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It might seem strange to include two books that are fairly pessimistic about the potential for designers and technologists to make the world better. Both books give a clear-eyed view of what’s often done wrong in “tech for good.” It might be a bit counter-intuitive but I was partly inspired by both to start Hard Problems with Elyce Cole this year.

What Design Can’t Do

Silvio Lorusso’s excellent book: “Design is broken. Young and not-so-young designers are becoming increasingly aware of this. Many feel impotent: they were told they had the tools to make the world a better place, but instead the world takes its toll on them.“

www.setmargins.press/books/what-design-cant-do

Geek Heresy: Rescuing Social Change from the Cult of Technology

After a decade designing technologies meant to address education, health, and global poverty, award-winning computer scientist Kentaro Toyama came to a difficult conclusion: Even in an age of amazing technology, social progress depends on human changes that gadgets can't deliver.

www.amazon.com/Geek-Heresy-Rescuing-Social-Technology/dp/161039528X

Jobs

We try to include at least a few interesting roles each week.

Senior Advisor - Digital Transformation & AI

The Tony Blair Institute is developing a global team of advisors on data & AI to join their team of central experts on government innovation. (United Kingdom)

tbinstitute.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/TBI/details/Senior-Advisor---Data---AI_JR001081?mc_cid=8168409fd2

CARE: Director of Digital Inclusion

The Director is responsible for shaping and stewarding CARE’s digital inclusion strategy to impact 10 million people by 2030. (Washington DC, USA)

phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=CAREUSA&cws=52&rid=7541&mc_cid=8168409fd2

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