Jaron Lanier: How the Internet Failed and How to Recreate It

[@thegreatreverendx]

I’m often nostalgic for the internet of the early 90s before it was commercialized. It was largely composed of academics, programmers, and researchers, and you had to up your game before you could even have a conversation with anyone. I would sit there and download mathematical models and research papers, and I would read and explore for hours like someone in a library. No ads, no social media, no cat videos. There was such a sense of possibility and promise and optimism. I miss those times.

[@Patrick.Weightman]

That's just really how it was back then - if you ask most people what was different 20-30 years ago when compared to now, the vast majority of them at some point will mention there use to be a much larger sense of optimism and all around _hope;_ not only for the country, but for the world as a whole. The real irony that honestly sickens me sometimes, is that nearly everyone hates the way the things are and the direction we're heading, but nobody wants to assume any sort of responsibility so society keeps speedballing in the manner it has been. People have lost all sense of accountability, which I feel could also be attributed to the internet in one way or another. It's also heavily caused by the whole "us vs them" mentality that's been drilled into peoples minds; where they feel a constant need to single out a particular demographic to pin blame on and feel superior towards.

[@thegreatreverendx]

@@Patrick.Weightman All true. It’s also worth noting that commercial activity on the internet prior to 1991 or so was banned, which helped keep out a lot of the nastiness we see today.

[@76star1]

True

[@AaronLyons]

@@thegreatreverendx I don't understand how is commercial activity the culprit of the nastiness on the Internet. Ads are mildly annoying at worst. What am I missing?

[@thegreatreverendx]

@@AaronLyons Maybe I sound a bit harsh about ecommerce, but the original intent of the internet, at least at that time, was the fostering of knowledge and research, and the original moderators of the internet saw commercialization as sullying that purpose. One can argue to what extent this was true. The truth is that before, it did seem like an elevated place.

[@zmancan5290]

40:50. "We've created a world in which any time two people connect online, it's financed by a third person who believes they can manipulate the first two." This is the central thrust of Jeron's argument, and it is accurate. The internet is so insidious because it gives us the illusion of being free even as we are shackled by chains.

[@n.k.2083]

Thanks for pulling that quote and highlighting it. It frightens me to my core.

[@zz-ps5vw]

chains... but you can just take them off if you log off lol

[@garlottos]

"The industrial revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race." Uncle Ted hit it out of the ballpark decades ago, and it has only gotten worse

[@duckyoutube6318]

How does the third party manipulate the 2 users?

[@taiao7700]

@@duckyoutube6318 the 3rd party decides what is appropriate for you to say in that interaction. The third party decides what you are shown in your newsfeed.

[@jamied8013]

He plays the traffic jam very well that’s for sure.

[@johnsmitch2333]

Hahahahahaha

[@jordanrock3494]

"This one's called N.Y 4pm"

[@aaronglass890]

This deserves a pin lol

[@clintcarter]

Bwahahhaa....didn't kow what you were talking about till he started playing that instrument...too funy.

[@KdubtheAxe2]

HAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAA

[@michaelpowell-ngatchou6274]

I remember people, when I was a kid, behaving and interacting in a very, very different manner than now. I remember more relationships and more discussion. The internet did a number on us.

[@jypsyjewels2854]

the 90s seem like a dream. like memories of a vacation

[@spacedoohicky]

I don't remember so much discussion. The circles I was in were very much interested in play. So it was games, music, food, drugs, or sex mostly. Discussion was a strange event.

[@oODakoTaOo]

Remember the days when the internet was an anonymous place where no one gave 0 fucks about someones identity and no one tried to cancel contrary opinions.

[@Theineluctable_SOME_CANT]

You did a number on yourselves!

[@jypsyjewels2854]

@@Theineluctable_SOME_CANT I don't understand what that means. Are you somehow separate from humanity?

[@___olympia6233]

I’m just commenting so that the KZbin algorithm picks up on this video as popular so it can reach more people.

[@charityjustus431]

Replying to start a chain for the same purpose

[@ryanh1]

Yes, yes, yes

[@Chewychaca]

Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_Im Engaged_

[@Chewychaca]

@watashi -___-

[@RoverT65536]

Yep

[@user-dz9yx3et9y]

damn the singer from Korn really let himself go

[@ParagonPKC]

Brian Welch actually Christian now

[@user-dz9yx3et9y]

@@ParagonPKC really

[@joevilla340]

That’s why I don’t eat corn. 🌾

[@ParagonPKC]

@@user-dz9yx3et9y yeah I read his book, "save me from myself" p good

[@cheiflitterbugmakinhimself9035]

Hahahahaha

[@PopulationBirthCtrl]

"Accepting reality is your life's work"

[@PopulationBirthCtrl]

@@PauloConstantino167 you need to hear stupider things!

[@eggheadusa]

Accepting your own reality is automatic and takes no thought, realizing it’s flawed is when you’re actually understanding reality more.

[@theriskymotion]

Says a lardass

[@Kerm88]

@@eggheadusa he did say reality and not “your reality”. But well clarified.

[@SpoonyJank]

@@PopulationBirthCtrl Reality says I can walk a block and I don't have bugs in my hair.

