful person in the world at the

most powerful person in the world at the time it said that one day Alexander went

time it said that one day Alexander went

time it said that one day Alexander went to visit Diogenes in his big barrel in

to visit Diogenes in his big barrel in

to visit Diogenes in his big barrel in the marketplace and went up to him and

the marketplace and went up to him and

the marketplace and went up to him and said Diogenes I will grant any one wish

said Diogenes I will grant any one wish

said Diogenes I will grant any one wish that you have just tell me what you want

that you have just tell me what you want

that you have just tell me what you want Diogenes was lying in the Sun at the

Diogenes was lying in the Sun at the

Diogenes was lying in the Sun at the time and true to his form he looked up

time and true to his form he looked up

time and true to his form he looked up at Alexander and replied stand out of my

at Alexander and replied stand out of my

at Alexander and replied stand out of my light and I love this story because it

light and I love this story because it

light and I love this story because it has lessons for us about how we should

has lessons for us about how we should

has lessons for us about how we should be responding to the alexander’s of our

be responding to the alexander’s of our

be responding to the alexander’s of our time our digital technologies and the

time our digital technologies and the

time our digital technologies and the people who create them because like

people who create them because like

people who create them because like Alexander they’ve come into our lives

Alexander they’ve come into our lives

Alexander they’ve come into our lives and offered to fill all sorts of needs

and offered to fill all sorts of needs

and offered to fill all sorts of needs and wishes that we have and in many ways

and wishes that we have and in many ways

and wishes that we have and in many ways they’ve done so extremely well but we’re

they’ve done so extremely well but we’re

they’ve done so extremely well but we’re beginning to realize now that in doing

beginning to realize now that in doing

beginning to realize now that in doing so they like Alexander have also been

so they like Alexander have also been

so they like Alexander have also been standing in our lion in a sense and in

standing in our lion in a sense and in

standing in our lion in a sense and in one light in particular that is so

one light in particular that is so

one light in particular that is so precious and so essential for human

precious and so essential for human

precious and so essential for human flourishing there without this light the

flourishing there without this light the

flourishing there without this light the other benefits of technology might not

other benefits of technology might not

other benefits of technology might not do us very much good the light that I

do us very much good the light that I

do us very much good the light that I mean is the light of our attention

mean is the light of our attention

mean is the light of our attention there’s something profound and

there’s something profound and

there’s something profound and potentially irreversible happening to

potentially irreversible happening to

potentially irreversible happening to human attention in the digital age it’s

human attention in the digital age it’s

human attention in the digital age it’s more than just distraction it’s more

more than just distraction it’s more

more than just distraction it’s more than just addiction or manipulation

than just addiction or manipulation

than just addiction or manipulation in fact I think that the way we respond

in fact I think that the way we respond

in fact I think that the way we respond to this challenge could be the defining

to this challenge could be the defining

to this challenge could be the defining moral and political issue of our time

moral and political issue of our time

moral and political issue of our time I’d like to tell you why I think so and

I’d like to tell you why I think so and

I’d like to tell you why I think so and what I think we can do about it in the

what I think we can do about it in the

what I think we can do about it in the 1970s Herbert Simon pointed out that in

1970s Herbert Simon pointed out that in

1970s Herbert Simon pointed out that in an environment of information abundance

an environment of information abundance

an environment of information abundance attention becomes the scarce resource

attention becomes the scarce resource

attention becomes the scarce resource there’s a kind of figure ground

there’s a kind of figure ground

there’s a kind of figure ground inversion that takes place and this

inversion that takes place and this

inversion that takes place and this inversion has happened so quickly and so

inversion has happened so quickly and so

inversion has happened so quickly and so recently that we’re still just beginning

