This Digital Skeptic Wishes You Aren’t Viewing This on Your Mobile Device

Stay open to the idea of exploration. Think, “I’m going to browse around. Is there a Luddite poster in this bookstore? What information can I find here?” This concept revolves around social infrastructure, encouraging a shift from “I’ll check an Instagram page for events” to “I actually need to venture out.” Stay alert; we’ll be around. Tompkins Square Park and possibly other parks, along with privately owned public spaces, will host our events throughout the city. It’s incredible. Knicks in five. New York is amazing.

In Gowanus, we like to introduce a fun game during each show.

I enjoy games.

We take pride in that. It’s called Control, Alt, Delete. I want to know which piece of technology you wish to control, which one you’d like to alter, and what you would delete from existence.

Wow.

Are you ready?

Control, Alt, Delete. Alright, let’s go.

Let’s start with control.

It’s amusing that you’re asking me this. I would say the servers that run the internet.

The internet was promoted as a means for a free exchange of knowledge globally, aimed at enhancing diversity and globalization, and then, suddenly, it morphed into military technology.

We witnessed this with Edward Snowden, essentially.

Now, onto alt.

I’m considering which technologies have genuinely positive impacts yet carry negative profit motives.

I’d alter social media platforms to adopt a federated system rather than a centralized one. This idea was nearly implemented when Twitter was created, but Jack Dorsey decided for a more centralized approach.

Lastly, delete.

I can’t wait. This is my favorite part.

What would you delete?

AI. AI data centers. Done. Just done. Gone. Seriously.

Especially when they promote AI as a solution for our climate emergencies and income inequalities, but first, they need to ravage the Earth’s natural resources. It’s absurd. It’s deeply frustrating. Data centers epitomize the worst aspects of the Big Tech oligarchy.
Like the fact that Mark Zuckerberg’s desire for a Meta Hyperion data center in Louisiana would consume several times the energy used by New Orleans. We cannot sustain this on our planet. It doesn’t matter how intriguing the technology may be or its potential. These resources are crucial for our survival. We need fresh water, arable land for food production, and thriving ecosystems for wildlife. I’m not keen on sacrificing that for a chatbot, even if it claims to love me and offers virtual kisses.

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