[@gnickthegnome1981]

The tune he played on that instrument has such a mournful urgency. It sounds like exactly the precursor he must have wanted for such a talk, and it seems to carry all the complex emotion of our circumstance today. Brilliant.

[@jrayalac]

I agree with everything he's saying but one: That there's no one doing it. It isn't true. There are names and people behind those companies, and they've had the choice to do good and even today aren't doing it.

[@cavejohnson4054]

exactly

[@dennyfader7559]

Perhaps he is alluding to how the people in charge are interchangeable? Like, if it weren't these specific names behind these companies, it would be another set of specific names behind these companies, doing the same thing. I personally like to look at we humans as creatures who will operate fairly similarly under a given set of circumstances, so perhaps it is about setting up protections against our tendencies rather than rallying against specific individuals

[@GingerDrums]

If you have an enemy, your day will be structured. This is a famous German phrase. The issues he is raising are not fixed by assigning blame. He is saying we need legislation, not stockades.

[@EduardsRuzga]

I suspect that there are people who refuse to acknowledge this while may be fearing that this could be true. I mean imagine working for long time to connect the world, make information accessible, create tools for communities, for free while trying to keep the lights on at the same time. As he said thing being mostly free and yet needing to keep business going slowly drives you in weird directions of earning. May be there are people that just do not care, they are there with ruthless drive to make money for investors. And make tools for advertisers to sell more advertisements. Thus ordering their researches and engineers to make tools for influence. So that they can make product that better serves those who actually pay for for light being up. I agree with Jaron that there should not be people there working actively with aim to polarise humanity more trough this. That requires unreal combined levels of genius and psychopathy to manipulate organisations the size of Google and Facebook in to such directions.

[@quinxx12]

People are to a big part a product of their environment. It's easy to completely convince yourself that you're doing the right thing if you orientate yourself on the wrong people from a very young age. It's not their fault that they like flashy things and quick and easy rewards. It is just human instinct. They mostly have been brought up like this. And at a certain age you just don't have the courage to face their past wrongdoings so you just keep going. The only things that would interrupt the cycle would be therapy/psychedelics or some big trauma/dilemma.

[@MrMikkyn]

Jared Lanier has an interesting aesthetic. He kind of looks like a Star Wars or Matrix Character. Sci-Fi Dreadlock, Black Monochrome Style. He would be good in Dune, Blade Runner or Neuromancer.

[@sillysissyphus4877]

Jabba’s palace?

[@bigboss-qv7pe]

Dooooope shizzz nerd

[@prototype8137]

Ok lol.. I got a downtown ny city circa 1992 homeless vibe

[@apricotcomputers3943]

hehe, roast!

[@dethkon]

I don’t know what his aesthetics are, but his style is unusual, true.

[@airplane800]

I teach marketing psychology and it makes me sad to see how knowledge has been used for evil.

[@lukasmolcic5143]

I am a web developer and been thinking about this for years now, I know the shift would be huge, and I have no idea how to get there, but what I believe we would have to do is to shift the role, insights, and tools of marketing to work for the consumer to inform him of the available offers that businesses offer, objectively but simply communicate the pros and cons of different products and services and make it easier for the consumer to choose, not to manipulate him, it would have to be the consumer, not the business who funds the marketing efforts. Then we could have a more rational free trade system, where consumption actually informs the market positively, rather than having massive manipulation engines as we have now to distort the desires and consumption patterns of the population.

[@TranceCore3]

yeah you should see how education became evil. Education is fine, but when it's industrialized, it's no longer really for our best interests.

[@whitepeoplergullible9241]

Bill Hicks had a bit about brains like yours

[@Ryan-nn1kl]

Majority is willfully greed which produces evils.... the main issues are we all seem to think that we are on the same page or rather we think that everyone is up to date many are not even fewer when it comes to required knowledge to learn things

[@HkFinn83]

Marketing psychology? Convincing people to buy shit they don’t need with money they don’t have. It’s too banal to even be evil, it’s just...dismal.

[@cropcircle5693]

I love Jaron, always have. This may be one of his most important, no throw away moments talks I've ever seen. This is seriously well spoken distilled wisdom like very few can dispense.

[@nobody-gh2yf]

8:00 was when I was like hell yeah this dude is a living philosopher

[@MrSnufflegruff]

He isn't well spoken. If you think he is you are most likely a 90 IQ Mid wit.

[@pokermitten9795]

No throw away moments? The dude loves to hear his own voice.

[@nobody-gh2yf]

@Robert Nelson I didn't say innovative thinker

[@dilbyjones]

Very few have been able to articulate the problem.

[@thecountrygarden]

omg, I am so glad to see JARON play our Thai / LAOS traditional music Instrument. Big hug.

[@AmadeuShinChan]

You look sharp, just saying.

[@johnbrownell7715]

So would you call that virtue signaling or cultural appropriation? You can choose.

[@Herfinnur]

Hello Kanya, can you tell me how the name of the instrument is spelled? He mentions that it's called a "Camm" but it's not showing up when I search for it, and I want to buy one

[@thecountrygarden]

​@@Herfinnur thank you for the question. It is spelt " Khene " . For more picture reference try the key word "แคน" it is Thai but I think you will be able to have more information about it.

[@xtaticsr2041]

@@johnbrownell7715 Neither?

