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[S03E01] Beyond Conversion Rates: The Ethics and Hidden Costs of Optimization with Maren Costa

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Manage episode 467256926 series 3595635
Content provided by Slobodan (Sani) Manić. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Slobodan (Sani) Manić or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

In this powerful season three premiere, I sit down with Maren Costa, featured in Netflix's "Buy Now" documentary and former Amazon UX designer turned climate justice advocate.

Maren shares her 15-year journey at Amazon, from the early days of helping build a user-friendly e-commerce site to her awakening about the hidden environmental and human costs of our digital convenience. She reveals how she co-founded Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, which successfully pressured the company to adopt climate initiatives – and ultimately led to her controversial firing.

We dive into eye-opening discussions about:

  • The concentration of power in big tech and the "tech broligarchs"
  • How features like one-click purchasing and Amazon Prime have transformed from convenience to climate concern
  • The truth behind seemingly benevolent programs like Amazon Smile
  • Why tech workers should recognize their collective power

Maren makes a compelling case for why we all need to get "radically" engaged in creating change, emphasizing that it takes just 3.5% of a population to create meaningful transformation. Her message is clear: the time for individual action is over – we need collective power to address the urgent challenges facing our world.

[00:00] Introduction to No Hacks Season Three
[00:43] Maren Costa's Life Post-Documentary
[02:12] Journey at Amazon
[05:20] The Rise of Big Tech Oligarchs
[10:20] Amazon Employees for Climate Justice
[13:54] Power Dynamics and Employee Activism
[17:46] Global Protests and Collective Action
[19:49] Consumerism and Environmental Impact
[20:27] Amazon's Strategy to Bypass Google
[22:31] The Impact of One-Click Purchases
[25:03] Prime and the Environmental Cost
[28:26] The Ethical Dilemma of AI
[32:06] Rapid Fire Questions
[39:41] Call to Action for Tech Workers

---
If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!
No Hacks website
YouTube
LinkedIn
Instagram

  continue reading

206 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 467256926 series 3595635
Content provided by Slobodan (Sani) Manić. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Slobodan (Sani) Manić or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

In this powerful season three premiere, I sit down with Maren Costa, featured in Netflix's "Buy Now" documentary and former Amazon UX designer turned climate justice advocate.

Maren shares her 15-year journey at Amazon, from the early days of helping build a user-friendly e-commerce site to her awakening about the hidden environmental and human costs of our digital convenience. She reveals how she co-founded Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, which successfully pressured the company to adopt climate initiatives – and ultimately led to her controversial firing.

We dive into eye-opening discussions about:

  • The concentration of power in big tech and the "tech broligarchs"
  • How features like one-click purchasing and Amazon Prime have transformed from convenience to climate concern
  • The truth behind seemingly benevolent programs like Amazon Smile
  • Why tech workers should recognize their collective power

Maren makes a compelling case for why we all need to get "radically" engaged in creating change, emphasizing that it takes just 3.5% of a population to create meaningful transformation. Her message is clear: the time for individual action is over – we need collective power to address the urgent challenges facing our world.

[00:00] Introduction to No Hacks Season Three
[00:43] Maren Costa's Life Post-Documentary
[02:12] Journey at Amazon
[05:20] The Rise of Big Tech Oligarchs
[10:20] Amazon Employees for Climate Justice
[13:54] Power Dynamics and Employee Activism
[17:46] Global Protests and Collective Action
[19:49] Consumerism and Environmental Impact
[20:27] Amazon's Strategy to Bypass Google
[22:31] The Impact of One-Click Purchases
[25:03] Prime and the Environmental Cost
[28:26] The Ethical Dilemma of AI
[32:06] Rapid Fire Questions
[39:41] Call to Action for Tech Workers

---
If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!
No Hacks website
YouTube
LinkedIn
Instagram

  continue reading

206 episodes

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