books

The Ethics of Invention by Sheila Jasanoff is not a book on ethics, but rather a book about the complicated relationship between Technology, Law, and Policy. By the title, one might think that this is yet another “Techlash” book written to be read by Tech Luddites. Rather, the book argues for a middle ground between uncontrolled enthusiasm for technology and the timeless, often understandable, hatred for technological progress. The main focus of the book is to highlight the tendency of humans to give or delegate power to technological systems, which end up governing human behavior without even them noticing it happening under their noses.

This book was a recent recommendation from Dr Kailash Nadh. A small but heavy book, that is engaging and well researched. Rutger Bregman has done a thorough job of making arguments for three major policy ideas whose time has come in the land of plenty that we live in (as compared to a human living a century ago). Universal Basic Income Reducing Working Hours Open Borders Universal Basic Income or UBI, might sound ludicrous at the first glance, but numerous studies and on-field experiments have time and again shown that the way ahead for the welfare-state might be direct money transfer (not just benefits).

I had read this book a while ago, and it struck a chord with me. In essence, I think, this book has shaped my mental model in a deep way. I often ponder if I would have had a different world view if I had never read this book. Here is an excerpt from academy of ideas about the book. One day, I will reread this book to write and reflect on it.