[@urthpainter]

I would argue this lecture is deeper and more complete than one may realize on a single pass. Jaron explains, we are entrenched/addicted to the current form of social media in a way that makes consuming this information extremely challenging

[@3OHT.]

Speak for yourself, wikipedia is a deep well of knowledge. Full of other wells (sources).

[@shaft9000]

^ information is not knowledge

[@neil7826]

This is timely for me. I quit twitter not long ago and I feel so much better. Much of how he characterizes personality social media addiction, I began to feel. My tweets that go the most attention were the cranky, negative ones. I'm a positive person overall and my positivity on twitter was not validated. I recognized how twitter was affecting me and I didn't like it so I quit. It wasn't easy.

[@parkerstroh6586]

You still off Twitter?

[@travim4314]

I'm 4 or 5 months sober myself now. Same sentiments.

[@Molecular-Brainwaves-Translate]

Not sure you made the right choice friend. You are still on KZbin. You replaced Twitter with a Twitter that shows you moving pictures and sounds. But perhaps, for that reason, KZbin and other video sharing platforms are a better medium. We can express ourselves in more ways than just the written word. Food for thought lol.

[@holorn1280]

If it weren't for work, I wouldn't be on social media ever. I'm pretty young (24) so ​​I grew up when these things happened (this and the smartphone). But I feel so old when I see new social media like tik tok, snapchat, or instagram. I hate to see fake lives of people I don't really know and who don't really know themselves. It's so sad how people don't take the time to understand how they are feeling, to face themselves, and afterwards they are amazed that they are unhappy and feel deeply alone, when they are not. You know, they're just completely drugged on these things, it's messing up their dopamine system. What I fear most for the future is not AI, but the domination of networks in our lives, how it rots the mind is clear and studied. The most terrible thing is that I do not see how to "go back" other than individually. Regulation would always be fight. Also I notice that we want more and more real things because the world is becoming more and more false (money destroy art too, but it's quite off topic, even if there is a link to be made), more cowardly too. And it scares me having to be brave in a cowardly world...

[@neil7826]

@@parkerstroh6586 Yes

[@tensevo]

Jaron please look after your health, the world needs free thinkers.

[@Salamando]

Yes, think global act local. ♡

[@bazmalaza85]

@@Salamando lol...its ironic how narratives still propagate after +30 years, isnt it? of models and funnels...i guess "thinking, acting, being aware" doesnt cut it?

[@Jeremycook_]

This dude isn't long for this world. He's outta breath just sitting and talking.

[@notaregard]

@@bazmalaza85 What narrative are you referring to? That being healthy is important?

[@bazmalaza85]

@@notaregard nothing specific...thinking in the context of how generations keep telling stories to the next and there is nothing new under the Sun. "think globally, act locally" keeps coming up since the 70s. in the corporate world its the same with the "Kaizen" concept for example. doesnt look to me like these ideas have helped much with understanding in the mean time. we only can change ourselves, no? and everything we do, brings good & bad - lets see how the "Decentralization" narrative gets absorbed...to fear surely doesnt help and the Youniverse usually works in ironic ways. i see health as a given in a "healthy" or say balanced society and life, but do not evaluate it as "important" (feels like a too strong word to me). of course, ignoring the probable effects of not "maintaining" body, mind & soul is a foolish thing to do. we are all fools! hahaaa

[@robertpirsig5011]

Get off social media now. Public enemy number 1. Don't participate.

[@frankcupcake2804]

KZbin is social media

[@azlizzie]

B'ill Build as long as you use it for searching for information and do not click on anything it recommends further, it’s still a useful tool for learning. Yes it has the potential to steal your time. There are also extensions that can be used to block all of the insidious stuff. It makes the platform rather inane.

[@junglecat_rant]

@@frankcupcake2804 👍

[@azlizzie]

@watashi I currently don’t know of any extensions in particular. But I recommend not leaving auto play on, use KZbin for a specific search purpose. Put it away when you are done and don’t watch the recommended videos. Those aren’t why you came. They may be interesting but that’s the algorithm’s job: to steal your time to show you ads. I can search for extensions though. BRB

[@azlizzie]

@watashi DF Tube chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/df-tube-distraction-free/mjdepdfccjgcndkmemponafgioodelna?hl=en eliminates the extra recommended videos. You can always turn it off if you are looking to kill some time.

[@rollocostadelagorillion2902]

I've just been terrified in the most kind and gentle way possible.

[@sarahkeller7967]

Incredible! The background Information and contextualisation is supremely educational. "People have moved to these mode of connecting through manipulative systems that are designed for the benefit of third parties that hope to manipulate everybody sneakily" Jaron at 1:00:40

[@EdwardsComment]

The corporatization of the internet was definitely inevitable.. what comes next? There's something that feels apocalyptic about how all the beneficial technology was thwarted. The sum of human potential keeps being consumed by the most authoritarian and delusional among us, who manipulate the legal structures so they can't be held accountable. These new TOS, user agreements, and HR agendas are perfect covers for manipulation, settling scores and power grabs in our own era of "compassion" and compulsory compassion.

[@SussedRage]

Wow. He just played the sound my ZX Spectrum used to make when it was loading a game!

[@b2theb]

lol

[@Gianfranco_69]

You dont know how right you are..

