60 Minutes viewers object to the idea of "brain hacking"
On Sunday, Anderson Cooper reported on some of the ways Silicon Valley insiders are hooking users on technology via apps and other software. Former Google product manager Tristan Harris said designers aren’t just programming for consumers, they’re actually programming consumers.
Many viewers were struck by what they felt was Silicon Valley’s willingness to manipulate the bottom of the brain stem in order to bolster the bottom line.
Taking greed to a whole new level https://t.co/eNdCa5rRUc
— Patrick Egan (@TheDroneDealer) April 10, 2017
#edtech designers, we're on to you. Keep kids (and ethics) at the center, not on your gravy train. https://t.co/G6dbDEJZTe
— Miss Tori, M. Ed (@tori_mazur) April 11, 2017
Others said the broadcast confirmed previous hunches about brain hacking, helping them to understand why they’re spending an average of five hours a day on their phones.
This @60Minutes story confirms what I've believed for awhile: Smartphones are messing with our minds. It's why I turn mine off after 6PM. https://t.co/ZTJhO8d0Jx
— Jason Rosenbaum (@jrosenbaum) April 10, 2017
Thank you @60Minutes @andersoncooper for highlighting tech's growing #addictionbydesign. Not unlike 90s #bigtobacco. @AIGAdesign #ethics https://t.co/ohriG0j7K3
— Ardel David (@ardeldavid) April 10, 2017
I can empathize with @andersoncooper. I used to feel the same way. @60Minutes: Hooked on phones https://t.co/IWx2gURquN
— Chris Yandle (@ChrisYandle) April 10, 2017
What Beliefs/ #emotionalpain are we unknowingly taking on? We are responsible for Guarding our own minds and hearts. #PTSD #emotionaltrauma https://t.co/bXJ75Vikhp
— Randolph 🇺🇸 (@RandolphAdair1) April 10, 2017
Former Google product manager Tristan Harris says developers aren’t just writing code for games and apps, they’re programming people.
@60Minutes story on programming apps vs brains should be should be shared, studied, and used for good by educators.
— JRMcCain (@Jlrutty17) April 10, 2017
But not everyone who chimed in found the report complete or on point.
What I found missing from this story was perspective around personal responsibility to turn devices off. @andersoncooper https://t.co/L6APJ7XF5t
— Jeff Hasen (@jeffhasen) April 10, 2017
@60Minutes Like it's all Tech's fault, helpless humans. What a BS piece, suited to National Enquire. Disgruntled resentful employs n conspiracy theory
— Scott Wade (@sc0ttwad3) April 10, 2017
And a few members of the broadcast’s audience felt compelled to make some confessions.
I admit I was on my phone during this. https://t.co/OSPty3jvz0
— Natalie Wagner (@nataliewagner) April 10, 2017
So, point of this rant at 7:29am on a Monday is that, instead of falling back to sleep, I couldn't wait to check my phone! @60Minutes 🤦🏼♀️
— Kate Louise (@mskatekilloran) April 10, 2017
Sunday’s broadcast also included a story on Hamdi Ulukaya, the Turkish immigrant who founded Chobani, and built the yogurt company into a multibillion dollar U.S. business. Viewers were struck by Ulukaya’s generosity of spirit with his employees--70 percent of whom are American-born and 30 percent immigrants or refugees.
@hamdiulukaya I was moved by your story on @60Minutes! Thank you for your philanthropy and humanity sir! You lead by example!
— Delal Pektas (@delalpektas) April 10, 2017
Good piece on Ulukaya. This is what makes America gr8 - we're a melting pot nation. He didn't hire only refugees but local people as well. https://t.co/AgwCaGjk9y
— Syl Fowler (@SylFowler) April 10, 2017
@thehill @60Minutes Captured the essence of a trailblazer who capitalized on a "created opportunity" to realize his dream! Hamdi Ulukaya An immigrant
— Karen G. Ewing (@rhemagirl3) April 10, 2017
An inspiring immigrant story from @60Minutes. I'm going to buy more #Chobani yogurt. https://t.co/mjMhFfWI5s
— Carl R. Tannenbaum (@NT_CTannenbaum) April 10, 2017
@thehill Very sad that a business owner has to "defend" the hiring of refugees! Watched the @60Minutes interview....we need more leaders like this!
— Janeen Axtell (@jaxtell123) April 10, 2017
Shed a tear or two hearing @hamdiulukaya speak. That year--2007 & 2008 saw so many of us struggle to survive. He was literally saving lives. https://t.co/JsgsZeUmdX
— KyleTaylorLucas (@KyleTaylorLucas) April 10, 2017