recently that we’re still just beginning

recently that we’re still just beginning to come to terms with what it means for

to come to terms with what it means for

to come to terms with what it means for human life but because attention is the

human life but because attention is the

human life but because attention is the scarce resource it is now the object of

scarce resource it is now the object of

scarce resource it is now the object of competition among most of the

competition among most of the

competition among most of the technologies we use every day

technologies we use every day

technologies we use every day the total environment of competition for

the total environment of competition for

the total environment of competition for our attention is often called the

our attention is often called the

our attention is often called the attention economy and in the attention

attention economy and in the attention

attention economy and in the attention economy there are no truly free products

economy there are no truly free products

economy there are no truly free products you pay with your attentional labor

you pay with your attentional labor

you pay with your attentional labor every time you look or tap or scroll or

every time you look or tap or scroll or

every time you look or tap or scroll or click and this is exactly what they’re

click and this is exactly what they’re

click and this is exactly what they’re designed to try to get you to do and

designed to try to get you to do and

designed to try to get you to do and they use the your attentional labor to

they use the your attentional labor to

they use the your attentional labor to advance their goals not yours because

advance their goals not yours because

advance their goals not yours because there is a difference between their

there is a difference between their

there is a difference between their goals and yours if you think about the

goals and yours if you think about the

goals and yours if you think about the goals that you have for yourself today

goals that you have for yourself today

goals that you have for yourself today this year and even beyond they’re

this year and even beyond they’re

this year and even beyond they’re probably things like I want to spend

probably things like I want to spend

probably things like I want to spend more time with family or I want to learn

more time with family or I want to learn

more time with family or I want to learn how to play the piano or what it take

how to play the piano or what it take

how to play the piano or what it take that trip that I’ve been thinking about

that trip that I’ve been thinking about

that trip that I’ve been thinking about for a while you know these are real

for a while you know these are real

for a while you know these are real human goals this stuff that when we’re

human goals this stuff that when we’re

human goals this stuff that when we’re on our deathbed if we don’t do we’ll

on our deathbed if we don’t do we’ll

on our deathbed if we don’t do we’ll probably regret it but if you look at

probably regret it but if you look at

probably regret it but if you look at what the technologies of the attention

what the technologies of the attention

what the technologies of the attention economy are designed to promote in our

economy are designed to promote in our

economy are designed to promote in our lives if you don’t see these goals what

lives if you don’t see these goals what

lives if you don’t see these goals what you see are things like maximize the

you see are things like maximize the

you see are things like maximize the amount of time I spend using it or the

amount of time I spend using it or the

amount of time I spend using it or the amount of clicks did I make or the

amount of clicks did I make or the

amount of clicks did I make or the number of pages or ads that I view now I

number of pages or ads that I view now I

number of pages or ads that I view now I don’t know anybody who has these goals

don’t know anybody who has these goals

don’t know anybody who has these goals for themselves

for themselves

for themselves does anybody wake up in the morning and

does anybody wake up in the morning and

does anybody wake up in the morning and think how much time can I possibly spend

think how much time can I possibly spend

think how much time can I possibly spend on Facebook today I certainly don’t if

on Facebook today I certainly don’t if

on Facebook today I certainly don’t if there’s someone out there like that I’d

there’s someone out there like that I’d

there’s someone out there like that I’d love to meet though

love to meet though

love to meet though but what this means is that there’s a

but what this means is that there’s a

but what this means is that there’s a deep gap between our goals and theirs

deep gap between our goals and theirs

deep gap between our goals and theirs and at the technologies of the attention

and at the technologies of the attention

and at the technologies of the attention economy are not on our side their goals

economy are not on our side their goals

economy are not on our side their goals are not our goals these are distractions

are not our goals these are distractions

are not our goals these are distractions petty distractions from the goals of

petty distractions from the goals of

petty distractions from the goals of life and this seems to me to be a really

life and this seems to me to be a really

life and this seems to me to be a really big deal even more so because the

big deal even more so because the

big deal even more so because the creators of these technologies know that

creators of these technologies know that

creators of these technologies know that this is the case Steve Jobs did not let

this is the case Steve Jobs did not let

this is the case Steve Jobs did not let his children use the iPad the CEO of

his children use the iPad the CEO of

his children use the iPad the CEO of Netflix a little while back said that in

Netflix a little while back said that in

Netflix a little while back said that in addition to snapchat and YouTube one of

addition to snapchat and YouTube one of

addition to snapchat and YouTube one of their biggest competitors asleep this

their biggest competitors asleep this

their biggest competitors asleep this seems to me a crisis of design ethics

seems to me a crisis of design ethics