[@dreamspheree]

LOL

[@madsleonardholvik3040]

Cool! Me and my brothers and cousins played like crazy on the Zinclair! I remember Manic Miner, Hungry Horace, Bank, Mexico 86, Jet pack, Psssst!, Cookies and many more!

[@Gianfranco_69]

@@madsleonardholvik3040 Spectrum was arguably the greatest of the home computer/gaming platforms EVER....accessible price point,massive software support...my god it changed civilisation...its how i learnt machine code,Basic,Speciality languages

[@mistrrhappy]

I remember Jaron Lanier as the evangelist for virtual reality and Wired cover boy from the 1990s. Glad to see he is well aware of the weaponization of social media.

[@jonathanbarnes3061]

Only the hypnotized have tuned the black listing of free society. Tyrants murder useful idiots once the subversion is completed. So blatantly the subversion of justice. ⚖ 🤔

[@AlexGorskov]

@@jonathanbarnes3061 can you rephrase please?

[@Herfinnur]

I NEED TO HAVE THAT INSTRUMENT! It sounds like a traffic jam in a musical

[@BottleOfCoke]

Herfinnur, hvað ert þú að gera hér?

[@facex7x]

Lol dude he started off playing a slapper. I haven't heard what he has to talk about yet but I'm hyped for some reason lolol

[@crackajack913]

Straight fire!

[@techfive7202]

He never passes up a chance to play that instrument.

[@Sloimer]

Lol

[@poitaots5054]

lol tru but its badass

[@bakermilton98]

Sounds like horror music from a distant planet in a distant galaxy

[@darkAce100]

Closest thing I've heard recreate electronic future bass

[@pokermitten9795]

It sounds terrible to be fair. Way better choices of mobile music.

[@aaronbono4688]

I have never engaged in Twitter I have only used Facebook a few times for work purposes and I pretty much just use KZbin to find out what's going on and try to avoid all the divisive garbage it keeps trying to shove at me. The only time I'm miserable is when I find myself watching too much youtube. Not being on social media has had no impact on my success in life and has made me a much happier person.

[@missmia196]

This is huge. Needs more hype from the algorithm.

[@Ryan-xq3kl]

as ironic as that is youre right

[@choppypony]

Oh please mighty Algorithm I pray to thee, spread these teaching far and wide. Amen and Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.

[@bloodinthewater]

pro-tip, don't start with atonal weird pan flute music. But I agree.

[@missmia196]

@@azdailyeditor1760 ... that's the point of the comment, the irony of it.

[@locdogmilfhunter]

Ded😂

[@timgehrsitz3267]

Back in 2018 he completely called vaccine paranoia that has come to be in 2021. That should speak volumes to the truths he's putting forward in this talk.

[@alib1993]

This gentleman has just opened a whole new world to me. What a knowledgeable man.

[@___olympia6233]

alison buxbaum I’m happy for you keep going. Here’s some names: Rich Roll. Darin Olien. Andrew Hubermann. Dr David Sinclair. Dr Valter Longo.

[@rubbersidedown1356]

Now go like, subscribe, share and comment so we can make his point even more clear.

[@jareknowak8712]

Nope. He did it already in the 90s.

[@progranma2864]

Hey ! I am just at the start of the conference and it looks great ! Just to add a correction though : Ada Lovelace wasn't the daughter of Babbage, they were friends and I think they met when she was already an adult. Ada was the daughter of poet Lord Byron and mathematician Lady Byron

[@sprobablycancr4457]

What most of us read as cautionary tale, a small group view as training manual.

[@xs10tl1]

Mr. Lanier played a key role in Google helping it to be impossible to have a conversation about anything.

[@arieljaquez5792]

This man is modern day historical figure, thank you Jaron Lanier, true hero.

[@junglecat_rant]

👍

[@WeHaveNoTalentSorry]

He's like, average. You need to watch more Jordan Peterson if you think this guy is a historical figure.

[@EpicMathTime]

@@WeHaveNoTalentSorry 😂

[@deathofaclown]

@@WeHaveNoTalentSorry lobster boy sucks lmao

[@fuckmaciouspalpatine9447]

@@WeHaveNoTalentSorry lmfao

[@EdwardsComment]

This guy is crazy insightful, he's really internalized the dynamics of technology and artificial reality.

[@aprilnelly]

Insightful yet lacking awareness of his own positional relationship under the system of influences he so articulately describes.

[@EdwardsComment]

@@aprilnelly y e s

[@PompousPicard1]

@@aprilnelly eh, I don’t think so. He seems keenly aware that he’s part of the machine as someone working in, and who got rich from, Silicon Valley.

[@859902]

deeper extension and analysis of what was shown in 'Social Dilemma'

[@Orthodoxzee]

What a good discussion. I have been telling people for a while to get off the internet. I'll admit that I'm on way more than I'd like to be. I took 4 months break from everythin (Alcohol, Marijuana, Caffeine, Internet ect) and it honestly was like a soul quest. Really emotional I learned a lot about myself. After watching this I want to do it again for 6 months.

[@keanen125]

[@johnhutsler8122]

This is hands down the most interesting thing I've ever heard. I don't think anyone has been able to explain the modern world better than this man. My mind is blown.

[@funk_meister]

Did you ever feel a rush of excitement after hearing the sound of a bell?

