Rajesh Veeraraghavan
@rajeshveera.bsky.social
Prof. Georgetown University, Tech and Welfare, ICTD, Critical AI, author: Patching Development.
ex - Microsoft developer, UC Berkeley(Ph.D)
interested in Real Utopias
Tech and social change #sociotechnical, #labortech, #welfare, #AI
www.rajeshveera.org
ex - Microsoft developer, UC Berkeley(Ph.D)
interested in Real Utopias
Tech and social change #sociotechnical, #labortech, #welfare, #AI
www.rajeshveera.org
Pinned
My colleague Cal Newport who argues against social media, and I am mostly sympathetic with his views. However, I confess that for some fields there are benefits in engaging here. I am also here for thoughtful engagement, people interested in thinking aloud, deeply, taking risks and listening.
What if tomorrow’s utopia isn’t as neat as we imagine?
I had the opportunity with Kate Chandler to reflect a bit on the question of
Can We Resist the Appeal of Technological Utopias?
We put our thoughts into a short piece called
"Messy Utopias"
globaldialogues.georgetown.edu/responses/me...
I had the opportunity with Kate Chandler to reflect a bit on the question of
Can We Resist the Appeal of Technological Utopias?
We put our thoughts into a short piece called
"Messy Utopias"
globaldialogues.georgetown.edu/responses/me...
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
June 3, 2025 at 2:22 PM
What if tomorrow’s utopia isn’t as neat as we imagine?
I had the opportunity with Kate Chandler to reflect a bit on the question of
Can We Resist the Appeal of Technological Utopias?
We put our thoughts into a short piece called
"Messy Utopias"
globaldialogues.georgetown.edu/responses/me...
I had the opportunity with Kate Chandler to reflect a bit on the question of
Can We Resist the Appeal of Technological Utopias?
We put our thoughts into a short piece called
"Messy Utopias"
globaldialogues.georgetown.edu/responses/me...
Heart broken. I lost Michael Burawoy, a dear mentor and advisor to a tragic accident! He was the best teacher I have had in my life. His passion for scholarship and solidarity for the marginalized workers is unparalleled in academia. I know many others feel the same...
February 5, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Heart broken. I lost Michael Burawoy, a dear mentor and advisor to a tragic accident! He was the best teacher I have had in my life. His passion for scholarship and solidarity for the marginalized workers is unparalleled in academia. I know many others feel the same...
openthemagazine.com/cover-story/... such brilliant writing and reflections on religion. To confront the binaries of tradition and modernity. Happy Pongal
The Kumbh Quest - Open The Magazine
LIKE THE JERSEY OF A FOOTBALL PLAYER in the last minutes of a hard-fought game, the winter sky outside my window is a patchwork of colours, a witness to some celestial frenzy and scuffle. The blue and...
openthemagazine.com
January 14, 2025 at 12:27 PM
openthemagazine.com/cover-story/... such brilliant writing and reflections on religion. To confront the binaries of tradition and modernity. Happy Pongal
www.programmablemutter.com/p/were-getti... Brilliant piece by @himself.bsky.social
We're getting the social media crisis wrong
The bigger problem isn't disinformation. It's degraded democratic publics
www.programmablemutter.com
January 8, 2025 at 11:13 PM
www.programmablemutter.com/p/were-getti... Brilliant piece by @himself.bsky.social
I agree, there is no confusion here, and we should find ways to work together, across all political and other perceived (and real) differences wherever you are.
You organize with them to make sure we all get the resources we need and form political community together.
Why is this so confusing?
Why is this so confusing?
"low-income Americans who voted for Trump say they are counting on him to keep their benefits intact"
Do you laugh? Cry? Mock? Sympathize? I genuinely don't know.
Do you laugh? Cry? Mock? Sympathize? I genuinely don't know.
December 31, 2024 at 12:08 PM
I agree, there is no confusion here, and we should find ways to work together, across all political and other perceived (and real) differences wherever you are.
Indeed internet is a human designed and maintained interconnected miracle.
When we ask people if the Internet is one network, they usually say yes, of course it is. 1/
December 21, 2024 at 1:17 PM
Indeed internet is a human designed and maintained interconnected miracle.
This should be good. Looking forward.
Today is publication day for the new book - Critical Data Studies. But since my copies are stuck in Holyhead parcel pileup & open access version not yet available on publisher website I'm saving marketing stuff to new year. As a launch day it's a bit of an anti-climax! But it's no longer 'in press'
December 20, 2024 at 3:30 PM
This should be good. Looking forward.
Reposted by Rajesh Veeraraghavan
New, from me:
Bit of a timeline cleanse; how great it can be when government works well - Swiss transportation edition. open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...
Bit of a timeline cleanse; how great it can be when government works well - Swiss transportation edition. open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...
Has Switzerland Built the Best Public Transportation System in the World?
