Work Substitution: A Neo-Luddite Look at Software Growth

With the big data trend, automated algorithmic decision making will open the door to countless more lines of code. Too many people already worship and revere software as a solution to human needs. And, in a continuous spiral, more data collection accelerates the need for more technology and more automated decision support systems. On a neo-Luddite view, the author is concerned about how such systems will impact our safety, sense of privacy, and psychological well-being, and in the long run replace the best of our humanity-our gut feelings. The author proposes to switch your empathetic button on and consider some of the consequence of building too much software, particularly if you're building automated decision support systems.