[@ethantankersley9613]

This is the most interesting human I have ever seen.

[@locdogmilfhunter]

Most interesting body figure and intellectual figure I’ve ever found.

[@woodstockjon420]

@@locdogmilfhunter 🤔

[@looopaa9783]

you think the algorithm would ever recommend a 2 hour video 😂

[@enriquefranco4216]

I totally agree. The algorithm suggested me this video

[@jaycobyart]

I had to listen to the beginning music three times over.. its like digital granular effects coming out of a pan flute organ., ive never heard anything like that. And the talk is touching on difficult topics that feel incredibly important to me. Its like a collage of history, media critque and tech conceptualize wrapped into one free loving delivery. Gotta say wow

[@Sloimer]

Dude’s a real-life Dark Crystal character

[@kurtdewittphoto]

Tellin' us about the Great Conjunction in his own way.

[@Sloimer]

@@kurtdewittphoto exactly

[@henryavery4693]

Imagine this, a tech person speaking about freedom of choice, freedom of exchange, payment for a service, competition and collaboration between individuals basically a free market. As opposed to a "free for all system" directed by central planners. Now that s something you don't see to often.

[@sylviam6535]

Silicon Valley used to be libertarian until recently. When social media appeared and tech got the ability to change public opinion, things changed as tech then got political.

[@Ryan-nn1kl]

He's isn't just a tech person he's the grandfather he's the blade walker that sees both realms. It will get better over time but it's gonna be rough for a few generations simply because not everyone understands what's going on

[@SethingtonIII]

Wow, those gasps for air at the end of every sentence is making ME run out of breath.

[@andyhorta8281]

i cant believe this has such little views.

[@mattbowerman]

i have been on the internet since I was 7, when my dad brought home an mac and hooked it on up, and allowed me to learn whatever I wanted, whenever i wanted with a few keystrokes back then, it was alot more information. humor. love. people truly creating in the space now it has degenerated into a cesspool of trolls who argue separate agendas for no other better reason than a laugh I miss my old internet

[@sunongral5605]

I really relate with your comment. I think there's something to be said here about accessibility. We naturally want the world/internet to be accessible for everyone, yet we know that some people aren't cut to positively influence the spaces they are a part of. They will automatically pollute the space with their unchecked toxicity (possibly stemming from unhealed trauma, which we all have). Staying in a toxic environment as positive-leaning people is a sacrifice we are all making in the hopes that the people contributing to its toxicity will eventually learn, heal, and adopt more positive, constructive traits. The responsability is on us to make the world and the internet a better place. We can all contribute to it, and until a certain ratio is reached we will suffer the tension and consequences of high levels of toxicity. Self-healing through self-awareness is the greatest work of our time for that reason.

[@drunkensailor112]

The early internet was like an extended library, while the current internet is an extended highschool

[@JmO-ee1bi]

High school was more fun lol

[@TrueLunacy]

It's always been the wild wild west..

[@mattbowerman]

​​@@TrueLunacyan archive for scientists

[@DamienPaulLabonte]

Who wouldn't love to sit with Jaron on the beach and play ancient flutes while the sun rises?

[@jarede9309]

Me! He seems annoying and probably lives a life with very specific demands. Like I’m a waiter and he seems like someone who would have a lot of food change requests and special items I would have to grab him like a warm washcloth for his feet or something

[@conservat1vepatr1ot]

I think your ability to assess character is off. Which is strange for a waiter.

[@Queerpunx]

Jaron breaks down a lot of these topics in a very innovative manner. It's my hope that more people take time to listen to his views.

[@andybaldman]

Funny how he talks about how all of this was known in advance. Because it's so true. Google's motto used to be 'don't be evil' when they started, as they knew the problems that could happen from this powerful tech. And then one day a few years ago they deleted that motto.

[@kreek22]

At least the deletion itself was honest--imagine if the NY Times had the honesty to delete its motto.

[@andybaldman]

@@kreek22 I don't think honesty is the issue here.

[@kreek22]

@@andybaldman It was an attempt at sarcasm. The issue, in both cases, is power and its misuse.

[@andybaldman]

@@kreek22 I think it runs deeper than that.

[@urthpainter]

"AI is theft to paraphrase" - really glad I listened to this lecture again. everything he says makes more sense, second pass, but also how things have unfolded over last couple years.

[@anthonynenna1697]

Here is an important man with an important message with all the credentials boot. His inside knowledge gives his argument credibility. He's not a staunch opponent of the internet or even social media. Rather than destroying the system, he offers regulatory prescriptions. It's realistic and has at least a chance of being accomplished. He needs much more exposure. They should be showing these lectures at high schools (cliche comment, I know, but in this case, is there an audience in more need of this information?) There apparently used to be classes taught in American high schools called 'citizenship classes'. They'd teach you the importance of voting and the importance of making informed decisions, not just based on television advertising. Now schools need whole 'reality classes' or 'consciousness classes'. Generic behavior on social media has become noticeably more pervasive and more acute. Perfectly beautiful girls in their early 20s are mutilating themselves to look like any one of the Kardiashins who are literal freaks of nature...this has become the norm. Mirror selfies so absurd but so common. Important social and civil rights movements are carried on the back of the most shallow gestures and meaningless slogans so that they lack any coherence or force - Occupy Wall Street, the Arab Spring both cases in point. Thankfully, I know a few real individual teenagers who have an eclectic taste in music and an actual interest in real literature (not Harry Potter) and don't meet 'challenges' on Tiktok. They give me hope.

