#Mutual Influence

The Reciprocity of Change in Every Touch

Finally, our digital tools literalize Butler’s reciprocity. Recommender systems evolve from our clicks; in turn, they refashion our tastes and politics. Melvin Kranzberg’s first law (1986)—“Technology is neither good nor bad; nor is it neutral”—fits here because each design choice touches, and so changes, users. Goodhart’s Law (1975) adds a caution: when a measure becomes a target, it stops being a good measure—meaning our touch warps the metrics that then warp us. Consequently, ethics becomes practical craft. Set defaults that protect attention; audit algorithms; cultivate frictions that slow harmful touches. In Butler’s Earthseed spirit, we can choose changes that will make us the kinds of people we mean to become. [...]

The Unique Influence of Human Connections - Jorge Luis Borges

Jorge Luis Borges was an Argentine writer and philosopher known for his works that explore complex themes such as time, memory, and identity. This quote reflects his interest in the profound effects of human interactions and the ongoing influence of relational dynamics. [...]