Have you ever felt like tech fandom was turning into a cult? A tech founder ‘preached’ that they heralded a new paradigm for humanity? AI will change everything, Cryptocurrency will make you rich, the ‘Singularity’ is coming! Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, etc are raised up as the new messiah by thousands of worshipers. Is it really so difficult to see the tendency of the billionaire technology founders to prey on our hopes and fears?
In a thought-provoking episode of Secure Talk, host Justin Beals interviews Greg Epstein, the Humanist Chaplain at Harvard and MIT, and a New York Times bestselling author about his upcoming book, "Tech Agnostic: How Technology Became the World's Most Powerful Religion and Why It Desperately Needs a Reformation." They discuss the intricate relationship between technology, ethics, security, and human experience, challenging traditional perspectives on cybersecurity. Through engaging conversations about societal equity, community connections, and the ethical implications of technology-induced isolation, Greg and Justin shed light on the profound cultural and existential impact of technology on modern life. The discussion delves into the psychological and emotional aspects of the tech world, drawing parallels with religious structures and highlighting the need for a balance between technological engagement and ethical responsibility.
Book: "Tech Agnostic: How Technology Became the World's Most Powerful Religion and Why it Desperately Needs a Reformation"
https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262049207/tech-agnostic/
What is Secure Talk Podcast?
Secure Talk reviews the latest threats, tips, and trends on security, innovation, and compliance.
Host Justin Beals interviews leading privacy, security and technology executives to discuss best practices related to IT security, data protection and compliance. Based in Seattle, he previously served as the CTO of NextStep and Koru, which won the 2018 Most Impactful Startup award from Wharton People Analytics. He is the creator of the patented Training, Tracking & Placement System and the author of “Aligning curriculum and evidencing learning effectiveness using semantic mapping of learning assets,” published in the International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJet). Justin earned a BA from Fort Lewis College.