[@SirBlackReeds]

Then why does he allow his appearance to deteriorate so? He looks like a damn lolcow.

[@agnidas5816]

Buckminster Fuller approach :) . Create something better ;)

[@aliameagan8606]

Wow, I had forgotten I had taken that course in 7th grade (1994). It was college level but also mandatory. How is that not taught anymore? Really?!

[@georgedaffin1654]

Well, the schools used to have “reality classes” and “consciousness classes”, but they dropped them in favor of stem. They were called The Humanities.

[@thopkins2271]

Regulation won’t do anything, just like the classes of yore didn’t create informed voters. The reality for better or for worse is that we probably have the most informed voting class now than at any point in history. People don’t like that there is an unstable majority, and assume that’s it’s all the idiots. But it isn’t. You may not like modern literature or pop culture trends, but they existed during the ages when your preferred works were created too. We’re going to be fine…and much more so if government stays out of it. Does that mean accepting bad information is going to exist? Of course. Freedom is scary. And sometimes makes you take a step back to take two forwards. It’s not youth ruining social media anyway. It’s people in their sixties. I don’t know a single person who tweets or tik toks other than as a consumer.

[@zera2314]

Jaron: "Any of you heard me play this thing? No? Okay." Jaron: * plays Legend of Zelda boss music *

[@Flying1Machine]

and just like that...the computer became a god performing "miracles" that no man could comprehend but only follow

[@yeah2155]

Your pfp is EE’s best song!

[@nobody2021]

In the dune series of books by Frank herbert, this is the reason why artificial intelligence is outlawed and banned. Humanity created machines to think for them, and in thurn, humans stopped thinking for themselves which resulted in catastrophe

[@jontymellmann9233]

i love him - he really seems to care and he explains what he is talking about very clearly. what a guy. god bless.

[@jontymellmann9233]

@KungFu Nerd Rebellion I haven't the faintest idea what he does with his personal life beyond what is alluded to here, e.g. playing instruments

[@jontymellmann9233]

@KungFu Nerd Rebellion i didn't find it very funny is all. have a good day

[@marcvarner1]

I saw the thumbnail and wondered if there were actually going to be students listening to him so I decided to take a peek. Opening remark, "Are there any students here?"

[@robinfletcher6718]

Min 9:00: "We've created a way of managing information amoung ourselves that has detached us from reality....We've lost the ability to have a societal conversation about actual reality..." BOOM. Absolutely correct statement.

[@Mattrossphoto]

Think it’s unfair to call the right the cranky side. Anyone obsessed with politics is generally angry and miserable

[@FutureLaugh]

this man is such a precious genius. I have absolutely no commentary on his weight, but in light of a pandemic that unfairly targets the rotund, i hope this man finds some sort of peace with reducing his bmi.

[@emzx2411]

when?

[@benjamindragon598]

That's what you got out of this

[@grandyeetburgersupreme558]

What tf kind of comment is this? You're either really young and silly or a college professor. It's hard to tell which.

[@reannfrantz9102]

Brilliant guy. Wonder what he thinks about the latest blacklisting of conservatives by Twitter, FB, Google, Instagram, etc. I would guess that even if he is a Democrat, he would not like what these companies have done...it is in one way or another what he has been warning about.

[@fenlandwildlifeclips]

Nobody who talks openly about these issues cover the issues I personally have noticed. Not everybody online posts anout politics. I hope one day to write my own book about this...

[@PatrickOBrien]

Would love to play a modular synth jam with that Khaen

[@ToolforOffice]

So glad to find this video. I discussed these same thoughts with my wife about 6 months ago but this is put in a much better way.

[@jnever9768]

while jaron strikes me as a smart person...equating proud boys to climate change denial is such a generalization that i would think someone as smart as him would avoid it.

[@PBNIP]

Becomes pretty apparent hes not a free thinker, just a man who regurgitates universal truths in a way to justify his own beliefs. Definitely thinks he is above people

[@theena]

15 mins and I already a bibliography of material to read. As always, thank you Jaron.

[@shethewriter]

I don’t think our policies around alcohol are effective enough, but that’s me.

[@Ryan-xq3kl]

Maybe just some policies on how often you can broadcast beer commercials on kids tv stations...

[@___olympia6233]

“Profiting above all costs” natured companies do not have any interest in making civil-serving policies... it doesn’t profit them We need to be entrepreneurs that profit out of serving people AND / OR people need to start voting with their dollar Darin Olien is one example of founding a company that helps the indigenous people, their land, the environment, AND the consumer,, all at the same time. It is shifting consciousness to shift business models

[@minivanjack]

He says "ideological solutions are always wrong" right after recommending Keynsean ideology.

[@rebusd]

among other subtle juxtapositions and insertions sprinkled throughout his ostensibly altruistic speech, the irony is not lost upon me either.