seems to me a crisis of design ethics the crisis of self-regulation

the crisis of self-regulation

the crisis of self-regulation that design is actually amplifying and

that design is actually amplifying and

that design is actually amplifying and making even worse in the last couple of

making even worse in the last couple of

making even worse in the last couple of decades psychology and behavioral

decades psychology and behavioral

decades psychology and behavioral economics research has catalogued an

economics research has catalogued an

economics research has catalogued an enormous number of vulnerabilities in

enormous number of vulnerabilities in

enormous number of vulnerabilities in our brands little buttons that can be

our brands little buttons that can be

our brands little buttons that can be pushed to get us to think or do certain

pushed to get us to think or do certain

pushed to get us to think or do certain things in parallel with this the

things in parallel with this the

things in parallel with this the advertising industry has effectively

advertising industry has effectively

advertising industry has effectively colonized the internet and turned it

colonized the internet and turned it

colonized the internet and turned it into a large-scale system of industrial

into a large-scale system of industrial

into a large-scale system of industrial persuasion of measurement of

persuasion of measurement of

persuasion of measurement of optimization of message delivery what’s

optimization of message delivery what’s

optimization of message delivery what’s more this power this persuasive power is

more this power this persuasive power is

more this power this persuasive power is more centralized than at any time in

more centralized than at any time in

more centralized than at any time in human history never before in history

human history never before in history

human history never before in history have a few people at a few companies in

have a few people at a few companies in

have a few people at a few companies in one state in one country been able to

one state in one country been able to

one state in one country been able to shape the attentional habits of billions

shape the attentional habits of billions

shape the attentional habits of billions of human beings Alexander could have

of human beings Alexander could have

of human beings Alexander could have never even dreamed of that sort of power

never even dreamed of that sort of power

never even dreamed of that sort of power so I think it’s no hyperbole to say that

so I think it’s no hyperbole to say that

so I think it’s no hyperbole to say that the digital attention economy is the

the digital attention economy is the

the digital attention economy is the largest system and most effective system

largest system and most effective system

largest system and most effective system for human attitudinal and behavioral

for human attitudinal and behavioral

for human attitudinal and behavioral manipulation the world has ever seen and

manipulation the world has ever seen and

manipulation the world has ever seen and again this seems to me an enormous

again this seems to me an enormous

again this seems to me an enormous question I think what’s happened is that

question I think what’s happened is that

question I think what’s happened is that as Aldous Huxley said of the defenders

as Aldous Huxley said of the defenders

as Aldous Huxley said of the defenders of freedom in his time that they had

of freedom in his time that they had

of freedom in his time that they had failed to take into account man’s almost

failed to take into account man’s almost

failed to take into account man’s almost infinite appetite for distractions I

infinite appetite for distractions I

infinite appetite for distractions I think that in the design of digital

think that in the design of digital

think that in the design of digital technologies we have made exactly the

technologies we have made exactly the

technologies we have made exactly the same mistake and I think that it is

same mistake and I think that it is

same mistake and I think that it is for us to start taking those into

for us to start taking those into

for us to start taking those into account so how can we start to do that

account so how can we start to do that

account so how can we start to do that well I think what it would require

well I think what it would require

well I think what it would require essentially is to start asserting and

essentially is to start asserting and

essentially is to start asserting and defending our freedom of attention now

defending our freedom of attention now

defending our freedom of attention now this is a type of freedom we have always

this is a type of freedom we have always

this is a type of freedom we have always had but never needed to seriously assert

had but never needed to seriously assert

had but never needed to seriously assert or defend because there wasn’t a whole

or defend because there wasn’t a whole

or defend because there wasn’t a whole lot in our world that could seriously

lot in our world that could seriously

lot in our world that could seriously threaten it but I think we can find good

threaten it but I think we can find good

threaten it but I think we can find good precedent on the great writers on a

precedent on the great writers on a

precedent on the great writers on a subject for instance John Stuart Mill

subject for instance John Stuart Mill

subject for instance John Stuart Mill who said that the appropriate region of

who said that the appropriate region of

who said that the appropriate region of human Liberty comprises the inward

human Liberty comprises the inward

human Liberty comprises the inward domain of consciousness freedom of mind

domain of consciousness freedom of mind

domain of consciousness freedom of mind is the first sort of freedom he adds

is the first sort of freedom he adds

is the first sort of freedom he adds that the principle of Liberty Liberty of

that the principle of Liberty Liberty of

that the principle of Liberty Liberty of tastes and pursuits of framing the plan

tastes and pursuits of framing the plan

tastes and pursuits of framing the plan of our life to suit our own character so

of our life to suit our own character so

of our life to suit our own character so what this suggests to me is that we need

