18th Jun 2024 Gemini 1.5 Pro
Jeff Orlowski-Yang, a co-founder and the president of Exposure Labs, embarked on his filmmaking journey with "Chasing Ice," a documentary showcasing the alarming effects of climate change on glaciers. His passion for environmental advocacy led him to direct "Chasing Coral," exposing the devastating impact of rising temperatures on coral reefs. These experiences positioned him at the front lines of the climate crisis, witnessing firsthand the degradation of vital ecosystems.
Orlowski-Yang's focus shifted from documenting vanishing ecosystems to exposing the intricacies of social networking with his film "The Social Dilemma." This transition stemmed from his realization that extractive industries operating in both the physical and digital realms share a common thread: exploiting resources for profit at the expense of humanity and the planet.
It really is a similar existential threat. Some of our subjects were calling it a climate change of culture…that invisible to each and every one of us, the technology that we interact with every day is changing the way we think, the way we see the world, the way we understand the world.
This realization fueled his concern about the pervasive influence of technology on human behavior and its potential to exacerbate societal issues. "The Social Dilemma" delves into the design principles behind these platforms, highlighting the inherent flaws in their incentive structures that prioritize engagement and profit over genuine human connection and well-being.
Orlowski-Yang advocates for a fundamental shift in the way we design and interact with technology. He challenges the prevailing notion of tech solutionism, where problems are often framed from a narrow, profit-driven perspective. Instead, he emphasizes the need to prioritize human needs and well-being in the design process, fostering a more mindful and intentional relationship with technology.
He proposes a shift from prioritizing large-scale, extractive models to focusing on fostering meaningful connections within smaller, more manageable social circles. Drawing inspiration from the Dunbar number, which suggests humans can maintain around 150 meaningful relationships, Orlowski-Yang challenges the notion of unlimited online connections.
What does technology look like that helps me flourish with my closest 150 people?
He envisions technology that facilitates genuine connection and strengthens these core relationships rather than promoting superficial engagement and addictive behaviors. This shift requires a conscious effort to design technology that aligns with human needs and promotes well-being.
Orlowski-Yang doesn't shy away from addressing the shortcomings of capitalism and its role in perpetuating environmental and social issues. He argues that the system's relentless pursuit of growth and profit has led to the depletion of natural resources and exacerbated inequality, pushing humanity and the planet to their limits.
It's like we're making all the shit that people want and people buy it all the time and we order from Amazon every every 10 minutes, but what is it actually doing for humanity? Is it giving us what we need? And I think that's the big gap of where we're at.
He emphasizes the need to move beyond the dominant narrative of endless growth and embrace alternative models like degrowth and a more reciprocal relationship with nature. These models prioritize sustainability, social justice, and a more equitable distribution of resources, ensuring a flourishing future for both humanity and the planet.
Orlowski-Yang sees immense value in exploring alternative narratives that challenge the prevailing paradigms of competition and extraction. He draws inspiration from indigenous wisdom and emerging scientific research that highlights the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of cooperation and reciprocity.
He challenges the traditional view of nature as inherently competitive, pointing to examples of symbiosis and mutualism that demonstrate the power of cooperation in the natural world. He cites "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer as a powerful example of how indigenous knowledge systems offer a more holistic and sustainable way of relating to nature.
There's more research coming out right now that it seems as though the Amazon rainforest was a human project that cultivated and planted. To think of the Amazon rainforest as a garden that humans cultivated is such a mind-blowing idea as opposed to thinking of it as like, 'Oh, nature can do better without us.'
By embracing these alternative narratives, Orlowski-Yang believes we can cultivate a deeper understanding of our place in the web of life and inspire new ways of living in harmony with nature.
Despite the daunting challenges we face, Orlowski-Yang remains optimistic about the potential for positive change. He sees a growing trend within philanthropy towards more impactful and immediate action, with foundations increasingly willing to invest their resources in addressing urgent global issues.
More and more organizations are like, "No, let's spend all the money now. Let's have all the impact we can possibly have now." Get the money out there doing the work and see what that yields.
He emphasizes the need to shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance, urging for greater transparency and collaboration in how we finance initiatives aimed at creating a more just and sustainable future. This shift requires a collective effort to align financial incentives with the well-being of both people and the planet.
Airtable