Is technological progress always good? with Ariel Conn

In this episode of the Responsible Bytes podcast, Dr. Zena Assaad engages with technology and global risks expert Ariel Conn to explore the complex relationship between technological progress and human well-being. They challenge the narrative that technological advancement is inherently positive, contrasting it with the hunter-gatherer lifestyle as a potential lens for understanding stress and mental health in modern society.

The conversation covers the balance between innovation and caution, with both experts reflecting on how modern technology impacts our lives. They also delve into broader topics such as beliefs about extraterrestrial life, the historical shift from matrifocal to patriarchal societies, and how societal values shape our perceptions of various professions. The discussion touches on the complexities of human decision-making, the influence of consumerism, and the need to understand our past in order to build a better future. 

The blog post Ariel wrote, that was the focus of this episode: https://whatintheworldistheproblem.substack.com/p/prehistoric-life-versus-technology?source=queue 

The book Ariel mentions during this episode: 

Determined: A science of life without free will https://bookshop.org/p/books/determined-a-science-of-life-without-free-will-robert-m-sapolsky/19662545?ean=9780525560999&next=t

More about our guest:
📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aconn23/
🌐Website: https://www.thehealingpathways.org/

More about our host:
📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/
📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/
🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social
🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/