The Tech Shock Podcast – Sam Gilbert
In episode 3 of this season’s Tech Shock Podcast, Vicki and Geraldine are joined by Sam Gilbert, who, after previously speaking to Parent Zone about surveillance capitalism, returns to Tech Shock.
Sam is a research associate at the University of Cambridge’s Bennett Institute, author of a recent paper on web 3.0, cryptocurrency (or ‘crypto’), and the metaverse, and is co-author of a new paper on the Online Safety Bill (‘OSB’) – all topics of this episode.
Vicki starts by asking Sam to unpack crypto, something which many find a confusing and polarising subject. Sam (deftly skirting prompts for investment advice) goes on to explain the origins of alternative currencies, and how crypto was first theorised in the 1970s as a way of rallying against financial institutions and authoritarian states.
Sam goes on to add that the first actual cryptocurrency emerged in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, when like-minded libertarians were disgruntled at government bailouts. He quickly adds – after Geraldine mentions crypto scams – that the more noble, libertarian aims behind alternative currencies aren’t (at present) shared by all.
The technical requirements of crypto investment aren’t as demanding now either. By using third-party apps it’s possible for everyone to invest in crypto – the entry barriers, Sam believes, are far lower.
After touching upon the environmental issue of ‘mining’ crypto, discussion shifts to ‘non-fungible tokens’ (‘NFTs’) digital certificates of ownership for physical and virtual goods alike.
Sam notes that many advocates for NFTs come from the gaming industry – if you ‘own’ an accessory in Fortnite, why shouldn’t you be able to use it in Roblox? Similarly, why should games developers be able – in theory – to confiscate digital goods?
NFTs, and their irremovable storage on ‘blockchains’ – a way of permanently storing digital assets – are a legal and technical solution to these ownership questions. Vicki asks about the safety implications of blockchains, and Sam notes that they can be seriously problematic when they make files containing ‘revenge porn’ or child sexual abuse images essentially irremovable.
This turns discussion onto the notion that the OSB is only focused on harms existing today, rather than the tech developments (and dangers) of the near future. As Vicki later says, the Bill “has been written for an internet that is already out of date”.
Sam also believes that gaming-related financial harms (a topic dropped from the OSB) aren’t understood by policymakers because they are a fundamentally different demographic to young gamers. Although supportive of the OSB, he thinks that platforms like Roblox are definitely missing from the conversation.
Next week Vicki and Geraldine break down the recent goings-on at Parent Zone's Digital Families conference 2022. They'll be chatting about some of their personal highlights and key takeaways, and summarising some of the excellent talks and presentations featured throughout the day.