I generally tend to focus this blog on technology itself, not its social implications. But today, I really want to make an exception, as I believe this video would really resonate with many developers who follow my blog post, in particular if they are of my generation and have lived the PC and Internet revolution since their start.
In case you don't know Scott Hanselman, he's a Microsoft vice president and technology expert, and great technical presenter. But in this TEDx session he speaks with his personal voice and there is no company information.
This is the blog description: "The technology industry promised us connection, convenience, and creativity. Has it delivered, or offered false promises that may never be fully realized? Scott Hanselman offers a candid look at what’s really happening beneath the surface of AI and innovation and how we must make conscious, informed decisions about the tools shaping our future."
I actually saw this on social media, and added a couple of comments (which Scott liked):
" This is really really really a very powerful speech, while I appreciate your technical content, as many, this helps reflect on the role of tech in society -- something we are responsible for as developers, but also as power users. "
"Picking the social media you are on or open sourcing a life saving or live improving tech are part of the same story. We can choose sides and influence the direction, even without the power of the billionaires who are steering the conversation."
"I started with a Spectrum my parents could more easily afford, but a lot in your story and the quest of helping the technology improve our world has been part of my work, including writing to teach programming. I don't think our generation has failed, but things looked better with a more free web"
I hope you watch it, it's informative, but also quite fun. It's a good way to spend 20 minutes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVG8W-0p6vg