what this suggests to me is that we need

what this suggests to me is that we need to start thinking more broadly about

to start thinking more broadly about

to start thinking more broadly about what we mean by the concept of attention

what we mean by the concept of attention

what we mean by the concept of attention in order to take into account the full

in order to take into account the full

in order to take into account the full spectrum of distractions that are now

spectrum of distractions that are now

spectrum of distractions that are now being unleashed in our world because

being unleashed in our world because

being unleashed in our world because when we hear the term attention what we

when we hear the term attention what we

when we hear the term attention what we normally think of is the spotlight of

normally think of is the spotlight of

normally think of is the spotlight of attention kind of the immediate way we

attention kind of the immediate way we

attention kind of the immediate way we shape our awareness within the task

shape our awareness within the task

shape our awareness within the task domain so the attention that you know

domain so the attention that you know

domain so the attention that you know you’re all giving to me right now in

you’re all giving to me right now in

you’re all giving to me right now in this moment attention for which by the

this moment attention for which by the

this moment attention for which by the way I’m very grateful but and so when

way I’m very grateful but and so when

way I’m very grateful but and so when this when the spotlight of our attention

this when the spotlight of our attention

this when the spotlight of our attention gets obscured it sort of interferes with

gets obscured it sort of interferes with

gets obscured it sort of interferes with our ability to act so let’s say I’m

our ability to act so let’s say I’m

our ability to act so let’s say I’m trying to read a book but I see on my

trying to read a book but I see on my

trying to read a book but I see on my phone that Donald Trump has unleashed

phone that Donald Trump has unleashed

phone that Donald Trump has unleashed another outrageous tweet and so I

another outrageous tweet and so I

another outrageous tweet and so I stopped reading my book and don’t finish

stopped reading my book and don’t finish

stopped reading my book and don’t finish reading it until later but over time

reading it until later but over time

reading it until later but over time actions become habits and the things we

actions become habits and the things we

actions become habits and the things we do become the people we are and we don’t

do become the people we are and we don’t

do become the people we are and we don’t have a way of talking about attention in

have a way of talking about attention in

have a way of talking about attention in this longer-term view with respect to

this longer-term view with respect to

this longer-term view with respect to our higher goals and our values so I

our higher goals and our values so I

our higher goals and our values so I think that we could maybe think of

think that we could maybe think of

think that we could maybe think of another light of attention beyond this

another light of attention beyond this

another light of attention beyond this spotlight of attention we could think of

spotlight of attention we could think of

spotlight of attention we could think of the Starlite of attention so the way we

the Starlite of attention so the way we

the Starlite of attention so the way we navigate our lives by the stars of our

navigate our lives by the stars of our

navigate our lives by the stars of our higher values so it’s technology if a

higher values so it’s technology if a

higher values so it’s technology if a technology obscures the Starlight of our

technology obscures the Starlight of our

technology obscures the Starlight of our attention we could

attention we could

attention we could we can see this especially in infinite

we can see this especially in infinite

we can see this especially in infinite scrolling news feeds like on Facebook or

scrolling news feeds like on Facebook or

scrolling news feeds like on Facebook or Twitter and when you pull down to

Twitter and when you pull down to

Twitter and when you pull down to refresh the same psychological mechanism

refresh the same psychological mechanism

refresh the same psychological mechanism as a play that is it play in the design

as a play that is it play in the design

as a play that is it play in the design of slot machines

of slot machines

of slot machines so does intermittent variable rewards

so does intermittent variable rewards

so does intermittent variable rewards when you randomize the reward you give

when you randomize the reward you give

when you randomize the reward you give somebody they’re more likely to do the

somebody they’re more likely to do the

somebody they’re more likely to do the behavior you want them to do and when

behavior you want them to do and when

behavior you want them to do and when the attention economy stands in the

the attention economy stands in the

the attention economy stands in the light of our art the star light of our

light of our art the star light of our

light of our art the star light of our attention it shapes our lives and its

attention it shapes our lives and its

attention it shapes our lives and its image our values become its values we

image our values become its values we

image our values become its values we become more petty or narcissistic more

become more petty or narcissistic more

become more petty or narcissistic more impulsive and I think this is perfectly

impulsive and I think this is perfectly

impulsive and I think this is perfectly represented by the CBS CEOs comment from

represented by the CBS CEOs comment from

represented by the CBS CEOs comment from February of last year when he said that

February of last year when he said that

February of last year when he said that Donald Trump’s candidacy may not be good

Donald Trump’s candidacy may not be good

Donald Trump’s candidacy may not be good for America but it’s damn good for CBS

for America but it’s damn good for CBS

for America but it’s damn good for CBS the attention economy doesn’t just shape

the attention economy doesn’t just shape

the attention economy doesn’t just shape our lives in its image it shapes our

our lives in its image it shapes our

our lives in its image it shapes our politics in its image again I think this

politics in its image again I think this

politics in its image again I think this is an urgent moral question that is

is an urgent moral question that is

is an urgent moral question that is being talked about virtually by no one

being talked about virtually by no one

being talked about virtually by no one but I think we could find one more light

but I think we could find one more light

but I think we could find one more light of our attention to talk about it’s when

