SPOS #961 – Sandra Matz On Algorithms, Psychology And Human Behavior

Welcome to episode #961 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Sandra Matz is one of those rare individuals who sits at the intersection of academic rigor and cultural relevance. As a computational social scientist with a background in psychology and computer science, Sandra studies human behavior by uncovering the hidden relationships between our digital lives and our psychology. Her goal is to make data relatable, and help individuals and businesses make better and more ethical decisions. As the David W. Zalaznick Associate Professor of Business at Columbia Business School, Sandra has dedicated her career to understanding the hidden connections between human behavior and the data trails we leave behind. Over the last 10 years, she has published over 50 academic papers in the world’s leading peer review journals. In her new book, Mindmasters - The Data-Driven Science Of Predicting And Changing Human Behavior, Sandra dives into how big data is not just a tool for understanding us but also for influencing our decisions - sometimes in ways that are empowering, other times in ways that are downright chilling. As someone who has always been fascinated by the promise and perils of technology, this conversation hit close to home. Sandra’s perspective is nuanced: she’s as much a champion of the transformative potential of algorithms in areas like mental health and financial well-being as she is a critic of their misuse for manipulation. Our conversation ranges from her conflicted feelings about the power of psychological targeting to her hope that these tools can help individuals lead happier, more balanced lives. What struck me most was her candor about the fine line between helpful nudges and invasive manipulation. Sandra is not just theorizing about these issues; she’s actively shaping the conversation around them. If you’re grappling with questions about the role of AI and algorithms in our lives - whether as a force for good or something we need to be deeply wary of - this episode will give you plenty to think about. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 1:04:51.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
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• Here is my conversation with Sandra Matz.
• Mindmasters - The Data-Driven Science Of Predicting And Changing Human Behavior.
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• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction to Computational Social Science.
(03:00) - The Conflict of Technology and Psychology.
(06:13) - Understanding Psychological Targeting.
(08:58) - The Intimacy Economy vs. The Attention Economy.
(11:52) - The Dangers of Data Privacy.
(15:09) - The Impact of Google Searches on Personal Life.
(17:56) - Mass Surveillance and Data Collection.
(20:57) - The Role of Regulation in Data Privacy.
(24:07) - The Algorithmic Accountability.
(26:49) - Synthetic Data and Its Implications.
(30:09) - The Future of AI and Human Creativity.
(33:01) - The Role of Algorithms in Society.
(36:08) - The Importance of Perspective in AI.
(41:59) - The Challenge of Transparency in Algorithms.
(44:46) - Grassroots Movements and Algorithm Accountability.
(47:46) - The Future of AI and Human Interaction.
(51:05) - Conclusion and Reflections on Technology.