Ethics Archives

Shoshana Zuboff on Surveillance Capitalism: Rewiring Free Will

What does Shoshana Zuboff say about the goals of surveillance capitalism? What is persuasive technology? In her book, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, Harvard professor Shoshana Zuboff builds on the dangers of surveillance capitalism to society, arguing that the goal is to modify your free will. Zuboff’s book explains how big tech companies are already controlling people’s behavior. Keep reading for an overview of Shoshana Zuboff on surveillance capitalism’s dangerous goals.

Satya Nadella: Empathy Is the Cornerstone of Life & Work

How did Satya Nadella deal with his son’s disabilities? How did he apply those lessons to the rest of his life and career? The theme that is the most central to Satya Nadella’s business philosophy is empathy. For Nadella, empathy is the cornerstone of all that he does, both personally and professionally, and he believes that it’s shaped his career at Microsoft and his vision for the company. Keep reading to learn how Nadella developed empathy and why it’s so important to him.

Humans and Machines: Microsoft’s Approach to AI

What concerns should we have about artificial intelligence? What do we need to keep in mind as the relationship between humans and machines advances? Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is fascinated by artificial intelligence (AI). In his book Hit Refresh, he discusses the three principles behind Microsoft’s approach to AI, acknowledging that AI will become more and more a part of our lives. Continue reading to learn about Microsoft’s AI philosophy.

The Dangers of a Surveillance Economy, According to Zuboff

What is a surveillance economy? Why does it threaten your right to privacy? What are the other dangers? In The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, Harvard professor Shoshana Zuboff explores the concept and dangerous consequences of “surveillance capitalism.” By learning about these dangers, you’ll be better equipped to protect your privacy against a surveillance economy. Keep reading to learn about the surveillance economy and its consequences, according to Zuboff.

Shoshana Zuboff: The Age of Surveillance Capitalism Overview

Want an overview of Shoshana Zuboff’s The Age of Surveillance Capitalism? What are the book’s main points and takeaways? In her book, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, author and Harvard professor Shoshana Zuboff explains the concept, history, and consequences of big tech companies monitoring user behavior online. According to her, surveillance capitalism poses a threat to society and your personal freedoms. Read on for a brief overview of Shoshana Zuboff’s The Age of Surveillance Capitalism.

Showing Empathy to Customers, Competitors, & Partners

What role should empathy play in corporate leadership? Should you show empathy to competitors? Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella asserts that empathy is rooted in direct engagement and that it should be the cornerstone of all of a CEO’s relationships. Of course, this involves showing empathy to employees, but it also involves showing empathy to customers, competitors, and partners. Let’s explore how this empathy looks in the business world.

Germline Editing: Legal Status and Ethical Implications

What is germline editing? What are the ethical implications of using germline cells for gene therapy? Germline editing is a method of modifying one’s genome in such a way that the changes are passed down to all the subsequent generations. Currently, germline editing is illegal because of ethical concerns. Keep reading to learn about the implications of germline editing.

How Francis Galton’s Eugenics Inspired the Holocaust

Who first formulated eugenics? How did Galton’s ideas inspire the Holocaust? Francis Galton coined the term “eugenics” in 1883. Put simply, eugenics meant strategic breeding with the goal of producing a superior human race by weeding out undesirable traits. Galton’s ideas were deeply immoral from the start, but they didn’t reach their terrifying conclusion decades later when Hitler came to power. Here’s how Francis Galton’s eugenics has led to the extermination of 11 million people.

What Is Second-Order Thinking? Considering the Consequences

What is second-order thinking? How can it help you make better decisions? Because we live and act within large, interconnected systems—such as our workplaces or professional communities—our actions have consequences that ripple outward. Since anything you do has downstream effects, you should consider the immediate and secondary effects of any choice. Read more to learn how to use second-order thinking to everyone’s advantage.

Importance of a Sustainable Forest Management Strategy

Why should we have sustainable forest management strategies? What do we need to do to have healthy forests? Suzanne Simard’s research in Finding the Mother Tree has led to a shift in thinking about ecological relationships. She argues that in we need to create a sustainable forest management strategy to ensure the long-term health of trees. Continue reading to learn why we need to change how we take care of forests.