Blinded by Technology

The cloud of technology is blinding us. Efficiency and innovation are the buzzwords of the technology industry. To minimize the negative consequences of these technologies on society, critics are asking to regulate the physical infrastructure, for access to the algorithms and adequate privacy legislation to limit data misuse. In their eyes, all three should provide frameworks to govern the data society. This focus on technology and individual privacy is blinding us and preventing us from asking the questions: how and why did we end up here? We did not end up at the point where we are now by accident, and it is not a permanent state. This talk will not look at technology but at power. We will unpack the ideology that is shaping our vocabulary and understanding of society and explore how computation is creating a new dependency. We will look at the implications of quick solutions and unpack the power structures behind technology.