Tristan Harris Congress Testimony: Technological Deception in the Social Media Age

Tristan Harris, President and Co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, testified at the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce of the Committee on Energy and Commerce hearing, on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. The hearing was entitled, “Americans at Risk: Manipulation and Deception in the Digital Age.”
His opening statement and subsequent answers to the congressional Q&A highlight the urgency of the issue of technological deception and manipulation.
#TheCenterforHumaneTechnology #TheSocialDilemma #socialmedia #technology
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The Center for Humane Technology, a non-profit organization working to catalyze a humane future, helped bring you The Social Dilemma, the Netflix documentary that chronicles the existential threats posed by social media. Help us turn the massive momentum of the film into lasting change: humanetech.com/the-social-dil...
Check out our podcast, Your Undivided Attention: humanetech.com/podcast
And learn more about our work: humanetech.com

[@prakashb1278]

How many are here after watching "The Social Dilemma"?

[@basantpandey9510]

Me

[@PositiveMommaLife]

Here. TRISTAN is so well spoken. A great messenger for the cause

[@celindaporterfield4999]

Did anything come about after this hearing? Look at what happened yesterday with Twitter and Facebook?

[@suellenelm3087]

I want stock with this company

[@kalinkar7441]

i still havent watched it, im to scared

[@FaisalAzad]

let's be honest. The reason why this video has low views is because YT is not recommending it to anyone like they recommend other things

[@TungstenWu]

You're totally correct. This is an incredibly important topic, yet it has 12.6k views after 10 months. It's not a coincidence.

[@hansluft5557]

Well compare this video (around 13k views) and Harris' TED Talk (kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWiXkqCAh9VqaZI right now >580k views). This video: online since 24.01.2020, 462 likes/4 dislikes, 38 comments TED: 28.07.2017, 14.106 likes/372 dislikes, 729 comments This: Tristan Harris - Congressional Hearing January 8, 2020 - Statement Plus... TED: How a handful of tech companies control billions of minds every day | Tristan Harris This: Center for Humane Technology, 1310 followers TED: TED, 18.2 Mio. followers This: quite academic language, Congressial Hearing TED: simple language, TED Talk How long will viewers watch both videos? In a whole?

[@Ashishkumar-rj6kp]

Okay: let's us share with our friends.

[@Bajso84]

@@Ashishkumar-rj6kp Most peoples brains are already fried; they have no interest in watching a shared 10 minute video of people talking.

[@zoeyprograms790]

I mean, he clearly knows the way to gain more attention; he has a front row seat to the data illuminating the criteria. Why did he choose to not implement the crazy or controversial keywords?

[@sakshikhurana4864]

This video should be viral.

[@sinatrabone]

Tristan, you've become a real inspiration to me. I've been following "Your Undivided Attention" for a while now, and I recently was so happy to see the success of "The Social Dilemma". Your good intention comes through clearly in everything I see from your organization. You make me want to lead my life in a way to have a similar effect on the world. Thanks for your example. And I hope we can get this problem turning around more and more as times goes on.

[@normannabatar6260]

Thanks to Netflix, too.

[@rothandre6497]

I find this video even more enlightening after the recent hearings on IG and FB knowing how toxic and dangerous their products are

[@limantinasihaloho9621]

Young and brilliant and caring for others.

[@suellenelm3087]

Thank goodness

[@suzanasieburger5415]

He should be heard!!! I hope he doesn't stop talking! Brilliant mind!

[@danremenyi1179]

It is truly amazing how we have allowed ourselves to get into this position. And no-one in authority seems to be interested.

[@markcarter9599]

You have become my modern day hero. Seriously.... you need to be heard.

[@hoatuean]

I wish I could be working with Tristan! Such a brilliant mind with a caring heart. We need more people like him to save this planet and the humanity in this era of technology.

[@Ashishkumar-rj6kp]

"REAL GEM"

[@zoeyprograms790]

Me too. Sad to see a year later nobody responded and offered you an opportunity to help. I don't know what he is doing on a daily basis or what is required to take matters like this to government and get a solution brainstormed and implemented. But, since he is a proclaimed "non profit", I would have imagined there would be volunteer opportunities to spread awarenes or initiatie thinktanks on how to solve a problem this big. Maybe he has all the right people on his team already and doesn't need anybody else?

[@javierhepburn221]

Ĺp

[@mikesciales9768]

Glad this is being brought into the forefront by the people who created it. They see the problems, it's like the business model picked providing us with "Flint Drinking water." Getting this discussion started is important.

[@Artie_D]

Thank you Tristan for that great testimony, I think you’ve managed to deliver the gist of the issue within your limited time. Of course it would be great if you could have more of the committee members time and make these hearings more productive.