[@mescellaneous]

it's really unfortunate he had such a bias for the "negative" emotion group. it's clear he assumed that was the "unnatural" side, but im not sure anyone would claim the unrealistically positive group was any more natural. this talk was in 2018. i wonder how he feels now about the "negative" group since the pandemic. edit: i have watched further and i guess it's clear he probably will view it as radical group like incel or altright editedit: and watching further, it seems he was awfully glad the popular cigarette wasn't good for you and public perception changed final edit: incredible talk, amazing insight high level insight. except he does have a bias for the political leanings he doesnt agree with and paints them as "negative", it should be "alternative" or "contasting opinion". these are sides, describing the group that is the cause of "negative" media as absolutely negative is biased.

[@rebusd]

thank you

[@ashtaarot9632]

would absolutely agree with you but I wouldn't call it incredible. the guy gives very base level analyses and presents them as enlightened wisdom. but thank you for being one of the few comments that isn't just fawning over over him like he's a learned elder.

[@iplaydodgeball]

You're just carrying out the functions that have warped and propagandized your brain in the first place. The problem is you've accepted evil things as your "political opinion".. your "opinion" doesn't absolve you of all criticism

[@geneklee7608]

Warhol didn’t stand aloof from the obsession with celebrity, he used it to build his career.

[@reannfrantz9102]

I would love to just hang out with him, get a hug from him, hear him play music, drink tea with him. He seems very gentle and like someone who could make anyone feel welcome and comfortable.

[@Ryan-nn1kl]

He's supppper big on music like immensely

[@joshuarosenblatt]

i had been thinking about leaving social media for several years and it was after watching this (and a few other Lanier videos) that convinced me- I bailed off social media in June 2020 and it was easily one of the best decisions of my life!!!! to anyone considering it who hasn't taken the leap yet- do it! you wont regret it!!!

[@seanconlon182]

Same here. Social media is so invasive and negative for the most part. Feel much much better since getting out of that circus.

[@joshuarosenblatt]

@@seanconlon182 absolutely! I do miss being in the loop for much of what’s happening in my friends lives but it makes me text or call more than I would otherwise I just wish Jaron’s vision of a fee based (non advertising/algorithm) social media was available right now. Scary to think what will happen once the VR meta verse becomes the standard. It truly may be the end of civilization as we know it.

[@seanconlon182]

@@joshuarosenblatt I think that over time an anti movement will push back on the whole thing. Fresh air and actually catching up with family and friends will be valued all the more.

[@joshuarosenblatt]

@@seanconlon182 🙏🤞🙏🤞😉

[@connectionerror2312]

Jaron's gentle genius creates such a safe intellectual space that you can't help but be drawn in with childhood wonderment. MUCH ❤️ & R-E-S-P-E-C-T for Mr. Lanier!!!!!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@markronan4259]

what about his morbid obesity is that a safe space? does a genius over eat or is he just a obese man?

[@JohnTurner313]

I remember reading every word from this man I could find in the 90s. I am old, learned to program on punch cards. FWIW, all I can say is the Internet was definitely, most definitely, not supposed to be like this. There were years there for awhile where people actually thought SCO was going to get Linux banned. The US government even tried to ban RSA cryptography and PGP! Nobody fixated on any one platform like Twitter or FB, that was exactly the opposite of what was built and how it started out and was intended. It is just crazy how easily everyone gave into the megacorps. Interesting times ahead. Winter is coming.

[@user-zw4wh1tm9x]

this dude's on his way out, breathing heavy as fuck

[@brandonsutton3750]

his breathing is making this hard to listen to for me. >_

[@brandonsutton3750]

@Bill Haggard yas

[@brandonsutton3750]

@@ADUSN I don't see how that's very disrespectful. It's a rather obvious observation, man. the truth isn't always pretty. it's honestly sad, and yes, being that overweight is doing quite a number on his health.

[@ayushro4]

@@brandonsutton3750 saying someone is literally going to die is not disrespectful wtf you talking about

[@brandonsutton3750]

@@ayushro4 My question to you would be, what about that IS disrespectful, though? Jaron is 60 years old, and VERY overweight. It would not be any bit of a shock if he died SOON. I don't think that he will, and I sure hope that he doesn't. I do wish that he would take better care of himself, though. The OP simply made a pretty obvious observation, man, and I imagine most of us made a similar one, or had a very similar thought. As harsh as that may seem to you, it's pretty obvious. Not that he may die soon, but like I said, his weight is a BIG (no pun intended) problem! It's also, generally, not a good sign if you have that much trouble with breathing just from talking. I could understand if he were doing something physical, but he's not. Ive known several people that weren't long for this world once they started having issues with their breathing. That's just life man, we all die.

[@bm4114]

Me: Oh a lecture, this will help me sleep. Jaron: you ever hear me play this thing?

[@liingpangryantee7203]

I am so inspired by this guys, he managed to put into words with such precision and power what I have been feeling and thinking

[@CeresOutpost]

I'm not really sure how I've gone my entire 26-year career in tech without hearing about Jaron... but more importantly, this video popped up in my feed and here I am! Fantastic talk and I'll be seeking out more from Jaron. For starters, I'd love to ask him why his personal website looks like it's straight out of the 1990's.... but perhaps he's just being ironic. ahahah

[@Pimp-Master]

He literally invented the 90's graphics look.

[@ratatataraxia]

Could listen to him for hours. Oh wait, I have.

