But he is in a much better position to work on the curious problems of ever increasing political polarization in our new Post-Factual world.
If I were to guess, over the next century that problem is going to result is a vastly more misery than a slight speed up to medical technology could compensate for.
I am much more concerned about social/ethical/cultural problems in general. I think if those problems were solved, all other issues with effectively evaporate in a very short time, because we waste a tremendous amount of energy on, well, random crap.
Sometimes technological/medical/governmental/etc. changes do move the social forward so there's hope there.
I agree entirely. And, looking at a small but easier part, I believe that there is a particular piece that Zuckerberg can work on very effectively.
His company is now a key part of the way people form their view of the world. The algorithm/process that selects what ideas they are exposed to chooses only the most outlandish and memorable ideas that also serve to reinforce the viewers already existing preconceptions. This, after all, makes facebook quite attractive: an echo chamber of stimulating impressions that always reconfirm your world view. Obviously accuracy is irrelevant in this model and evidence is unheard of.
This is a specific problem that is contributing to a completely credulous world view, worsening political gaps based on untruths and, worst of all, creating the belief that fact is just another word for opinion. And this problem is exactly in his area of expertise on a platform he has control of.
At any rate, if not worked on pretty quick, a re-established House Un-American Activities Committee will make it awfully hard later.
But he is in a much better position to work on the curious problems of ever increasing political polarization in our new Post-Factual world.
If I were to guess, over the next century that problem is going to result is a vastly more misery than a slight speed up to medical technology could compensate for.