[@zoeyprograms790]

I shared your channel and cause with my CS classmates for some wholesome entertainment between study sessions. Thank you for what you are doing; speaking for all of us who don't have the ability to take this to the courts. I am studying CS because I wanted to someday build something that could offer me a more protected experience in the world. But, that's me holding myself accountable, as you have been stating should not be the case; the giants already out there directing our lives should be held accountable! I wish I could help your cause. There are many of us who want to, so, please invite us to help in any way possible!

[@nah5925]

KZbin recommendations definitely lookin at this and saing nahhh

[@dlev]

Thank you for your service, Tristan - I will help in any way I can

[@bundleofperceptions1397]

Warning congress about the presence of deception is like warning fish about the presence of water.

[@northsand]

Thank you for your work. New technologies are essentially disrupting our way of living and not in a good way. New generations are born with smartphones, so they underestimate their impact.

[@CenterforHumaneTechnology]

You have a point. Although we are also seeing Gen Zers demanding change. www.LogOffMovement.org is a great example.

[@vickeyhoward8094]

Thank you so much!!

[@vickeyhoward8094]

I'm glad some spoke up.

[@GabbyKunga]

That's what we badly need to get re-educated and unlearn the dark deceptive lifestyle.

[@Ashishkumar-rj6kp]

Guys let's share to our friends.

[@emmahonkanen4572]

i feel like this is an issue that needs much more attention

[@tkonzl6059]

Watch the movie, "Arlington Road", not because it's incorrectly viewed as a "deep state" movie, but because it's how you're being manipulated in real-time.

[@michaeljfigueroa]

Fantastic arguments. Thanks

[@michaeljfigueroa]

This deserves more than 100 comments

[@inspectorforyou7624]

I'm in love with this man

[@tracybeckham1673]

I say “IF WHAT YOU PUT ON THAT COMPUTER WHICH CAN BE PRINTED AT ANY MOMENT IS NO DIFFERENT THAN WHAT IS TYPED OR PRINTED IS UNDER EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE UNDER OUR LAWS. THERE ARE NO SUBSTITUTIONS FOR WHAT IS LAW OR WHAT IS CONSTITUTIONAL.

[@alfsmith4936]

That only works if everyone is from the same country.

[@michaeljfigueroa]

This made me think

[@endrebiter712]

Trying to trigger more promotion for the video. Clear sight and important!

[@nah5925]

I'm here from social dilemma and this is fucking brilliant

[@Adamisthechizzle]

It's no doubt the reason this video wasn't viewed more is because of the same algorithms Tristan warned about. It's a, if you're not for us you're against us" ideal. It's just saddening at this point.

[@kucam12mischablue]

Is there a video of the full discussion before congress?

[@charleskarter6008]

I’d love to watch the whole hearing, haven’t been able to find a link yet.

[@matthewmoore4986]

Tristan agrees with my idea about fair priced election ads. This has to come back to protect the voices and the ideas of the people running.

[@iAmMattN]

Lady with the red hair was so sleepy. Imo, this is the most underestimated and dangerous issue of our time.

[@MaitriNancyLivingCoCreatively]

They owe us.

[@cinematic_monkey]

Here we are 3 years later. Nothing happened. These senate hearings are a waste of time. Some congressman: "This is what I heard - Yadda yadda yadda money money money."

[@84mvalles]

Share this share this!!

[@AbhishekSharma-rq1zv]

Hello sir ,hi this is abhishek from india , i saw your video on Ted , that was absolutely amazing and I got so much new information and insight on this topic of ' how technology is controlling us' sir I want to ask that , is there any specific platform where u share more of this topic , I wanted to know. On this amazing topic and I also want to educate school kids on this topic , and one more thing do you write blog or books on this topic ??? I hope u got my point , coz English is not my mother tounge (language ) , I hope u will reply , thanks....

[@AbhishekSharma-rq1zv]

@@matthewcover8748 thanku Matthew for replying , where are you from ?brother , can I get to know ur Instagram handle...???

[@manvendrasingh4625]

Hahahha the irony

[@sirim5058]

the center of humane technology is a really good non profit you should check out, they have a lot of good resources/advice for everyone and also some other stuff worth checking out

[@suellenelm3087]

Discord

[@alaalfa8839]

Did you notice?? There is no "emoticon" for boredom... It's probably a strategy to not put boredom emotion oíor neutral emoticon to social media.

[@Frisbieinstein]

Why do the people scorn the loving protective arms of Big Brother?

[@iangratton6062]

Anyone here after the Metaverse public debut?

[@JMT34237]

This video should be viral...

