New Dark Age
A critical examination of the dark side of technology and its impact on our future.
Summary of 6 Key Points
Key Points
- The illusion of omniscience
- The problem with data
- Algorithmic governance
- The dark side of technology
- The end of the future
- Technological ignorance
key point 1 of 6
The illusion of omniscience
The illusion of omniscience refers to the false belief that we can know or understand everything. It is a dangerous folly born out of an overreliance on data and a misunderstanding of its power and limitations. While data can provide valuable insights and aid decision-making, it is not an all-seeing oracle. It is limited by the methodologies used to collect it, the biases of those who interpret it, and the ever-changing nature of the world it attempts to capture…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 6
The problem with data
In ‘New Dark Age’, the problem with data is illuminated through an exploration of its limitations and the false sense of security it provides in the quest for knowledge and control. The author argues that the sheer abundance of data has moved us into a new kind of darkness rather than providing clarity. Instead of enlightening us, this deluge of data overwhelms and confuses, leading to a paradoxical situation where more information leads to less understanding. The book discusses the idea that data, rather than being a pure and neutral resource, is often messy, biased, and manipulated, which undercuts its reliability and usefulness…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 6
Algorithmic governance
Algorithmic governance in ‘New Dark Age’ is portrayed as a pervasive and often insidious means by which data and computational processes are used to make decisions that affect people’s lives, often without their awareness or consent. It suggests that, as algorithms become more sophisticated and are entrusted with more complex tasks, they play an increasingly significant role in shaping social, economic, and political spheres. The book emphasizes the idea that the workings of these algorithms are often opaque, leading to a lack of transparency and accountability in how decisions are made…Read&Listen More
key point 4 of 6
The dark side of technology
In the digital age, rather than illuminating the world, technology is obscuring it, casting new shadows and causing a new kind of darkness, a ‘New Dark Age’. Technology is not bringing clarity as initially hoped, instead, it is fostering confusion and uncertainty. As technology becomes more complex and increasingly embedded in every aspect of our lives, it is becoming more challenging to understand and control. This lack of transparency and understanding is the dark side of technology…Read&Listen More
key point 5 of 6
The end of the future
In the perspective of the ‘end of the future’, the notion of the predictive supremacy of technology is explored. The conventional idea of technology’s ability to shape the future is questioned. The preconception that technology always moves forward, always improving and progressing into an optimised future is scrutinised. The ‘end of the future’ suggests a radical transformation or complete cessation of this notion of linear progression…Read&Listen More
key point 6 of 6
Technological ignorance
Technological ignorance, as discussed, is the state of being uninformed or lacking knowledge about the fast-changing digital world. It’s a paradox where as technology grows exponentially, human understanding tends to decrease reciprocally. In a world of high-speed internet, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, many of us are grappling with understanding basic digital literacy, let alone keeping up with more complex technologies…Read&Listen More