For Tech’s Sake

This week we dust off our corkboard and thread to connect the dots between problematic Silicon Valley ideologies and the doomsday AI talking points that have been gripping the world of late. Yes, this explanation of a cult-like culture that has infiltrated the highest echelons of business and government is going to sound like a conspiracy theory, but bear with us as we unpack the history of ‘superintelligence’ fantasies (and nightmares) in this bumper episode, revealing how every scary story about AI lately stems from known issues and very human failings.*** Good things we recommend ***>> Watch the Ghost in the Machine documentary >> Set up a daily games challenge with family and friends with PlayUs on Android or iOS >> Let us know what you think of the pod (and if you want an FTS PlayUs group) via fortechssakepod@gmail.com >> Better yet, rate, review and share the podcast with anyone you think might like it*** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod

With the impending release of GTA VI looming large over the video games industry, Kelly and Elaine discuss how the trend towards disc-less gaming represents a loss of consumer power and ownership for gamers. But good gaming is not out of lives just yet and an unlikely Steam-powered hero might level up and save the day.*** Good things we recommend ***>> This clip of ‘Lara Croft’ on The Late Late Toy Show  >> The Steam Machine, though Kelly’s full review will follow later  >> Seán Mongey’s people-friendly Culture Night guide  >> Becoming an Apartheid Free Zone  *** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social  FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod  

We’re back, and the kids are back in school, so we are packing your lunchbox with some food for thought on tech in schools. We’re weighing up screen-free childhoods, debunking the myth of ‘digital natives’, doling out advice on image-sharing, and considering the benefits of teaching kids piracy. (Well, it worked for us!)*** Good things we recommend ***>> Check in with your own device usage (and maybe pick up a copy of Unlocked by Pete Etchells instead of reaching for the phone) >> Watch the trailer for You Can See Everything (Nathan Fielder’s new documentary about Elizabeth Holmes) >> Take heed of Webwise’s image guidance for schools  >> Listen back to our episode with early childhood education expert Paula Walshe >> In memory of Derek Cassidy, revisit our recent subsea cables episode with researcher Jane Ruffino*** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod 

The UK’s upcoming social media ban for under 16s has been labelled an insufficient “political band-aid” that prioritises business as usual over online safety, and creates a “false sense of safety” for parents. Kelly and Elaine discuss the reactions from researchers, child safety advocates and human rights organisations and look at how a similar ban in Australia has failed to hit the mark.*** Good things we recommend ***>> Hidden Levels, a podcast mini-series on how video games reshaped the real world (including an episode on the military) >> Kelly’s first episode of For Tech’s Sake, which was a discussion on age verification  >> Our previous episode with psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor about parenting an online generation  >> This diva telling BBC News what she thinks of the UK social media ban  >> Sounds of Space on Bandcamp >> Pride Over the Waves: Amateur Radio Night at Tog Hackerspace  *** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social  FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod  

In this episode, Elaine is joined by energy researcher Prof Hannah Daly to discuss the energy strain data centres represent for Ireland, the greenwashing that enables their proliferation in the face of climate concerns, and the real costs – both financially and environmentally – of unchecked growth. *** Good things we recommend ***>> Hannah’s website >> Games by Sam (especially Clues by Sam and Bee Sort)  >> Connie’s GCN marathon fundraiser  >> Dublin Inquirer Summer School  *** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social  FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod  

Are we in danger of becoming a contactless society? That’s the concern of psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor, who joined Elaine to explain why we need to push ourselves beyond the isolated safety of socialising through screens and flex our social muscles in order to really grow as people.*** Good things we recommend ***>> Colman’s TEDx talk >> Digital Intentionality Score  >> The Irish Hedgehog Survey >> Invasives.ie  >> IFI’s Ghost in the Machine screening *** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social  FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod  

This week, Kelly has lost her voice! So Elaine is joined by cultural commentator, previous guest, and co-host of Get Around to It, Aoife Barry, to discuss why our feeds are filled with short video clips, and how ‘clipping’ is used to simulate trends and fake virality. If you’re a fan of the band Geese, you may have already been subject to these manipulations.*** Good things we recommend ***>> Catch up with Aoife at AoifeBarry.com  >> Listen to Elaine and Jenny interview Aoife about her book Social Capital  >> Listen to the Chaotic Good interview on Billboard’s On the Record podcast  >> Check out the next Get Around to It table quiz on 8 July  >> Come see Elaine chat with Dr Abeba Birhane at IFI’s Ghost in the Machine screening >> Sign up for Out of the Archive and Into the Record, a Wiki Loves Pride event >> Check out the Open Accessibility Assessment Framework for Computer Peripherals and Consumer Electronics  >> Celebrate Reuse and Repair Week with Tog in Belfast *** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social  FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod  

Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi are rocketing in popularity and raking it in as users bet on everything from the day’s weather to major political manoeuvres. In this episode, Kelly and Elaine discuss what’s sus about these platforms and how they are mired in manipulation.*** Good things we recommend ***>> Research from CCPC and MABS on financial literacy   >> An Post’s Letter to your Future Self >> Kelly’s favourite stamps, featuring Brian Friel and Eileen Gray  >> An Post’s digital stamps  >> GCN magazine stockists *** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social  FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod  

This week, Kelly and Elaine have a chat about how all the AI hype and hate is pushing people to switch off. It’s a frank conversation about opting out of AI, where for some people it’s a trade-off and for others a struggle to go fully AI-free, and why it’s not anti-progress to say no, but a healthy challenge to techno-determinism.*** Good things we recommend ***>> For a laugh: the AI vapes website  >> For reference: the booed AI graduation speech  >> For satirical purposes only: Sinceerly  >> For hitting the nail on the head: Tom Fishburne’s comic  >> For AI-free Google search: udm14.com>> For an AI-free browser: JustTheBrowser.com or Stevo’s GenAI Blocklist  >> For an intense look at data tracking in your browser: Since You Arrived Vol. IV – taken*** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social  FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod