"Science Finds--Industry Applies--Man Confirms.""
(Motto of the 1933 Chicago World's Fair)
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power by Shoshana Zuboff was published this year (2019). It's incredibly well researched, much talked about, yet it's easy to read and gives plenty of material for us to discuss! 🎉
Read through the sources supplied below. Watch the Zuckerberg video after all of the Zuboff material. Discuss them amongst yourself and take notes.
Here is the way I approach a reading like this ahead of a discussion: I read and underline every possible prompt that I could pose to the class and also every bold, provocative statement or view of the author - such views are great to confront the class with to spark discussion.
Discussion points should include, but are not limited to:
- Translation from human experience to behavioral data?
- Customers, products or sources?
- Would Zuboff agree with this cartoon?
- Parallels to industrial revolution and climate change.
- Is Surveillance Capitalism the same as Technology?
- Is technology inevitable?
- Also consider this (and all other points) in a Chinese context.
- After Zuckerberg video (watch AFTER Zuboff):
- Why would surveillance capitalism be a good thing? Why would it not?
- Personalization & Service Improvements vs. Behavioral Data Surplus
- Present your research. Introduce your peers to the subject (10-15 minutes).
- Illustrate concepts through your own explanations and the example cases.
- Focus specifically on what you think the class needs to know to actively take part in the discussion.
- facilitate a discussion:
- develop (provocative) questions***** related to/inspired by the subject
- what contextual information does the class need to respond?
- discussion mode/starter (e.g. paper, partner brainstorm, mind map etc.)
Please arrange a meeting with me to catch up on your work (how about Friday?)
*****A good question is one that allows for multiple perspectives. Advice on how to hold better class discussions
- Chapter One: Home or Exile in the Digital Future, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, Shoshana Zuboff (2019) *
- Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, Shoshana Zuboff (2019) *
- Zuckerberg's Senate hearing highlights in 10 minutes, CNET, YouTube (2018)
* book supplied by Leon