Jaron Lanier: Communicate via Manipulator

Jaron Lanier Money Quote saying social media thrives on virality and is supported by an advertising revenue model, which leads to manipulative communication. Jaron Lanier said:
 

 

“We cannot have a society in which if two people wish to communicate the only way that can happen is if it’s financed by a third person who wishes to manipulate them” — Jaron Lanier

In this quote, Jaron Lanier is expressing concern about communication between individuals being dependent on funding from third parties who wish to influence them. He seems to be saying that a healthy society should not have private interactions between two people only possible if financed by a third-party advertiser or organization seeking to manipulate the views of those communicating.

The quote implies this dynamic could undermine genuine free expression and exchange of ideas if people must rely on sponsors who interject their own agendas. Overall, Lanier appears to value direct communication that is not contingent on outside financial influence that may come with strings attached to manipulate the discussion.

Jaron Lanier on Robot vs. Human Labor

Jaron Lanier Money Quotation saying because of Moore’s Law making computer driven machines smarter and capable of doing things more cheaply than humans, that human labor appears too expensive. Jaron Lanier said:
 

 

“When machines get incredibly cheap to run, people seem correspondingly expensive” — Jaron Lanier

In this quote, Jaron Lanier is pointing out a relationship between the rising capabilities and declining costs of technology versus perceptions of human labor. As machines, computers and other automated systems become ever more powerful yet inexpensive to operate, Lanier suggests that people by comparison seem increasingly expensive resources.

The quote implies that when technological infrastructure can be run for minimal fees, the salaries and benefits required to employ human workers start appearing less affordable.

Overall, Lanier appears to be observing how advances in low-cost automation can relatively diminish perceptions of the financial value of human work and employees.

Jaron Lanier on Humans vs. Computers

Jaron Lanier Money Quotation saying a computer gets cheaper and faster while people don’t change or improve, we don’t get less expensive as computing does, yet we expect ever higher payment for our human services. Jaron Lanier said:
 

 

“Moore’s Law means that more and more things can be done practically for free, if only it weren’t for those people who want to be paid” — Jaron Lanier

In this quote, Jaron Lanier is commenting on how Moore’s Law of technological progress affects perceptions of labor costs. Moore’s Law states that computing power doubles every couple years while getting cheaper, enabling more capabilities at lower prices.

Lanier suggests this also means more things could essentially be done “for free” if not for the need to pay human workers. The quote implies that from a purely economic perspective, as technology advances according to Moore’s Law it makes people seem relatively expensive compared to automated systems.

However, Lanier appears to be critiquing this view by pointing out the need to fairly compensate human workers even as technology becomes more powerful and affordable over time.