DL 373

Collaborative Ideation

Welcome to Digitally Literate, issue #373. This week, I explored media literacy, capitalism's impact on education, and collaborative ideation.

🔖 Key Takeaways

📹 Watch: Star Wars 1923

Creative artist Douggy Pledger used MidJourney and Pika Labs to reimagine the Star Wars universe set in 1923. The visual storytelling blends vintage aesthetics with sci-fi imagination.

📚 Readings & Insights

1. Regulating AI Superintelligence

A new poll, commissioned by the think tank AI Policy Institute and conducted by YouGov, surveyed 1,118 Americans from across the age, gender, race, and political spectrums in early September. It reveals that 63 percent of voters say regulation should aim to actively prevent AI superintelligence.

Many major AI companies are racing to build superintelligent AI, which they claim will benefit humanity. However, Americans are questioning the potential risks and costs that come with developing such technology and are increasingly distrusting tech executives.

Why this matters: Policymakers must prioritize public interests over corporate ambitions in shaping AI's future.

2. The Changing American Classroom

With the increasing number of school shootings and a lack of meaningful legislation to address gun violence, American schools are taking safety measures into their own hands.

Why this matters: Addressing systemic issues requires innovative and resilient educational strategies.

3. Google’s Struggles

Google Search has become bloated with monetized features, making it harder to find authoritative answers. Amid an antitrust trial, questions arise about the company’s monopoly and its impact on user experience.

Google Search has evolved from a simple list of blue links into a multifaceted platform that encompasses mapping, a predictive engine, an encyclopedia, a chatbot, and a shopping mall. However, it has become bloated and over-monetized, making it harder to find authoritative and uncompromised answers.

Why this matters: The decline of trusted search engines affects how we access and evaluate information.

4. Unrealistic Optimism

Nate Bear discusses the concept of unrealistic optimism and identifies four cognitive factors that contribute to it. Bear suggests that people’s brains are wired to ignore the risks of certain events and that some individuals are better able to accurately assess risk.

Why this matters: Optimism must coexist with critical thinking to navigate today’s complex challenges.

5. Friends Don’t Let Friends Ideate Collaboratively

Research suggests individual ideation often generates more and better ideas compared to group brainstorming, which can be hindered by social dynamics and cognitive biases. Learn why.

Why this matters: Combining individual and collaborative approaches can maximize creativity and innovation.

🛠️ DO: Practice Humility

Humility takes many forms—intellectual, cultural, familial—and fosters empathy, collaboration, and growth.

🌟 Closing Reflection

“No matter how tired you get, no matter how you feel like you can’t possibly do this, somehow you do.”
— Octavia Butler

Thank you for being part of Digitally Literate. Reach out anytime at hello@digitallyliterate.net or on social platforms.