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Shannon Vallor, a virtue ethicist and philosopher, has been studying the ethics of emerging technologies for nearly 20 years. In this book she challenges the simplistic tech optimist and doomer viewpoints of the future of AI technology.
She believes that these polarized media narratives act as a distraction from other pressing issues, from the powers that already control us, and from the genuine existential risks of AI. She posits that creating the illusion of AI as an all-powerful godlike force and de-emphasizing the role of human input in its proliferation/development benefits corporate interest, leaving individuals feeling disempowered and as though they are without a choice.
Vallor uses the metaphor of the physical properties of mirrors to paint a picture of artificial intelligence as a reflection of human intelligence. She demystifies AI technology, explaining its realistic capabilities and its limitations, and offers a radical path of grassroots resistance that puts us back in the driver‘s seat to reclaim our humanity and shape our future.
I linked a one-hour podcast episode where she talks about the ideas she explores in the book. I highly recommend listening at the very least if you‘re interested in hearing her perspective!
Oct 5, 2024
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I do believe artificial intelligence is one of the most (if not the most) important emerging human rights issues of the future, which is why I dedicate a substantial amount of time and energy to learning about it!
I always say know thy enemy so if you’re interested in gaining knowledge about AI design to bolster your arguments against it I would recommend reading this draft manuscript excerpt from the Oxford Handbook of Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.
Shannon Mattern is a media studies and art history professor at Penn State and in this text she offers an in-depth analysis of the ethical implications and concerns of design automation. The sources cited are also great jumping-off points for further reading and consideration!
Oct 5, 2024
i focus a lot on ethics and technology in my studies, so AI has been a huge discussion topic in my life lately lol. i took a course where the professor's entire thesis was that AI could bring about the next Industrial Revolution and we must act now. I think AI is super fascinating and could potentially be the next frontier and the invention that might move humanity forward (the last big invention was the iPhone over a decade ago and we haven't really had any disrupting technologies since then). a lot of public facing applications of AI are basically still in their infancy and are extremely error prone. at the same time, AI does seem to be a bit of a buzz word term that gets thrown around by people don't understand it super well (example: people saying 'an AI' when talking about ChatGPT lol) and it can be frustrating to discuss (as someone who studies tech, whenever I mention my major ppl ask about AI lmao).
I agree with you that we should not be afraid of AI or its introduction into society and instead focus on its application. AI is human made and cannot function without a human (we should only be worried if AI starts to make its own decisions or develop its own language whenever I think of introducing AI into society I think of that quote that's like computers should never make management decisions because computers cannot be held accountable.
I like philosophical ramblings about whether AI can ever be sentient, if humans are playing God, etc, and witnessing the development of AI right before my eyes has made me interested in more scifi novels and movies lol.
I really like Yale professor Luciano Floridi. He deals with the ethics of information and talks a lot about AI and its applications. He has a ton of papers and talks and goes on a lot of podcasts.
Mar 24, 2024
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When the smartphone revolution began about 20 years ago you knew when you were using a smartphone or not. You knew when you were sitting down at a computer or not, when you were opening up a social media app or not, etc.
I think the big difference here is that AI is everywhere and in everything, almost without user consent. No industry is safe. Education isn't safe. Childhood isn't safe. Religious communities aren't safe. Text exchanges with family members aren't safe.
For months now I've recognized the need to establish a set of personal values and safeguards around AI. These apply primarily to me and in my domains of oversight. But also they will shape who and what I engage with and consume from.
In many ways I think this will be the issue of our time. What does it mean to be a human? Is there value in creating or only in the completed product? What do we gain from the struggle of the creative process?
Also I see opportunity everywhere.
As generative AI overtakes and as we realize that we can't trust anything that comes through a screen, even, soon, the person on the other side of a Zoom video chat (it could be their AI avatar authorized to speak on their behalf), then real life and real world interactions become so much more poignant and beautiful.
Right now I lead a community writing workshop on weekly basis. IT IS REAL. No one is using AI. We write together with pens in notebooks. We read our work aloud together. This will remain a safe space.
I can see other safe spaces springing up too. For instance: we gather and paint or make art, together and in realtime. Then we walk next door and hang our art immediately in a gallery and have a show. It's real. It's human. And we can trust it.
Also I see communities forming of people who choose to opt out of the generative AI devolution. There's a lot of thoughtful writing about this out there already.
May 15, 2025
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My dad teases me about how when I was a little kid, my favorite thing to do when I was on the landline phone with somebody—be it a relative or one of my best friends—was to breathlessly describe the things that were in my bedroom so that they could have a mental picture of everything I loved and chose to surround myself with, and where I sat at that moment in time. Perfectly Imperfect reminds me of that so thanks for always listening and for sharing with me too 💌
Feb 23, 2025
May 28, 2025
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I’ve been thinking about how much of social media is centered around curating our self-image. When selfies first became popular, they were dismissed as vain and vapid—a critique often rooted in misogyny—but now, the way we craft our online selves feels more like creating monuments.
We try to signal our individuality, hoping to be seen and understood, but ironically, I think this widens the gap between how others perceive us and who we really are. Instead of fostering connection, it can invite projection and misinterpretation—preconceived notions, prefab labels, and stereotypes. Worse, individuality has become branded and commodified, reducing our identities to products for others to consume.
On most platforms, validation often comes from how well you can curate and present your image—selfies, aesthetic branding, and lifestyle content tend to dominate. High engagement is tied to visibility, not necessarily depth or substance. But I think spaces like PI.FYI show that there’s another way: where connection is built on shared ideas, tastes, and interests rather than surface-level content. It’s refreshing to be part of a community that values thoughts over optics.
By sharing so few images of myself, I’ve found that it gives others room to focus on my ideas and voice. When I do share an image, it feels intentional—something that contributes to the story I want to tell rather than defining it. Sharing less allows me to express who I am beyond appearance.
For women, especially, sharing less can be a radical act in a world where the default is to objectify ourselves. It resists the pressure to center appearance, focusing instead on what truly matters: our thoughts, voices, and authenticity. I’ve posted a handful of pictures of myself in 2,500 posts because I care more about showing who I am than how I look.
In trying to be seen, are we making it harder for others to truly know us? It’s a question worth considering.
Dec 27, 2024