of our attention to talk about it’s when

of our attention to talk about it’s when we it’s with it the technology doesn’t

we it’s with it the technology doesn’t

we it’s with it the technology doesn’t just make it harder to do what we want

just make it harder to do what we want

just make it harder to do what we want to do or to be who we want to be but in

to do or to be who we want to be but in

to do or to be who we want to be but in a sense to want what we want to want to

a sense to want what we want to want to

a sense to want what we want to want to define our goals and values in the first

define our goals and values in the first

define our goals and values in the first place we can think of this as the

place we can think of this as the

place we can think of this as the daylight of our attention the light by

daylight of our attention the light by

daylight of our attention the light by which we’re able to do everything else

which we’re able to do everything else

which we’re able to do everything else so when technology undermines the

so when technology undermines the

so when technology undermines the daylight of our attention it erodes our

daylight of our attention it erodes our

daylight of our attention it erodes our fundamental capacities like reason

fundamental capacities like reason

fundamental capacities like reason reflection intelligence metacognition

reflection intelligence metacognition

reflection intelligence metacognition one way we see this very clearly is in

one way we see this very clearly is in

one way we see this very clearly is in the proliferation of outrage in our

the proliferation of outrage in our

the proliferation of outrage in our societies and in our world outrage the

societies and in our world outrage the

societies and in our world outrage the impulse to judge and punish was

impulse to judge and punish was

impulse to judge and punish was extremely valuable at earlier stages of

extremely valuable at earlier stages of

extremely valuable at earlier stages of human evolution in small foraging groups

human evolution in small foraging groups

human evolution in small foraging groups have promoted moral clarity social

have promoted moral clarity social

have promoted moral clarity social solidarity it was a way of signaling to

solidarity it was a way of signaling to

solidarity it was a way of signaling to other people that you could be trusted

other people that you could be trusted

other people that you could be trusted but when we amplify this on a societal

but when we amplify this on a societal

but when we amplify this on a societal scale it results in large-scale social

scale it results in large-scale social

scale it results in large-scale social division and rampant retaliation to give

division and rampant retaliation to give

division and rampant retaliation to give you one exam

you one exam

you one exam I don’t know how many of you remember

I don’t know how many of you remember

I don’t know how many of you remember this there’s a dentist from Minnesota a

this there’s a dentist from Minnesota a

this there’s a dentist from Minnesota a little while back that went to the

little while back that went to the

little while back that went to the Zimbabwe and killed a lion named Cecil

Zimbabwe and killed a lion named Cecil

Zimbabwe and killed a lion named Cecil it was a stupid thing to do he probably

it was a stupid thing to do he probably

it was a stupid thing to do he probably shouldn’t have done it it might have

shouldn’t have done it it might have

shouldn’t have done it it might have been illegal I don’t know but what

been illegal I don’t know but what

been illegal I don’t know but what happened as a result of that is the

happened as a result of that is the

happened as a result of that is the entire internet came down on this man

entire internet came down on this man

entire internet came down on this man for a bad decision it was this whole

for a bad decision it was this whole

for a bad decision it was this whole sort of festival of public shaming

sort of festival of public shaming

sort of festival of public shaming people showed up at his place of work

people showed up at his place of work

people showed up at his place of work putting signs on it saying rot in hell

putting signs on it saying rot in hell

putting signs on it saying rot in hell they showed up to his home and

they showed up to his home and

they showed up to his home and spray-painted it with children do this

spray-painted it with children do this

spray-painted it with children do this sort of thing we call it cyberbullying

sort of thing we call it cyberbullying

sort of thing we call it cyberbullying that when adults do it

that when adults do it

that when adults do it it is mob rule plain and simple and mob

it is mob rule plain and simple and mob

it is mob rule plain and simple and mob rule is precisely what Socrates held was

rule is precisely what Socrates held was

rule is precisely what Socrates held was the main route democracies take when

the main route democracies take when

the main route democracies take when they burn into tyrannies so we can think

they burn into tyrannies so we can think

they burn into tyrannies so we can think beyond the spotlight of our attention we

