How to Fix the Future

1. Technology Needs Human Agency

Rather than an internet of things, however, this book showcases an internet of people.

Technology is a tool. The core argument is that technology, while powerful, is merely a tool. Its impact, whether positive or negative, depends entirely on how humans choose to wield it. The book emphasizes the importance of human agency in shaping the digital future, advocating for active participation in guiding technological development.

Smart humans, not smart technology. The book champions the idea that smart human beings, acting as innovators, regulators, educators, consumers, and engaged citizens, are the key to fixing the future. It's not about relying solely on technological solutions, but about leveraging human ingenuity and ethical considerations to navigate the challenges of the digital age.

Call to action. The book serves as a call to arms against technological determinism, urging readers to recognize their responsibility in shaping society. It reminds us that our timeless responsibility to shape our own societies is essential if we are to build a habitable digital future.

2. The Digital Revolution Echoes the Industrial Revolution

We’ve been here before, of course.

Historical parallels. The book draws parallels between the digital revolution and the industrial revolution, highlighting similar societal disruptions, economic inequalities, and existential anxieties. By examining historical responses to technological upheaval, the book seeks to inform and guide present-day solutions.

Recurring challenges. The issues that were most salient during previous social, political, and economic crises—the exaggerated power and wealth of elites, economic monopolies, excessively weak or strong government, the impact of unregulated markets, mass unemployment, the undermining of individual rights, cultural decay, the disappearance of public space, the existential dilemma of what it means to be human—are the same today as they’ve always been.

Learning from the past. The book suggests that the strategies used to manage the industrial revolution—regulation, civic responsibility, worker and consumer choice, competitive innovation, and education—can be adapted to address the challenges of the digital age. It emphasizes the importance of a multifaceted approach rather than relying on a single, overarching solution.

3. The Peril of Unchecked Technological Utopianism

We need an optimistic map of the future which puts humans in its center.

Duality, not Singularity. The book warns against the dangers of technological utopianism, arguing that the digital revolution, if left unchecked, could lead to a "Duality"—an ever-deepening chasm between humans and smart machines, and between tech companies and the rest of humanity. It cautions against the belief that technology alone can solve all of society's problems.

The human cost. The book highlights the human costs of the digital revolution, including economic inequality, job insecurity, cultural confusion, political chaos, and existential fear. It argues that these issues must be addressed proactively to ensure a more equitable and sustainable future.

Moral catch-up. The book emphasizes the need for "moral catch-up," urging individuals and institutions to adapt their values and ethics to the rapidly changing technological landscape. It suggests that technology cannot solve moral problems and that human progress requires a conscious effort to align technology with human values.

4. Regulation and Innovation: A Necessary Symbiosis

Innovation and regulation are symbiotic, and the future never gets fixed without new laws.

Regulation protects innovation. The book challenges the notion that regulation stifles innovation, arguing instead that it can foster a more competitive and equitable marketplace. It suggests that antitrust regulations, for example, can protect start-ups and prevent monopolies from stifling innovation.

Public space is essential. The book emphasizes the importance of preserving public space in the digital age, advocating for responsible human-centric design and the creation of public media platforms. It suggests that some digital platforms, like Twitter, may be too important to be treated solely as for-profit companies.

Antitrust matters. The book highlights the need for antitrust regulation to protect innovation and prevent the formation of monopolies. It suggests that government intervention is sometimes necessary to ensure a level playing field for all players in the digital economy.

5. The Power of Consumer and Worker Choice

All laws are promulgated for this end, that every man may know his duty.

Consumer power. The book recognizes the power of consumers to shape markets and products through their choices. It highlights the role of consumer demand in driving improvements in the food industry, suggesting that similar forces can be applied to the digital economy.

Worker empowerment. The book emphasizes the importance of worker choice and empowerment, advocating for the protection of labor rights and the creation of new social security systems. It suggests that a fair and stable society requires a significant portion of the community to be employed.

The market isn't always right. The book cautions against the belief that the market is always right, arguing that unregulated markets can lead to exploitation and inequality. It suggests that consumer and worker choices must be informed and protected to ensure a more just and sustainable economy.

6. Social Responsibility: A Moral Imperative

Individual privacy is the right to the self.

Civic duty. The book emphasizes the importance of social responsibility, urging individuals to contribute to and improve society. It highlights the role of trade unions, philanthropists, nonprofits, and engaged citizens in addressing the challenges of the digital age.

Human narrative. The book advocates for the creation of a "human narrative" that puts people at the center of the digital revolution. It suggests that the goal should be to design a new operating system for humans rather than for machines.

Reclaiming control. The book calls for a reassertion of human agency in the face of technological forces that often seem uncontrollable and unaccountable. It urges individuals to seize back control of their own fate and author their own story.

7. Education: The Cornerstone of a Habitable Future

As soon as you start defining the question what is human, it becomes a belief.

Reinventing education. The book emphasizes the need to reinvent education to prepare individuals for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. It suggests that this requires not only new kinds of teachers and schools but also a new way of thinking about the purpose of education itself.

Defining humanity. The book explores the question of what it means to be human in the digital age, suggesting that our unique role is to be able to "originate" things. It argues that education should focus on developing human volition and creativity, distinguishing us from smart machines.

Moral compass. The book highlights the importance of ethics and values in education, suggesting that students should be taught to use technology responsibly and for the common good. It emphasizes the need to instill a sense of civic duty and social responsibility in future generations.

8. Estonia: A Digital Society Built on Trust

Moving toward the idea of a country without borders.

E-stonia as a model. The book showcases Estonia as a leading example of a digital society, highlighting its e-government initiatives, e-residency program, and commitment to digital identity and trust. It suggests that Estonia's experience offers valuable lessons for other countries seeking to navigate the digital age.

Trust is paramount. The book emphasizes the importance of trust in a digital society, highlighting Estonia's efforts to build a transparent and accountable government. It suggests that trust between citizens and government is essential for the success of any digital transformation.

Government as a service. The book explores Estonia's vision of government as a service, with a focus on providing citizens with easy access to information and online services. It suggests that this approach can reduce bureaucracy and empower individuals to take control of their own lives.

9. Singapore: Engineering a Smart Nation

We are running a country in the cloud.

Smart Nation initiative. The book examines Singapore's Smart Nation initiative, a state-directed effort to transform the island into a "living laboratory" for data-driven innovation. It highlights the potential of smart cities to improve citizens' lives and address urban challenges.

Civic intelligence. The book explores Singapore's vision of creating a civic intelligence platform that empowers citizens to participate in shaping their society. It suggests that this approach can foster a more collaborative and responsive government.

Balancing innovation and control. The book acknowledges the potential risks of a highly centralized and data-driven society, emphasizing the need to balance innovation with individual rights and freedoms. It suggests that Singapore's experience offers valuable lessons for other countries seeking to build smart cities.

10. The Looming Threat of Algorithmic Control

What we are losing is a sense of agency in our societies.

Existential risk. The book raises concerns about the potential for artificial intelligence to undermine human agency and control. It highlights the need to address the "AI control problem" and ensure that smart machines remain aligned with human values.

Dataism vs. Humanism. The book frames the debate about AI as a contest between "Dataism" and "Humanism," urging readers to prioritize human values and ethical considerations in the development of smart technology. It suggests that the future depends on our ability to "know thyself" and resist the allure of algorithmic determinism.

The importance of goals. The book emphasizes the importance of human volition and the ability to "originate" things, arguing that this is what distinguishes us from smart machines. It suggests that our unique role in the digital age is to define our own goals and shape our own destinies.

Last updated: March 8, 2025