The joy of when governments works
open.substack.com
December 18, 2024 at 2:04 PM
New, from me:
Bit of a timeline cleanse; how great it can be when government works well - Swiss transportation edition. open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...
Bit of a timeline cleanse; how great it can be when government works well - Swiss transportation edition. open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...
interesting question about field research and its ethics on bribery etc @raulpachecovega.bsky.social @emendenhall.bsky.social @grundrza.bsky.social
Folks who are familiar with shadowing and #qualitative data collection: what are best ethical practices, particularly when you may observe illegal activities (e.g. bribe taking or giving)? Are there go-to papers on this?
@ajayverghese.bsky.social #ethnography #sociology #anthropology
@ajayverghese.bsky.social #ethnography #sociology #anthropology
December 18, 2024 at 5:16 PM
interesting question about field research and its ethics on bribery etc @raulpachecovega.bsky.social @emendenhall.bsky.social @grundrza.bsky.social
Reposted by Rajesh Veeraraghavan
Human Rights Watch is Hiring a senior digital rights researcher
Excellent opportunity- new @hrw.org job posting for senior technology and human rights researcher. Please share widely within your networks, we are hoping for as diverse a candidate pool as possible grnh.se/77d735632us
December 16, 2024 at 8:22 AM
Human Rights Watch is Hiring a senior digital rights researcher
ouch :) "Imagine being Jasprit Bumrah when the Indian top-order combusted spontaneously on arrival at the crease. Bumrah must have barely changed and sat in the dressing room when he must have seen his batsmen "implode." #cricket
Border-Gavaskar Trophy: In gloomy Brisbane, it rains (Indian) wickets
On a day that saw eight rain breaks, hosts Australia leave visitors teetering at 51 for 4, trailing by 394 runs in the first innings
indianexpress.com
December 16, 2024 at 1:13 PM
ouch :) "Imagine being Jasprit Bumrah when the Indian top-order combusted spontaneously on arrival at the crease. Bumrah must have barely changed and sat in the dressing room when he must have seen his batsmen "implode." #cricket
Reposted by Rajesh Veeraraghavan
I wrote about the lessons of the 1974 famine - the first and the last such catastrophe in independent Bangladesh. Many thanks to @prothomalo.bsky.social for translating and publishing this on the 50th anniversary of a disaster that killed 1.5 million Bangladeshis. en.prothomalo.com/opinion/op-e...
The lessons of the 1974 famine
People did not talk about the famine because it was deemed acutely politically ‘sensitive’. Sheikh Hasina did not look kindly on the inglorious topic
en.prothomalo.com
December 13, 2024 at 10:38 AM
I wrote about the lessons of the 1974 famine - the first and the last such catastrophe in independent Bangladesh. Many thanks to @prothomalo.bsky.social for translating and publishing this on the 50th anniversary of a disaster that killed 1.5 million Bangladeshis. en.prothomalo.com/opinion/op-e...
Sounds super exciting. I wonder whether you are also tracking economic stuff (wages etc).
Very exciting new project led by @ibalilebali.bsky.social, for which I serve as an advisor 👇
[NEWS]: Website is live. planetaryai.net
Planetary AI is a collaborative project mapping the #value chains of #AI from the Majority World perspective
1st phase examines the value chains of #data #work The 2nd phase will study materiality and environmental cost of AI.
Planetary AI is a collaborative project mapping the #value chains of #AI from the Majority World perspective
1st phase examines the value chains of #data #work The 2nd phase will study materiality and environmental cost of AI.
December 12, 2024 at 8:46 PM
Sounds super exciting. I wonder whether you are also tracking economic stuff (wages etc).
is there any good stats on the wages of the data workers behind AI? (labellers, content moderation ....) #AI #digitalworkers
December 12, 2024 at 3:55 PM
is there any good stats on the wages of the data workers behind AI? (labellers, content moderation ....) #AI #digitalworkers
Global labor tech showcase
🚨EVENT!🚨 LaborTech's End-of-Year Showcase!
**Happening Thurs, Dec 12-Fri, Dec 13**
Come for discussions on how to organize, research, & teach around labor + tech issues, with spotlights on South Asia and Latin America!
For more info/to RSVP: bit.ly/4fIoBE2
**Happening Thurs, Dec 12-Fri, Dec 13**
Come for discussions on how to organize, research, & teach around labor + tech issues, with spotlights on South Asia and Latin America!
For more info/to RSVP: bit.ly/4fIoBE2
LaborTech End-Of-Year Showcase Announcement
*End-Of-Year Showcase* Labor Tech Research Network Come join LaborTech’s virtual End of Year Showcase December 12-13! Help celebrate the work our members have done this year, and the beautiful diver...
bit.ly
December 12, 2024 at 12:12 AM
Global labor tech showcase
Lots to think about here. This offers ways to think about public interest AI by Trooper Sanders www.techpolicy.press/the-three-le...
