Key insights

• ⚠️ Acknowledgment of the challenges faced by the class of 2024 due to the pandemic and reliance on technology.
• 🌐 Reflection on the negative impact of technology on public discourse and society, citing personal experiences in the Philippines.
• 🎯 Discussion of online attacks and misinformation, including personal experiences of being targeted due to associations with prominent figures.
• 📩 Received 90 hate messages per hour in 2016
• 🎯 Faced dehumanization and false accusations of being CIA and communist
• ⚖️ Arrested multiple times and paid bail and bonds more than a dictator's wife
• ⚔️ Emphasizes the importance of fighting for what you believe in and the chilling effect of fear and anger on society
• 📣 Protests should not be violent and give voice without being silenced
• ⚠️ Technology poses a danger with insidious information operations online
• ⚡ Three ways to confront challenges: choose your best self, turn crisis into opportunity, and be vulnerable
• 🕊️ Genocide in Myanmar and other countries fueled by social media
• 🗳️ Decline of democracy and rise of autocratic rule
• 🛡️ Call for future leaders to fight for democracy and regain trust
• 🌪️ Embrace worst-case scenarios and prepare for crisis
• 🤖 Concern about the corruption of the information ecosystem due to deep fakes and chat bots
• ⚖️ Reform or revoke Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act

Q&A

• What reform was suggested to create a more compassionate world?

  The speaker suggested the reform or revocation of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to restore faith in humanity, embrace vulnerability, and work towards a more compassionate and equal world.

• What measures were advised to handle the spread of misinformation?

  Embracing worst-case scenarios, preparing for crisis, and struggling for agency and independent thought were advised to address the corruption of the information ecosystem due to deep fakes and chat bots.

• What is the role of social media in undermining trust and democracy?

  Social media, particularly Facebook, has been implicated in breaking democracy and trust, contributing to the decline of democracy and the rise of autocratic rule, as seen in various countries including Myanmar.

• What dangers of technology were highlighted?

  The speaker highlighted the dangers of insidious information operations, online violence, and the weaponization of technology, urging people to choose their best selves and confront challenges.

• How have journalists been affected by disinformation and attacks?

  Journalists have been targeted with hate messages, dehumanization, and false accusations, while facing arrests and bail for reporting the truth and combating disinformation.

• What personal experiences with online attacks were shared?

  The speaker shared experiences of being targeted due to associations with prominent figures and facing hate messages, arrests, and bail while reporting the truth.

• What impact does technology have on conflict and society?

  Technology has a negative impact on public discourse and society, leading to online attacks, misinformation, and a decline in trust and democracy.

• What challenges does the class of 2024 face?

  The class of 2024 faces challenges due to the pandemic and reliance on technology, impacting their academic and personal experiences.

• 00:01 A commencement address at Harvard discussing the challenges faced by the class of 2024, the impact of technology on conflict and society, and personal experiences with online attacks.
• 04:14 A journalist shares her experience of facing hate messages, arrests, and bail while reporting the truth to hold power accountable. She highlights the global issue of disinformation, attacks on journalists, and the chilling effect of fear and anger on society.
• 07:49 The speaker highlights the dangers of technology, encourages choosing one's best self, turning crisis into opportunity, and being vulnerable in response to online divisiveness and misinformation. The importance of integrity, truth, and trust in information is emphasized.
• 11:32 The speaker addresses the impact of genocide, the decline of democracy, and the role of social media in undermining trust. Urges future leaders to fight for democracy.
• 15:25 The speaker advises to embrace the worst-case scenarios, prepare for crisis, and be wary of the corruption of the information ecosystem due to deep fakes and chat bots. There's concern about the lack of safety measures and the spread of misinformation, which requires a struggle for agency and independent thought.
• 18:46 The speaker emphasizes the need for reform or revocation of Section 230, restoring faith in humanity, being vulnerable, and creating a more compassionate and equal world. Welcome to the battlefield!