beyond the spotlight of our attention we

beyond the spotlight of our attention we can think not just in terms of doing

can think not just in terms of doing

can think not just in terms of doing what we want to do but being we want to

what we want to do but being we want to

what we want to do but being we want to be and ultimately wanting what we want

be and ultimately wanting what we want

be and ultimately wanting what we want to want this is an intolerable situation

to want this is an intolerable situation

to want this is an intolerable situation this should not persist as Aristotle

this should not persist as Aristotle

this should not persist as Aristotle said it is disgraceful

said it is disgraceful

said it is disgraceful to be unable to use our goods things we

to be unable to use our goods things we

to be unable to use our goods things we should not have to settle for a

should not have to settle for a

should not have to settle for a relationship with technology that is

relationship with technology that is

relationship with technology that is adversarial we should demand that they

adversarial we should demand that they

adversarial we should demand that they be on our side isn’t that what

be on our side isn’t that what

be on our side isn’t that what technology is for so how would we do

technology is for so how would we do

technology is for so how would we do that

that

that well in the past we’ve typically put it

well in the past we’ve typically put it

well in the past we’ve typically put it back on people themselves to deal with

back on people themselves to deal with

back on people themselves to deal with distraction to deal with the effects of

distraction to deal with the effects of

distraction to deal with the effects of technology to say work harder but in the

technology to say work harder but in the

technology to say work harder but in the digital age the persuasion is just too

digital age the persuasion is just too

digital age the persuasion is just too powerful and too ubiquitous and this

powerful and too ubiquitous and this

powerful and too ubiquitous and this will not work but neither can we blame

will not work but neither can we blame

will not work but neither can we blame the people who make these technologies

the people who make these technologies

the people who make these technologies these are by and large good people and I

these are by and large good people and I

these are by and large good people and I count many of them as my friends they’re

count many of them as my friends they’re

count many of them as my friends they’re just players in a game called the

just players in a game called the

just players in a game called the attention economy the problem is that

attention economy the problem is that

attention economy the problem is that game ultimately this is not a problem of

game ultimately this is not a problem of

game ultimately this is not a problem of the ethics of individual actors it’s a

the ethics of individual actors it’s a

the ethics of individual actors it’s a problem of the ethics of the system to

problem of the ethics of the system to

problem of the ethics of the system to the infrastructure what philosopher

the infrastructure what philosopher

the infrastructure what philosopher luciano floridi at oxford calls the

luciano floridi at oxford calls the

luciano floridi at oxford calls the infra affix so how can we change the

infra affix so how can we change the

infra affix so how can we change the situation well go back to what I said a

situation well go back to what I said a

situation well go back to what I said a little bit earlier about how what we’re

little bit earlier about how what we’re

little bit earlier about how what we’re doing is attentional labor

doing is attentional labor

doing is attentional labor using these technologies and paying for

using these technologies and paying for

using these technologies and paying for them with our time and our attention in

them with our time and our attention in

them with our time and our attention in this light we can frame the problem in

this light we can frame the problem in

this light we can frame the problem in two ways

two ways

two ways one is that we’re getting poor value for

one is that we’re getting poor value for

one is that we’re getting poor value for our attentional labor the other problem

our attentional labor the other problem

our attentional labor the other problem is that the conditions of that

is that the conditions of that

is that the conditions of that attentional labor are extremely poor now

attentional labor are extremely poor now

attentional labor are extremely poor now throughout history when people have been

