The Devil's Looking Glass

"Wesley's talk took us on a journey through the history of pseudo-sciences, using them as a starting point for a critique of the assumed ‘objectivity’ that has dominated the historical narratives of science and technology. Starting with alchemy and phrenology, all the way through to contemporary practices like predictive policing, 'smart cities' and facial recognition, Wesley shows us that, as it turns out, today's technologies are not as mechanically 'objective' as they are being marketed to us. As a prime example, he presented his research around the Amazon Echo, which markets itself as an air-freshener-shaped 'speaker' but which Wesley described more precisely as an 'always listener'. What is Alexa telling Amazon about you?"

Transcript

1. THE DEVIL’S LOOKING GLASS
2. “Kelly did all his feats upon The Devil's Looking Glass, a stone; Where playing with him at Bo-peep, He solv'd all problems ne'er so deep.” Inscription on Dr. John Dee’s Magical Speculum, late-16th Century.
7. Dang an sich, 1787
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