Magisterial Lectures | Ma Assunta Cuyegkeng PhD - Living with Technology in a VUCA World

Summary

This lecture explores humanity's journey through technological waves, from the Stone Age to the current era of disruptive innovation. It discusses the dilemmas of modern life, such as the choice between disposable and cloth diapers, symbolizing broader environmental and social concerns. The speaker emphasizes the importance of integral ecology, as highlighted by Pope Francis, which calls for a holistic approach to respect human and social conditions, sustainable development, and justice. The COVID-19 pandemic serves as a catalyst for reevaluating our consumption and lifestyle choices, urging us to consider the consequences of our actions on the environment and society, and to make choices that benefit the common good.

Takeaways

• 😀 The lecture begins with a personal dilemma faced by the speaker in 1987 regarding the choice between disposable and cloth diapers, highlighting the environmental and convenience trade-offs in decision-making.
• ⏳ The story of humanity is presented as one of survival and thriving through the use of ingenuity and intelligence, evolving through different 'waves' of societal development characterized by prevailing technologies.
• 🛠️ The First Wave is associated with the development of agriculture, leading to stable food supply, increased population, and the establishment of social orders like landlord-tenant and master-slave relationships.
• 🏭 The Second Wave corresponds with the Industrial Revolution, marked by machine-based technologies, urbanization, and new systems for labor, economy, and education.
• 🌐 The Third Wave includes the current society, driven by knowledge-based technologies like ICT, biotechnology, and engineering, which are often disruptive and change the way we live and do business.
• 💡 Disruptive technologies paired with the right business models lead to disruptive innovations, creating new markets and changing consumer behaviors, as illustrated by the examples of personal computers, mobile phones, streaming services, and ride-sharing apps.
• 🌍 The connectivity provided by technology has made the world seem smaller and more accessible, leading to a lifestyle that we have come to take for granted, with increased freedom in various aspects of life.
• 🔄 The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of integral ecology, which considers human and social conditions, sustainable development, and justice for future generations.
• 🌿 Pope Francis's encyclical 'Laudato Si' is mentioned, emphasizing the need for respect for the environment, social justice, and a culture that values more than just consumption and profit.
• 🛑 The pandemic has exposed the volatility and uncertainty of the world, with complex systems interacting and feedback loops affecting various aspects of life, including health, economy, and politics.
• 🚫 The importance of discerning facts, respecting natural laws, and verifying information through expert consensus and ethical codes is highlighted, especially in the face of misinformation and political agendas.
• 🌱 The temporary halt of usual activities during the lockdown allowed the environment to recover, suggesting that a change in lifestyle and consumer habits can have a positive impact on the environment and society.

Q & A

What dilemma did the speaker face as a young mother in 1987?

The speaker faced the dilemma of choosing between using disposable diapers, which contributed to environmental waste, and cloth diapers, which were inconvenient and could lead to a lack of sleep.

How does the speaker describe the story of humanity?

The speaker describes the story of humanity as one of finding ways to survive and thrive using ingenuity and intelligence, adapting to different technological 'waves' throughout history.

What are the three 'waves' described by Alfred Duffler in his book 'The Third Wave'?

The three 'waves' described by Alfred Duffler are: the first wave, characterized by the development of agriculture and settlements; the second wave, associated with the industrial revolution and mass production; and the third wave, which includes current society and is driven by science and knowledge-based technologies.

What is the term used for technologies that completely change the way we do things?

The term used for such technologies is 'disruptive technologies'.

How does the speaker relate disruptive technology to disruptive innovation?

The speaker relates disruptive technology to disruptive innovation by stating that when paired with the right business model, these technologies can create new markets and change various industries, such as personal computers replacing mainframe computers.

What are some examples of disruptive innovations mentioned in the script?

Examples of disruptive innovations mentioned include personal computers, mobile phones, streaming apps like iTunes and Spotify, video streaming apps like Netflix, ride-sharing services, and delivery apps.

How does the speaker describe the impact of science and technology on our lifestyles before the lockdowns?

The speaker describes the impact as providing us with more power than we could imagine, allowing us to control temperatures, access things on demand, and experience cultures like never before, making the world smaller and more interconnected.

What is the Pope Francis' encyclical 'Laudato Si' and what does it emphasize?

'Laudato Si' is Pope Francis' encyclical that emphasizes care for our common home, touching on points such as environmental and social degradation, integral ecology, ecological conversion, dialogue, and spirituality.

What does the speaker suggest is the primary concern of those with knowledge, technology, and economic resources?

The speaker suggests that the primary concern of those with knowledge, technology, and economic resources is profit, leading to a culture of consumption and technocratic paradigm.

How does the speaker describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our understanding of integral ecology?

The speaker describes the pandemic as highlighting the importance of integral ecology, showing the need to see the big picture and understand the interconnectedness of complex systems, including science, technology, economy, social issues, and politics.

What lifestyle changes did the speaker observe during the COVID-19 lockdowns?

The speaker observed that during the lockdowns, people could survive on much less, learned to focus on buying local, engaging communities, and deepening faith, which showed that choices and behaviors can have consequences.

What compromise did the speaker make regarding diaper choices for her baby in 1987?

The speaker compromised by using cloth diapers with nappy liners most of the time, but also using disposable diapers during weeknights for better sleep and during long trips for convenience.

What is the speaker's final message regarding our relationship with technology and lifestyle choices?

The speaker's final message is that living with technology does not have to be a passive acceptance of what is sold to us. By understanding options and consequences, and making choices that benefit not only ourselves but also others and the environment, we can hope for a better life.