throughout history when people have been

throughout history when people have been faced with this situation what they’ve

faced with this situation what they’ve

faced with this situation what they’ve done is to organize to create mechanisms

done is to organize to create mechanisms

done is to organize to create mechanisms of collective representation so that

of collective representation so that

of collective representation so that they can collectively negotiate with

they can collectively negotiate with

they can collectively negotiate with those in power with those alexander’s of

those in power with those alexander’s of

those in power with those alexander’s of their time so what I think is needed is

their time so what I think is needed is

their time so what I think is needed is something that will give us a voice a

something that will give us a voice a

something that will give us a voice a direct voice in the design of our

direct voice in the design of our

direct voice in the design of our technologies and now no mechanism like

technologies and now no mechanism like

technologies and now no mechanism like this existence today so what I’m calling

this existence today so what I’m calling

this existence today so what I’m calling for and what is needed is a labor union

for and what is needed is a labor union

for and what is needed is a labor union or something like it for the attention

or something like it for the attention

or something like it for the attention economy and there’s a community of

economy and there’s a community of

economy and there’s a community of people who are passionate and thinking

people who are passionate and thinking

people who are passionate and thinking about these issues going under the name

about these issues going under the name

about these issues going under the name time well spent so that you can know

time well spent so that you can know

time well spent so that you can know when you spend time with your

when you spend time with your

when you spend time with your technologies that it won’t just be time

technologies that it won’t just be time

technologies that it won’t just be time spent it will be time well spent so

spent it will be time well spent so

spent it will be time well spent so we’re thinking about how to change the

we’re thinking about how to change the

we’re thinking about how to change the attention economy coming up with better

attention economy coming up with better

attention economy coming up with better metrics better principles processes

metrics better principles processes

metrics better principles processes business models and if you’re passionate

business models and if you’re passionate

business models and if you’re passionate about this we would love to engage with

about this we would love to engage with

about this we would love to engage with you because the thing is we need your

you because the thing is we need your

you because the thing is we need your help to make this to make this a reality

help to make this to make this a reality

help to make this to make this a reality and to change the system because at the

and to change the system because at the

and to change the system because at the end of the day your attention is the

end of the day your attention is the

end of the day your attention is the most precious resource that you have

most precious resource that you have

most precious resource that you have it’s the ultimate scarce and finite

it’s the ultimate scarce and finite

it’s the ultimate scarce and finite resource and the challenges that are

resource and the challenges that are

resource and the challenges that are facing humanity right now so many big

facing humanity right now so many big

facing humanity right now so many big and important challenges before anything

and important challenges before anything

and important challenges before anything else what they require of us is that we

else what they require of us is that we

else what they require of us is that we be able to give attention to the things

be able to give attention to the things

be able to give attention to the things that matter on individual levels and at

that matter on individual levels and at

that matter on individual levels and at the collective level and this is

the collective level and this is

the collective level and this is precisely what the technologies of the

precisely what the technologies of the

precisely what the technologies of the attention economy are undermining and

attention economy are undermining and

attention economy are undermining and ultimately this this relates to the very

ultimately this this relates to the very

ultimately this this relates to the very goals of life because you know nobody on

goals of life because you know nobody on

goals of life because you know nobody on their death bed ever looked back and

their death bed ever looked back and

their death bed ever looked back and said I wish I had spent more time on

said I wish I had spent more time on

said I wish I had spent more time on Facebook you know what we what we regret

Facebook you know what we what we regret

Facebook you know what we what we regret are those real goals the human goals

are those real goals the human goals

are those real goals the human goals those things that make

those things that make

those things that make life worth living and so from here you

life worth living and so from here you

life worth living and so from here you know I think it will take some time to

know I think it will take some time to

know I think it will take some time to reform the attention economy big

reform the attention economy big

reform the attention economy big projects usually take time but in the

projects usually take time but in the

projects usually take time but in the mean time I think what we need to do is

mean time I think what we need to do is

mean time I think what we need to do is organize so that we can have a voice

organize so that we can have a voice

organize so that we can have a voice directly a direct voice to these those

directly a direct voice to these those

directly a direct voice to these those who create our technologies and we

who create our technologies and we

who create our technologies and we should continue to reap the benefits of

should continue to reap the benefits of

should continue to reap the benefits of our technologies and continue to affirm

our technologies and continue to affirm

our technologies and continue to affirm and support the people who create them

and support the people who create them

and support the people who create them because they carry that flame of

because they carry that flame of

because they carry that flame of innovation and creativity that is so

innovation and creativity that is so

innovation and creativity that is so core to the human project but before

core to the human project but before

core to the human project but before anything else we need to organize and

anything else we need to organize and

anything else we need to organize and ask them for their attention so that we

ask them for their attention so that we

ask them for their attention so that we can tell them what we want them to do

can tell them what we want them to do

can tell them what we want them to do with ours before anything else we need

with ours before anything else we need

with ours before anything else we need to ask them to stand out of our light

to ask them to stand out of our light

to ask them to stand out of our light thank you for your attention

thank you for your attention

thank you for your attention [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

you

you [Music]