In conversation on “framers” and diversity

The Salzburg Global Seminar recently organized a conversation between journalist and writer Pallavi Aiyar and professor Mayer-Schönberger on the importance of diversity, especially in light of the argument put forward by professor Mayer-Schönberger and his co-authors in their recent book “framers”. The conversation is now available on YouTube to watch here.

“Fuori I dati” reviewed by major Italian newspapers

“Fuori I Dati”, a book about the future of Europe in the age of digital platforms and what to do about it, co-authored by professor Mayer-Schönberger, and published by Egea in Italian, has been reviewed by the innovation section of the “Courier dells Sera”, and by the economics section of “La Repubblica”.

Discussion on “framers”

Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center has published a video of the discussion between professor Mayer-Schönberger, professor Malavika Jayaram, Sabelo Mhlambi, and professor Urs Gasser on “framers”, the new book by professor Mayer-Schönberger (co-authored by Kenneth Cukier and Francis de Vericourt). It is available on Youtube – and here is a link to more info.

New book in Italian

A new book on the importance of access to data and information co-authored by Thomas Ramge and professor Mayer-Schönberger has been published in Italian by EGEA, the publishing house of Italian University Bocconi. Titled “Fuori I Dati!”, it is based on “Machtmaschinen” published in German in late 2020, and focuses on the tremendous concentration of informational power in the hands of a few very large digital companies, and how this not only stifles competition but kills innovation and deprives society of our data dividend. The answer isn’t to break up Big Tech, but to force them to let others access their data.

“framers” – Interview with Professor Mayer-Schönberger

The Los Angeles Review of Books published its extensive interview with professor Mayer-Schönberger on “framers“, the recent book he co-authored, and on the human power of mental models – and why framing as an incremental process of eliciting alternative decision options is a far more promising strategy for success compared with a radical reframing of the situation we find ourselves in. It also touches on the importance of cognitive pluralism, for individuals, but more importantly for society – highlighting Hannah Arendt’s call for multiple standpoints rather than a “single frame of truth”.

Lots of press for “framers”

Lots of digital outlets continue to report on, review, and talk about “framers”, the new book co-authored by professor Mayer-Schönberger. Here is a small selection for those who want to tune in: Martin Reeves talks with Kenneth Cukier and Francis de Vericourt on the BCG Henderson Institute podcast, both also talk on the “How to Fix It?” podcast, Scott Galloway talks with Kenneth Cukier on his “Prof G Show”, Tim Harford engages with Kenneth Cukier on the HowTo Academy, and Kenneth Cukier ist talking about “framers” on KeenOn.

New Book – “framers” released!

“framers” is the new book, co-authored by professor Mayer-Schönberger together with decision scientist Francis de Véricourt and ECONOMIST senior editor Kenneth Cukier. Published in the US on May 11, 2021, “framers” is the culmination of three years of work. In “framers”, professor Mayer-Schönberger and his co-authors focus on a cognitive superpower humans posses, but which is often underutilized: to think using mental models. In contrast to many commentators on the findings of behavioral economists, “framers” suggests that utilizing framing, humans can greatly improve their decision-making – individually and societally.

“framers” features countless examples of human framing, from innovators and scientists, like Elon Musk and Jennifer Doudna, to artists like Martha Graham and will.i.am, activists like Alyssa Milano and athletes like Mount Everest mountaineers Peter Habeler and Reinhold Messner. “framers” also includes numerous rarely told stories, from how physicist Lise Meitner was the first to understood nuclear fission (and coin the phrase), but was denied the Nobel prize 48 times (likely because of rampant misogynism) to how research on global warming relies on imagining a world without humans, from how computers can self-learn to win chess, Go, and popular video games, but crucially depend on mental models, and how developing and maintaining a repertoire of cognitive frames is crucial for our survival.

“framers” has been endorsed by a wide spectrum of voices, including entrepreneurs like Salesforce’s Mark Benioff and Box’s Arron Levie as well as DeepMind cofounder Mustafa Suleyman and professional poker player Annie Duke.

Europa und die Wichtigkeit von “Datennutz”

In einem ausführlichen Interview mit der Wirtschaftliche erklärt Professor Mayer-Schönberger warum die ersten Datenschutzgesetze ungleiche Informationsmacht ausglichen, die DSGVO aber nicht – und warum es in Europa deshalb dringend auch eine “Datennutz-Grundverordnung” braucht. Er bezieht sich dabei auf sein neuestes Buch “Machtmaschinen” (gemeinsam mit Thomas Ramge).

“Schumpeters Albtraum” – Kommentar in der Wiener Zeitung

Die Wiener Zeitung veröffentlichte einen Kommentar von Professor Mayer-Schönberger und Thomas Ramge zur digital Souvernität Europas – und warum diese ursächlich mit einem breiteren Zugang zu Informationen zusammenhängt. Der Kommentar basiert auf “Machtmaschinen”, dem neuesten Buch von Professor Mayer-Schönberger und Thomas Ramge.

Handelsblatt Disrupt Podcast zu “Machtmaschinen”

Im neuen “Disrupt” Podcast des Handelsblattes mit Sebastian Matthes spricht Professor Mayer-Schönberger ausführlich über sein neues Buch “Machtmaschinen” (gemeinsam mit Thomas Ramge), und erläutert warum Innovation Wettbewerb braucht und ein freierer Zugang zu Daten und Informationen eine gesellschaftliche Investition in kluge Ideen ist.

“Machtmaschinen” bei Morning Briefing mit Gabor Steingart

Nach dem Erscheinen von “Machtmaschinen”, dem neuen Buch von Professor Mayer-Schönberger (gemeinsam mit Thomas Ramge), sprach Gabor Steinhart in seinem Podcast “Morning Briefing” mit Professor Mayer-Schönberger zu den wirtschaftlichen Mechanismen datengetriebener Innovation, der Notwendigkeit eines breiteren Zugangs zu Daten als wirtschaftspolitische Konsequenz und der Wichtigkeit die amerikanischen Digitalmonopolisten in Schranken zu weisen.

Zebras & Unicorns Podcast zu “Machtmaschinen”

Der beliebte “Zebras & Unicorns” Podcast auf der Plattform Trending Topics brachte ein ausführliches Interview mit Professor Mayer-Schönberger zu seinem neuen Buch “Machtmaschinen” (gemeinsam mit Thomas Ramge). Ein besonderer Fokus lag auf die Rolle Schumpeters radikaler Innovation, und warum immer stärker Daten eine zentrale Resource dieser Innovationsfähigkeit sind.

Neues Buch: “Machtmaschinen”

Heute erscheint Professor Mayer-Schönbergers neuestes Buch “Machtmaschinen”. Verfasst gemeinsam mit Thomas Range erklärt “Machtmaschinen” wieso Informationsmacht heute auf so wenige Unternehmen konzentriert ist, warum dies für Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft brandgefährlich ist, und was wir dagegen tun können. Das Buch ist im Murmann Verlag erschienen und neben dem Buchhandel auch direkt beim Verlag erhältlich.

“The Blinking Eye”

Responding to a call from renowned architect and MIT professor Carlo Ratti from the Biennale in Shenzhen, Professor Mayer-Schönberger teamed up with Heinz Machat to write a paper on deliberate digital emptiness in urban areas. The paper was selected for the Biennale. It never made it, however, because the Chinese authorities decided to censor some of the selected papers and in response the Biennale organizers decided to withdraw all papers from the Biennale. Instead they got published online on Archdaily here.