[@Y00Nji]

hi good morning ... ☀️

[@FaisalAzad]

Is there a way to remove recommendations on YT? I feel my use of YT will be purposeful if I can remove recommendations

[@sirim5058]

search up the "df youtube" extension, it stands for "distraction free" and it's really good for removing distraction.

[@Ronnie.V.89]

Train your brain and you won't have to worry about distractions. Change your mind and your mind will change you, just remember you are in control... accountability is necessary. Best wishes to you

[@hansluft5557]

You can set your preferences in your google-account.

[@zoeyprograms790]

@@Ronnie.V.89 Sounds like you fell into the cult of "mind over matter" lol... mind over matter works for a minority of people... it's not "the way".

[@MonaMarMag]

Dzięki Bogu kłamstwo ma zawsze krótkie nogi , a kto pod kim dołki kopie ten sam w nie wpada . Bóg nierychliwy ale zawsze sprawiedliwy.

[@nikolaneberemed]

The education system is teaching kids logic and epistemology so they can have a solid foundation for building their knowledge and be able to tell fact from fiction, and is not teaching them bullshit like sex is a social construct, which is why loons and propagandists are not a problem at all. On a side note, do we need a sarcasm font on the Internet?

[@dtjones8706]

A shame that all fell on deaf ears.

[@Daily_Llama]

Get rid of the block and mute buttons and things will get better. We're teaching children that fascism is an acceptable form online and they're taking it offline.

[@zoeyprograms790]

what's worse is that people start to think that what's tolerated online is tolerabe in real physical life.

[@melluecke1055]

ControlUSVirus is facious propaganda. Saw this on day 1.

[@abdullahawisimulaha]

Its like the parent tries to explain to (the child)old generation the new world, that they started to realize theire not only the part of, but theire the regulators of. The new world which accelerated to the speed which exceedes hte ability of being perceived by them. I dont know where all of this is going, but I hope that in these suffering poeple find the road to what is the truly important.

[@Jz-en9pi]

real-life Neo.

[@mikbethreno]

I generally agree with Tristan and I have watched his discussion with Nate Hagens but his arguments can be used to support censorship. While I don't believe that is his argument, I am concerned that that is what will happen. His focus on Russia and elections feeds into the false narrative that Russia is the reason Trump won which is completely unsupported by any factual evidrnce.

[@CenterforHumaneTechnology]

Thank you for your comment. You're right - there can be a fine line between content moderation and censorship. However, Russian election interference has been documented. Check out this Your Undivided Attention podcast episode (and Part 2 if you want to keep going on the topic!): www.humanetech.com/podcast/5-from-russia-with-likes-part-1

[@mikbethreno]

@@CenterforHumaneTechnology I never denied Russian election interference. What I said was it had no effect on the election outcome and was certainly not the reason Trump was elected. The idea that Russian (or any country for that matter) internet troll farms can affect US democratic institutions or are a threat is laughable. US elections have no integrity or democratic institutions. The two-party system is owned by the corporations and has been for years. There is no way Russian troll farms can out spend or out propagandize corrupt American institutions. You can't corrupt or threatened something that doesn't exist. As George Carlin once said, they call it the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it.

[@tomj2810]

Is that Forrest Landry behind him ?

[@neritamcom]

I respect your work. You are doing a great job. But why you are more worried about Russians than Mercer? Obama's second election also need to be investigated.

[@garylawless9622]

your comment is the reason this man is championing this

[@alfsmith4936]

@@garylawless9622 Anyone involved in Cambridge Analytica should not be trusted and should not be financing political campaigns.

[@user-re8ih7ls9j]

@@garylawless9622 He might be wrong, but what shall we do, censor him? If a commenter making a comment was the reason Tristan was championing something, that would be alarming. But I don't think this is the main concern. We are talking about a powerful propaganda machine, not a single person stating an opinion we disagree with.

[@iAmMattN]

@5:50, blaming tech companies at this point is ridiculous. There's a new space of constant danger.. like the air or sea.. and we have to become vigilant about it.. the market doesn't protect us from Russia or China or any other potentially bad foreign actor. We got rid of the office of technology in the 90s. Does it look like technology reached it's limit of growth in the 90s?

[@annalisavajda252]

Did people not go to high school? Don't realize there are gossips and bullies and all different sorts of people in the world really surprised they are on social media too? Some people are smart and artistic some are rude and mysoginstic etc. Just like before social media people vary opinions vary.