[@Mangzorz]

haha same

[@TheVFXbyArt]

1:14:08 My only problem with this is that accountants and lawyers cost money. More money, more protection, less equality. By contrast, Regulation…”rebranded as “protections” is universal regardless of income since its publicly funded by ys like the way the post office is

[@AbenaAnima]

This is incredible. Thank you so much, Jaron!

[@RobAvaler]

It's kinda sad that after 15 minutes of his talk I was looking for his facebook page and realize there is none

[@pianostudentsemper]

Just heard about Jaron from the Yang speaks podcast. What a sharp mind!

[@heatherxlotus]

I deleted my social media accounts a couple days ago, this was right on time. I pray for our collective mental health. ❤️

[@adamsymthe5389]

Weirdly modern sound for a traditional instrument. Makes sense his explanation.

[@obonmarc5633]

This is the instrument used in the Mandelorian

[@thelondoners-lifeisart]

That’s his artistry - bending it speak to the now - very talented gentleman.

[@agranero6]

4:48 Augusta Ada Byron (or King after marriage when she became Countess of Lovelace) was not Babbage's daughter, she was Lord Byron's daughter (that wrote a poem Stanzas for Augusta for her). Babbage and her became estranged when she translated a book about his machine (and added several comments as she understood the machine better than anyone even Babbage in a sense). When Babbage wrote the preface criticizing the government funding for the machine Ada recommended not to do that as it would harm his own cause (as he did several times before), she was only trying to protect him from himself. Her daughter kept all her friends away from her on her last days. When she died not Babbage, nor her husband (that left her on her deathbed after a confession she make for him) went to the funeral. It was a bittersweet life with a very sad ending.

[@cristinaclark5266]

So happy to hear the evils of social media!

[@adamisaac4685]

I think the internet is the worst thing that’s happened to humanity. It really took us off of our collective path. It’s made us colder, and less empathetic. I hope the sun somehow destroys the internet. Best thing that could ever happen to our humans and our planet.

[@RustyCohle]

Wow, this guy is giving us all an education here. Bump.

[@driiifter]

This video explains for me why I've been on the internet since young child, literally IBM, MSDOS, found IRC channels when I was 10, used every computer and operating system from the late 80s, but today, I absolutely despise social media. It doesn't matter that I've been on the internet since inception and can't be intimidated by software, I can't stand communicating via internet. I think there was one time in history I liked communicating online and it was on ICQ. ICQ was like the most bare bones social media you could possibly have, we didn't need to go beyond ICQ, but we just kept going and going and developing and just deleting privacy for seemingly no reason. The red herring they present is so you can network easier, but really the loss of privacy isn't worth it, it never was.

[@mechkg]

If by "communicating via internet" you mean communicating via social media that makes sense, but otherwise it still blows my mind every day that I can casually interact with people from literally all over the world at work, then go for a run and be able to listen to absolutely anything I can think of from books to podcasts to any music album that I had ever listened to in my life on a whim, and then have a video chat with my mom who lives on the other side of the planet while sitting on a bench by the sea 10 km away from my house. It's like living out a sci-fi story.

[@cymbolic_space1832]

that song sounded like a hybrid of Liturgy and Dan Deacon, amazing.

[@Jardinserpent]

remembered me of liturgy too, cool to see i'm not alone

[@WILLMELEE4FOOD]

Anybody see the parallels between this guy and The Prophet from the movie Surrogates? The look, the message, it's eerily similar.

[@jaymartyabo9635]

This is important and should be shared with everyone

[@5minutemajor141]

“Ever heard me play this? it’ll be the worst shit you’ve ever heard “

[@Glitchtonic]

No one man knows what's best for society. Every time someone dose, and we all listen to them, we are left with disaster. Tread lightly dear reader, Ideas can be like bear traps. When it has you, who will find you first, the hunter or the bear ???

[@CatsInHats-S.CrouchingTiger]

Ack! Don’t eat the fruit! 🍏 sweet in the mouth but bitter in the tummy? You’ll get diarrhea and have to drag your butt across the grass to get it fresh and clean again. Wise words Sir!

[@TheRevealer999]

I'm going on a 90 day social media detox and it's not a coincidence that this came into my recommendations

[@DIBBY40]

A true son of Hephaestus. A messenger from the gods. Thankyou Jaron.

[@vvert1506]

does anyone know what writings he refers to when saying “the original turing” at 1:34:55 ? Theres his unpublished manuscripts on the cambridge archive but its hard to find what exact pieces hes referring to

[@tensevo]

That moment when you realize we are in mid game, not end game.

[@jamesjohnsonjunior]

@04:40 Ada wasn’t Babbage’s daughter. She was Lord Byron’s daughter.

[@JaceDanielFilms]

Rich Evans finally got his hair back.

[@TrashwareArt]

I was going to comment something mean but then that song cured my depression.

[@CatsInHats-S.CrouchingTiger]

💝💕

[@BIackCadillac]

If he lost like 100 lbs he wouldn't sound like he's just ran 50 miles after every sentence or word.

[@bm4114]

What’s it to you?

[@Twosheets]

This is a perfect example of why to get off the internet go outside and be more active.

[@CatsInHats-S.CrouchingTiger]

He did bring out valuable points. Live!