Origins of Social Media

Creative Next: AI Automation at Work

Social media connects friends and strangers as never before. Cornell’s Lee Humphreys, author of The Qualified Self, joins Dirk and Jon to explore centuries-old social traditions now updated for a world of mobile and AI technology.

Author of The Qualified Self and Cornell University Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Lee Humphreys joins Dirk and Jon to explore the past of social communication in order to better understand its present and future. We learn how ancient technologies like fans and old traditions like diarying frame modern social media and communication less as a revolution and more like an update for the digital age.

Memorable Quotes

"As long as users are only on phones, they will at best be consumers of the technology and not developers or producers of it."

"Throughout much of the 19th century, diaries were also shared. So people would come visit and you might sit down and look through your diary together."

"Machines have a difficult time interpreting power."

"I do not think voice UI is going to have much of a future in public spaces."

"As we diversify the builders. the designers, the coders of these technologies, we will see greater diversity in the potential audiences and users that they can serve."

"I would define communication as the exchange of social meaning."

Who You'll Hear

Dirk Knemeyer, Social Futurist and Producer of Creative Next (@dknemeyer)

Jonathan Follett, Writer, Electronic Musician, Emerging Tech Researcher and Producer of Creative Next (@jonfollett)

Lee Humphries, Author of The Qualified Self and Associate Professor, Department of Communication, Cornell University (@LeeHumphreys)

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Sponsors

GoInvo, A design practice dedicated to innovation in healthcare whose clients are as varied as AstraZeneca, 3M Health Information Services, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. www.goinvo.com

Design Museum Foundation, A new kind of museum, they believe design can change the world. They’re online, nomadic, and focused on making design accessible to everyone. Their mission: bring the transformative power of design everywhere. You can learn about their exhibitions, events, magazine, and more. www.designmuseumfoundation.org

BIF, As a purpose-driven firm, BIF is committed to bringing design strategy where it is needed most - health care, education, and public service to create value for our most vulnerable populations. www.bif.is