Hey, I’m Lindsay, the host of Make Sense w/ Lindsay T., Lady Engineer®, a weekly podcast where my guests and I simplify complex topics at the intersection of people & technology. We analyze whatever hot mess is in the news, evaluate trending innovations through a human-first lens, and take deep dives on a need-to-know basis.
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If social media apps come with Surgeon General’s Warnings similar to those on packs of cigarettes, what would be the warning when you open the app?
Quitting Social Media Now Greatly Reduces Serious Risks to Your Mental Health
Most of us feel overwhelmed by the negative content on social media platforms and the negative feelings it brings up. Yet, our brains are biased towards negative thoughts, so we do not as readily remember the positive emotions, too: Connection, communication, community, learning, gratitude, etc.
This preference for negative over positive is one reason we believe social media to be net-negative when all the research studies show it is net-positive. Today’s guest, Eric Goldman, is the second this year to emphasize that the empirical research shows this. It’s always good to know the facts to ensure our feelings don’t lead us to act irrationally.
Amidst the general anxiety, a specific concern is gaining traction: The potential manipulation of content on TikTok to sow discord via half-truths and disinformation campaigns.
While we mostly hear about data privacy concerns around the platform, many users might be less aware of this big question:
Is TikTok actively shaping what Americans see to influence their opinions?
In today’s podcast, I tackle the data privacy and national security questions around Tiktok with legal scholar Eric Goldman. Goldman’s prolific writing and insightful blog posts, sprinkled with the occasional emoji, demonstrate a deep understanding of the digital age and the generations that inhabit it.
Together, we bring more clarity into the American federal government’s attempt to ban the popular video-sharing platform. We’re lucky to have him share his expertise!
In this episode, we also answer:
- What hard evidence exists to support the TikTok ban?
- Does the ban violate our civil liberties?
- Who’s really to blame for half-truths, misinformation & disinformation online?
- Is this all political theater?
Reference the full show notes below.
Choice Quote
“In addition to the anti-China sentiments that are fueling a lot of the rage towards TikTok, there’s also the bigger, broader issue of the tech lash; that people have gotten wary of technology companies. They’re too big, they’re too powerful, they’re too profitable, and they’re unaccountable. And those general propositions have become standard talking points among politicians and the media for many years. The accumulated effect of that conditioning has led people to say, if in doubt, I’m anti-technology.”
– Professor Eric Goldman, Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Law at Santa Clara University School of Law and Co-Director of the High Tech Law Institute
Buck the media hype cycle. Calm the fear-mongering. Laugh at the inanity of Tech CEO “hero culture.” Be the smartest person in your peer’s LinkedIn feed:
Crystal Ball Predictions with Professor Eric Goldman
Here are Eric’s takes from the segment Crystal Ball: What does the future hold?
- Politicians will Blame AI for Election Results: True, but not just politicians [1:47]
- One major copyright case against AI will change its trajectory: Nuanced answer [2:23]
- Better AI guardrails and encryption for customer data: There’s a lot going on there [6:41]
Show Notes
00:00 Introduction
01:15 Crystal Ball: What does the future hold?
01:47 AI & Elections
02:13 AI Copyright Cases
06:09 Better AI Guardrails and Encryption
09:31 Tech Talk: Headline Hype vs. Reality || The TikTok Ban and Data Privacy
15:26 How does this affect our first amendment rights?
21:22 How much evidence exists to support the national security issues?
24:12 Is TikTok being used to weaponize US citizens against the government?
31:00 TikTok works differently in China. Is that evidence enough?
34:35 About the trade wars between US & China
45:54 The TikTok Ban Debate: Implications and Complexities
56:19 Empowering Critical Thinking in the Digital Age
59:22 The Value of the Internet: Fighting for Its Benefits
Where to find Professor Eric Goldman
Eric Goldman is a Professor of Law at Santa Clara University School of Law in the Silicon Valley. He also co-directs the High Tech Law Institute and supervises the Privacy Law Certificate.
His research and teaching focus on Internet, IP, and advertising law topics, and he blogs on these topics at the Technology & Marketing Law Blog [http://blog.ericgoldman.org]. Managing IP magazine has twice named him to a shortlist of North American “IP Thought Leaders,” and he has been named an “IP Vanguard” by the California State Bar’s IP Section.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgoldman/
Technology & Marketing Blog: https://blog.ericgoldman.org/
Mastodon: https://mastodon.lawprofs.org/@ericgoldman
Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/ericgoldman.bsky.social
Where to find Lindsay Tabas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaytabas
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindsayTLadyEngineer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaytladyengineer
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