The Three Levels of Public Interest AI | TechPolicy.Press
Trooper Sanders writes that concern about AI’s risks is bipartisan, even if there are differences over priorities and solutions.
www.techpolicy.press
December 11, 2024 at 10:20 PM
Lots to think about here. This offers ways to think about public interest AI by Trooper Sanders www.techpolicy.press/the-three-le...
Ha... Also with a geopolitical twist 🙂
Good summary of OpenAI, Anthropic and xAI
Son!
Bonus panel here: smbc-comics.com/comic/god-4
Bonus panel here: smbc-comics.com/comic/god-4
December 11, 2024 at 9:48 PM
Ha... Also with a geopolitical twist 🙂
Re-read @leev.bsky.social's fantastic piece on crit-hype. I wonder about the boundaries—am I spared, considering my turn to look at AI in teaching and scholarship? Maybe he’s asking for empirical grounding: real harms, may I add, normatively positive possibilities—grounded in evidence, not hype.
December 11, 2024 at 1:31 PM
Re-read @leev.bsky.social's fantastic piece on crit-hype. I wonder about the boundaries—am I spared, considering my turn to look at AI in teaching and scholarship? Maybe he’s asking for empirical grounding: real harms, may I add, normatively positive possibilities—grounded in evidence, not hype.
Reposted by Rajesh Veeraraghavan
It’s incredible to me how quickly the cricket world transitioned from “a woman in the commentary box?! Are you insane?!” to “gee it’s a bit weird having 3 dudes commentating, isn’t it?”
Suggests it was probably well overdue, but it’s also heartwarming how quickly fans embraced it. #ausvind
Suggests it was probably well overdue, but it’s also heartwarming how quickly fans embraced it. #ausvind
December 8, 2024 at 12:16 AM
It’s incredible to me how quickly the cricket world transitioned from “a woman in the commentary box?! Are you insane?!” to “gee it’s a bit weird having 3 dudes commentating, isn’t it?”
Suggests it was probably well overdue, but it’s also heartwarming how quickly fans embraced it. #ausvind
Suggests it was probably well overdue, but it’s also heartwarming how quickly fans embraced it. #ausvind
My colleague Cal Newport who argues against social media, and I am mostly sympathetic with his views. However, I confess that for some fields there are benefits in engaging here. I am also here for thoughtful engagement, people interested in thinking aloud, deeply, taking risks and listening.
December 7, 2024 at 5:56 PM
My colleague Cal Newport who argues against social media, and I am mostly sympathetic with his views. However, I confess that for some fields there are benefits in engaging here. I am also here for thoughtful engagement, people interested in thinking aloud, deeply, taking risks and listening.
It is funny how it's easy to spot unshakable certainty in others' views while excusing the same in ourselves. Convictions feel solid, particularly on others, but shouldn’t we leave room for updating our "priors" ( that pompous word 🙂)
December 7, 2024 at 5:23 PM
It is funny how it's easy to spot unshakable certainty in others' views while excusing the same in ourselves. Convictions feel solid, particularly on others, but shouldn’t we leave room for updating our "priors" ( that pompous word 🙂)
@al2.bsky.social eloquently reframes AI as a political artifact, shifting focus from technical details to outcomes that everyone can critique or resist. It’s a democratizing move that invites experts and activists and citizens to confront harmful systems without a techno-essentialism. (1/2)
December 7, 2024 at 4:05 PM
@al2.bsky.social eloquently reframes AI as a political artifact, shifting focus from technical details to outcomes that everyone can critique or resist. It’s a democratizing move that invites experts and activists and citizens to confront harmful systems without a techno-essentialism. (1/2)
This is the most hopeful point. Yes indeed this critical realism is what needs more attention.
Meanwhile, examples of “good AI” stuff includes Indigenous language models. Many would consider that a “critical tech” product, because the engineers are deliberately circumventing typical tech ethics to get it done on their own terms.
December 6, 2024 at 7:05 PM
This is the most hopeful point. Yes indeed this critical realism is what needs more attention.
Indeed this is dope :) and a cool resource. I am going to try this out soon.
This is dope. ♥️
What is your favorite critical technology quote?
We have a list of quotes from Thoreau to MLK to Douglas Adams to Safiya Noble. Educators can use the activity to help students start thinking more critically about technology: www.civicsoftechnology.org/technology-q...
What quotes should we add?
We have a list of quotes from Thoreau to MLK to Douglas Adams to Safiya Noble. Educators can use the activity to help students start thinking more critically about technology: www.civicsoftechnology.org/technology-q...
What quotes should we add?
December 6, 2024 at 6:17 PM
Indeed this is dope :) and a cool resource. I am going to try this out soon.