David Weinberger Ph.D.

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Net Exceptionalism
David Weinberger Ph.D. Harvard Berkman
Center Self _at_ evident . comApril 29, 2009
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Exceptionalism
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To Cover
Can tech be moral? What makes something
moral Sympathy What is the Web? Conclusion?
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The Victorian Internet
"It brings the world together. It joins the
sundered hemispheres. It unites distant nations,
making them feel that they are members of one
great family...An ocean cable is not an iron
chain, lying cold and dead in the icy depths of
the Atlantic. It is a living, fleshy bond between
severed portions of the human family, along which
pulses of love and tenderness will run backward
and forward forever. By such strong ties does it
tend to bind the human race in unity, peace and
concord...it seems as if this sea-nympth, rising
out of the waves, was born to be the herald of
peace." (pp 103-4")
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The Victorian Internet
"The different nations and races of men will
stand, as it were, in the presence of one
another. They will know one another better. They
will act and react upon each other. They may be
moved by common sympathies and swayed by common
interests. Thus the electric spark is the true
Promethean fire which is to kindle human hearts.
Men then will learn that they are brethren, and
that it is not less their interest than their
duty to cultivate goodwill and peace throughout
the world." (p. 104)
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Can Tech be Moral?
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What makes something moral?
Principles
Consequences
Pre-moral intuition
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What makes something moral?
Sympathy
Richard Rorty, Adam Smith
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OW!
3D Photographers_at_Flickr
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OW!
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Care
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What is the Web?
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The exciting conclusion
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Web and Morality share an architecture
But moral goodness doesnt happen by itself
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Thank you.
David Weinberger Blog www . JohoTheBlog . Com
Email self_at_evident . comTwitter dweinberger