[@informationinformation647]

My review of the NetFlix movie: "The Social Dilemma" featuring magician Tristan Harris. While the movie contains many truths, concerns, and some crucial observations, careful attention needs to be paid to its implicit agenda as observable in the trajectory from scary to optimistic music. The two core messages of the movie are that (A) people do not yet know how to police their own usage of social media and this is problematic for their psychology (TRUE), and (B) that therefore social media content needs to be regulated to stop the breakdown of society through excessive diversity of opinion which will cause the end of democracy (FALSE). In fact (B), quite apart from its self-contradictory aspect, has nothing to do with (A) and is thus a telling non-sequitur or manipulative juxtaposition. (B) derives in part from an "anti-populist" political agenda (translatable as "anti-democratic") which states, without any evidence, that the rise of anti-globalist democratically elected governments around the world is somehow the rise of tyranny and the death of democracy. The dangers of populism, and the stock-phrases about Pizzagate, are referenced by Harris as the movie reaches its climax of tension (involving fictional rioting populists...) after which a young protagonist is rescued from his delusions and from the deranged mob by his loving family, the happy optimistic music begins, and we are introduced to the idea of the regulation of internet content for social stability and harmony through a one-sided technocratic truncation of free speech and a public totalitarian ethic - as already witnessed increasingly in Twitter, Facebook and KZbin. It's a clever psyop, as Google's Harris, an expert on persuasion, and the "closest thing to a Silicon Valley conscience", uses the PlayBook to recommend real fascism as a solution to fictional fascism, by posing as the one who is doing all this to humanely rescue us from the amoral grasp of Big Tech's market-driven AI algorithms which are driving us mad for profit using Russian bots. Interposed in this fundamentally mendacious climactic segment, Harris before Congress expresses his horror at this Pandora's Box scenario, otherwise known as the internet democratization of the media, as if it is the collapse of civilization rather than on average educational and empowering. In a flurry of (possibly) un-selfaware Orwellianisms, he calls it "the end of truth" and hopes to "reverse our downgrading" by "ethically steering" us away from the storm of AI-facilitated viral media content from the Russians. The movie here lays bare its contention that traditional media content is somehow reliable (rather than, for example, being filled with known CIA propaganda about Russia collusion), and that alternative media, shared in a distributed fashion on the internet by citizen journalists with no vested interests, is extremist fake news, when in fact the reverse is probably true. I will be a citizen journalist right now and tell you that every hour taxpayers in the United States are paying $32,077,626 for the total cost of wars since 2001, but neither CNN or Fox will ever tell you that, any more than they told us that arch-globalist George H.W. Bush bombed thousands of retreating and surrendering Iraqi troops into their desert graves after the Gulf War ceasefire, or that the CIA runs planes full of heroin out of Afghanistan. Therefore the movie is disingenuous, and in the end it is more manipulative and dishonest than the situation about which it scaremongers. At its core, it is dressed-up schlock and propaganda for its obvious agenda: the policing of the Internet. And its clients would be the usual suspects. So a summary of the plot is as follows (1) We know everything about you (2) We can control you without you even knowing it (3) So you’d better give us humane control of your information feed or we will surely destroy your children by inhumanely allowing them vote against us. It's "Problem Reaction Solution". In crying wolf on technology's "checkmate on humanity" (ie: populism), the movie attempts to anti-populistically execute that exact move. The issues about addiction are separate issues thrown in to confound debate. Watching these (double? triple?) binds unfold on the screen is the closest thing yet to being in an episode of “The Prisoner”, an excellent show, if you have not watched it. Really, at this point, it behooves us to drag the child wizard out from behind his curtain and take him for a cup of tea at the Emerald Cafe, where one and all of us go. The movie is well done, and does cover some topics other than the urgent need to control humans the way we want to before it's too late because now we can. Jaron Lanier is the most compelling commentator and sincerely delivers some spooky lines. Intellectually it is much more interesting when it almost touches on the novelty of the interaction between free-will-driven human beings and the deterministic processes of AI, rather than when it is wringing its hands about the elite class's 10,000 year old "Social Dilemma" of how to control our information for our own good. We all know already why you think our information has to be controlled thank you.

[@romansobak8333]

I just watched social dilemma and missed the argument that censorship is a solution for algorithmic manipulation,thanks for pointing it out,I’ll rewatch it with more attention to the details.cheers

[@akompsupport]

Amazing this CIA front man is not in prison.

[@andrewforce6516]

Deaf ears.

[@leocarlsson488]

Well he are making a conspiracy theory! About pepol being a cult that dont know thay are in a cult, and how do he know he arent one, and how do we know he arent one, and why are he in a public relationship like a star?

[@nsfeliz7825]

word salad intellectual. what the hell does he even mean? randomly saying random words.

[@RubinGhimire]

It's in English.

[@manamibhunia8037]

#makeitviral attention please #viral we need people like him 🙏