Rens van der Vorst
Rens van der Vorst is a techno philosopher and author of best-selling books on technology. With his grounded knowledge, he helps to think about the impact of technology on our lives and society. As a philosopher he reflects on this and, with great humor, shares his thoughts with his students and audiences. Does technology make our lives better? Do we even know what is better? How do we make sure we don't become dependent on our phones? Rens chafes, entertains and inspires. His goal is for everyone to become a little techno philosopher.
Screen Addiction: How to have a rewarding relationship with technology
-
"In the 1970s we were massively addicted to cigarettes. Now again many people have a difficult relationship with an addictive product: the apps on our smartphones. However, our complete attitude towards smoking has now changed and we smoke much less. What can we learn from that? And what lessons will help us make our screens work for us instead of the other way around? How do we ensure that we are not addicted to our screens, but that they help us become a better professional, parent or friend?"
-
During the expert session, Rens van der Vorst engages the audience through a Q&A session, live demonstrations using the Mentimeter app for data collection, and sharing thought-provoking analogies. Rens discusses the impact of technology on individuals and society, drawing parallels between smoking and screen addiction to highlight the importance of healthy habits. He also emphasizes the need for awareness and mindfulness in our relationship with technology, encouraging critical thinking and intentional boundaries. Rens addresses concerns around ethics, education, gender diversity, and the long-term effects of technology on our lives.
-
- Discovering Historical Parallels: Exploring the comparisons between smoking and smartphone usage sheds light on important insights regarding screen addiction.
- Establishing Healthy Technology Habits: Setting intentional boundaries around phone usage in specific situations can significantly improve focus and mental wellbeing.
- Fostering Critical Reflection and Ethics: Being mindful of technology's impact, particularly its ability to manipulate behavior and ethical concerns, is essential for leading a valuable life.
-
In this expert session, Rens van der Vorst explores the connection between smartphone usage and screen addiction, drawing parallels with the history of smoking. Rens begins by asking listeners about their own phone use habits, gathering data using Mentimeter to illustrate the average number of daily pickups and hours spent on phones. He questions whether this level of usage equates to screen addiction or if it serves a different purpose in our modern lives.
Rens then delves into the history of smoking after World War I, comparing its societal acceptance to the ubiquitous use of smartphones today. He reflects on personal experiences where technology usage is expected and necessary, such as fundraising campaigns and communication channels like WhatsApp.
The speaker raises a thought-provoking question: What can we learn from the history of smoking and how it relates to screen addiction? Rens implies that by examining these phenomena together, insights may be gained on limiting phone usage in specific situations to improve focus and mental wellbeing. He suggests creating intentional boundaries around phone usage, such as leaving phones in the kitchen instead of bedrooms or using a simple alarm clock rather than relying on notifications.
Rens also proposes the development of an app that encourages running while using your phone and advocates for better technology and legislation to help individuals develop healthier relationships with their devices. The central themes of the session revolve around finding balance, creating intentional boundaries, and raising awareness about distractions that can impact focus and mental wellbeing.
During the discussion, Rens acknowledges the observation that society perceives smoking as harmful but using a smartphone as positive and required. He agrees with this assessment without further comment. In response to concerns regarding technology's connection to ethical behavior, Rens emphasizes the importance of being mindful of its impact on individuals and society during times of rapid technological advancement.
-
Being Human In Times Of Exponential Technology
Rens van der Vorst examines how technology is reshaping individuals and society, highlighting concerns about privacy, ethics, and our understanding of humanity. He uses examples like toilets with anal print recognition to illustrate potential biases and the dangers of relying too heavily on technology for decision-making, advocating for a focus on individual needs. Rens discusses how technology influences daily life, such as weather apps and online education, which alter human interactions. He also compares data-driven hospitals to dating apps, warning of skewed perceptions due to algorithmic biases. Emphasizing the need to understand the strengths and limitations of AI, he cautions against over-reliance on these systems without proper oversight. Rens advocates for technology that enhances human potential rather than exploiting negativity and stresses the importance of law and consumer awareness in shaping a better technological future. He remains skeptical of AI's ability to solve complex issues like climate change, citing political will as a greater challenge.
