AS Network | Greta V Gates – Can Environment and Technology Co-Exist?

Please join us for an Augmented Society Network Discussion.

While the battle participants referenced above merely form a playful event title, there’s nothing playful about the impacts of our two largest driving concerns in the 21st Century. Greta Thunberg comes by way of environment to influence technology/society and Bill Gates made his fortune in technology yet is attempting to enhance environment and society through the Gates Foundation – with the long term effects by both still very much in question. When technology development calls for constant iteration and “throw-away” elements can technology and the environment ever truly live in harmony?

Whether you believe the Global warming we are currently seeing is a direct result of our activities or not, we use technology in a way that increases the planet temperatures and with few massive drives to reduce its impact; with success still being measured in GDP.

We’ve decreased feasible product lifetimes in technology for purposes both practical and capital – leading to nation-sized wastelands of tech byproduct castoffs. And, our amazing travel and entertainment experiences come at such a cost that attempts to be carbon neutral are laughable at best. 

In a time when we are enabling machines to make our decisions and control our environment, are we seeing any glimmers of hope that machines can pick up the ball that humanity has dropped for decades if not longer? 

Is the toll on the environment rising too quickly and, if so, are there any developments we should know about that will stem the tide?

Join us to discuss:

• Where doing “good” fits in relation to technology and our planet.
• Examples of breakthroughs where technology and the environment is not a zero-sum endeavor.
• Opportunities where the ASN might take a worthwhile position in driving awareness and a positive turn so that technology and the environment are no longer two opposing sides of a coin.

Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/874972578

Please note the event starts at 11am (PST).