I appreciate this. Let me provide a thought on how to respond to a certain type of critique: the small market of young people who can get engaged in this. I think some people, especially young people, who are not naturally tech people have an aversion to thinking they can or should do anything tech related. Part of the issue is that what motivates them is not the underlying tech but aesthetically great consumer products. Art, music, shows, video games, sports, outdoors, religion, and most importantly friends and people. So how do we motivate these natural affections into innovation, which is far less a natural activity?
One way is provide not merely a vision of tech like this, which appeals to fixing problems, optimism, true patriotism, and analytic thinking, but also to have some vision of a personally meaningful life. Now that’s hard, since everyone has their own ideo of what a good life consists in. But in each context and subculture the “progress studies foundational tech” view will have to adapt a message to fit the terminal goals of the audience.
I’m working on such a framing for education that provides a broader view of how tech fits into a good life. (Website should be up next month). The tradeoff is that I commit to more value assumptions that others might not share. But to bring others into a view, you need to put some meat on the bones. The structure of the idea must be embodied in a culture… And culture is always somewhat particular.
What I like about your post is how particular you get. That packs a powerful punch.
I appreciate this. Let me provide a thought on how to respond to a certain type of critique: the small market of young people who can get engaged in this. I think some people, especially young people, who are not naturally tech people have an aversion to thinking they can or should do anything tech related. Part of the issue is that what motivates them is not the underlying tech but aesthetically great consumer products. Art, music, shows, video games, sports, outdoors, religion, and most importantly friends and people. So how do we motivate these natural affections into innovation, which is far less a natural activity?
One way is provide not merely a vision of tech like this, which appeals to fixing problems, optimism, true patriotism, and analytic thinking, but also to have some vision of a personally meaningful life. Now that’s hard, since everyone has their own ideo of what a good life consists in. But in each context and subculture the “progress studies foundational tech” view will have to adapt a message to fit the terminal goals of the audience.
I’m working on such a framing for education that provides a broader view of how tech fits into a good life. (Website should be up next month). The tradeoff is that I commit to more value assumptions that others might not share. But to bring others into a view, you need to put some meat on the bones. The structure of the idea must be embodied in a culture… And culture is always somewhat particular.
What I like about your post is how particular you get. That packs a powerful punch.
Hi Sebastian. Yes—this is a great challenge. And I’d love to see your website when it’s up!