Technology and Democracy

These messages focus on the potential and threats of technology, as it relates to democratic institutions.

    • Our Ever-Evolving Technology

      It may be the most underappreciated and impactful technology in both the 20th and 21st centuries. It’s a technology that is still evolving in its impact. But few would even think of it as a technology. Closed captioning, which opened up access to entertainment for...

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    • Keeping Up with Technology in a Democracy

      When domestic terrorists attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, the FBI was able to identify many of the terrorists using facial recognition technology (FRT). Artificial intelligence algorithms can match facial features from photos and videos of the riot to...

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    • Scientific Racism

      For centuries, scientific theories have been used to support racist beliefs. It’s striking how such false science keeps reappearing over time. It’s also striking how those we would normally hold in high regard have bought into or promoted these false theories. In the...

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    • Toxic Social Identities

      What makes people prejudiced or exhibit bigoted behavior toward others? For the longest time, psychologists that have said that such behavior resulted from personality factors that they were predisposed to. Henri Tajfel, a Polish psychologist felt...

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    • Technology Impacts on Self-Determination

      One of the basic principles of America democracy is the belief in self-determination. Every person, no matter their birth status, should have the right to achieve their own plan in life. Harry Radcliff was a role model for self-determination. Born to parents without...

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    • Judgement vs Technology

      Judge Delores (Dottie) Rickman was known as a thoughtful judge who treated each case she heard with sensitivity and common sense. Her sentencing decisions were remarkable in their effectiveness. She had an innate knowledge of how to use sentencing as a rehabilitation...

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    • Technology and Positive Social Change

      Born in the UK, Hera Hussain grew up in Pakistan. She returned to the UK and completed degrees in Psychology and Economics at the University of Glasgow. As a student, she became very interested in entrepreneurship. With a background in marketing and social media, Hera...

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    • Data Trusts, for the People?

      Imagine a gathering of old friends. As usual they were reminiscing about fun times together. Then unexpectedly, one of the women asked, “Do you find it difficult to find items in stores that you’ve used forever?” That question triggered one of the most spirited...

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    • Algorithmic Parenting

      [Trigger Warning: this post mentions suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255] Photo by Possessed Photography on Unsplash The Myers* family was devastated. Their teenage son Herbie died by suicide. He left no note, but a good look at his...

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    • Your Digital Accuser

      Imagine that you are a longstanding local postmaster. You’ve always prided yourself on your job and have been very careful as a custodian of public resources. That’s why you can’t believe it when you are arrested for stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the...

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