#4 The foundations of humane technology: Centering Values

I’m taking at my pace the free online course “Foundations of humane technology” by the Center for Humane Technology (whom I had heard of after watching the excellent documentary “The Social Dilemma”.) These are my notes.


  1. Module 1 – setting the stage
  2. Module 2 – respecting human nature
  3. Module 3 – minimizing harmful consequences
  4. Module 4 – centering values
  5. Module 5 – creating shared understanding
  6. Module 6 – supporting fairness & justice
  7. Module 7 – helping people thrive
  8. Module 8 – ready to act

The myth of “neutral” tech

“Systemic fragility will persist as long as it is culturally and legally justifiable.”

Center for Humane Technology

Claiming that technology is “neutral” is the most common justification for its harms, and that whether it’s good or bad depends on how people use it. This is abdicating responsibility. Technology is not, and can not ever, be neutral.

Example: In social media (e.g., YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, etc.) there is no neutral way to personalize how someone receives information, because of design choices made when developing algorithms.

The goal of humane technologist is to seek alignment (not neutrality, since it cannot exist). Alignment is being in service to the values of the users, the stakeholders, the broader community, etc. Humane technologists align the products they design with their mission statement, and endeavour for “stated” values and “demonstrated values” to match.

🤔 Personal reflection: The conditions that shaped my present

Pause to consider the conditions and people that have shaped you and your reality, such as where you were born, if it was a safe and healthy environment, who taught you to read and write, who helped you to become a technologist, which technologies were most influential in your life growing up.

I mentioned in a previous post about a previous module of the course, that I have been fortunate with regard to where and when I was born, and am aware of my white-and-wealthy privilege. And grateful. From my upbringing and education to the paths I chose, I have been either lucky or informed about the unconscious and conscious choices I made, the people I met. I see this as a virtuous circle feeding virtue back along the way. Good begets good.

I’m not a technologist myself but I have been working in tech now precisely half my life. The kind of tech that begets more tech: web standardization. We seek to develop technology with the most benefits to humanity and the least friction and harms.

Metrics are not neutral either

Metrics drive decision-making in product development but also consumption of a product. They offer a partial and biased sense of things, though and it’s important to remember externalities. For example:

  • Time on site / engagement may lead to addiction, loneliness, polarization
  • Attention-grabbing clickbait may lead to a shift in values, the rise of extremism, or a race to grab the most attention and the loss of sight of simpler yet more meaningful matters
  • Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning systems may self-reinforce feedback loops, exploit vulnerabilities amplify bias

Be metrics-informed but values-driven.

🤔 Personal reflection: Identifying gaps in metrics

Metrics are efficient, and efficiency might make decisions easier and products more profitable. But what if that increased efficiency decreases a human capacity worth protecting?

Perhaps one way to avoid/mitigate unintended harms or to bring reducing harms as a goal, would be to rely on enough metrics –not too few and not too many– (so as to widen the pool of trends to consider), and to include as part of the measured elements one or more that derive directly from the product stated values (as as to balance things more towards values).

Harnessing values

  • We turn what we like in the world/society into values
  • Our values shape our work/products
  • Our work/products shape the world/society

🤔 Personal reflection: Understanding values

Consider the life experiences which have shaped the values you hold. What are those experiences, and which values did they shape?

Justice, fairness and equity is probably the group of values that I’ve held the longest, because my parents based all of their parenting on those and that has had a durable impact on their children: my twin brother and me. Altruism is probably the value I adopted next, as a result of volunteering at the French Red Cross, which was NOT motivated by altruism at all: I was convinced by my brother to accompany him because he didn’t want to take a first-aid course alone, and he was motivated by the prospect of adding something positive to his first resume. But we received enough and more in useful teachings, sense of worth, friendships, experiences etc., that we both joined and committed for years into adulthood. Aspiring to make a difference is a value I picked up at work, being surrounded by so many people (internally and externally in close circles) who do make a difference, that it’s inspiring. Finally, I want to highlight integrity as a value that appeared when I started parenting myself and has grown with my child because it’s fundamental to upbringing.

How has your personal history and the values that arise from it shaped the unique way you build products? (If you don’t build products, consider how they’ve informed your career and/or engagement with technology.)

I’m not sure. It may be the other way around where the strict organizational value-based process to designing web standards has shaped how I engage with technology and the care I give to approach any endeavor.

Once your product is out in the world, it will have unintended consequences and will be shaped by values other than your own. How might your product be used in ways that conflict with your own values? (If you don’t build products, think about something else you’ve previously built, organized, or supported.)

[I don’t have any experience to illustrate this aspect of understanding values]

Genuine trustworthiness

Genuine trustworthiness provides a path where success is defined by values, not markets; by a culture of values alignment; where stakeholders are partners rather than adversaries. Key factors of trustworthiness are:

  • Integrity (intentions/motivations are aligned with stated values)
  • Competency (ability to accomplish stated goals)
  • Accountability (fulfilling integrity and competency directly supports your stakeholders)
  • Education (a result of your work over time is the reduction of the asymmetries of power and knowledge)
Badge earned: Center on values

#Inktober2023 week 3

inktober2023 prompt list

It’s the 8th year in a row I’m participating in Inktober. The rules are simple: A different prompt every day. Use ink. Enjoy. Learn new techniques, or not.

Some choose to not use the prompt list, or create their own, or follow a different list. I prefer to stick to those proposed by Inktober creator Jake Parker, because I find it easier, even though some prompts are less inspiring than others!

Day 15: “dagger”

Black and grey ink drawing of a hooded crouching character carrying a dagger

My least favourite thus far. This is Ezio from the video game Assassin’s Creed. It looked much better in the pencil sketch I did before applying the ink. I used a light grey Kuretake BrushWriter, a Sakura micron 003 black pen and Pentel black ink Brushpen.

Day 16: “angel”

Grey ink drawing of a two robed and crowned characters standing on clouds and looking through an opening in more clouds at a series of angels climbing down what look like long stairs

Another tribute to Moebius. This is a reproduction of one of his illustrations of Dante’s paradise. I used the Sakura Micron 003 black fineliner and the Kuretake light grey BrushWriter.

Day 17: “demon”

Grey ink drawing of a crowned muscular armored male-looking character seen from behind, standing on a cloud and carrying a sheathed sword, with the left arm raised seemingly casting a spell on two people on the cloud opposite: a standing madonna holding a child and a seated robed and crowned man.

Another tribute to Moebius. This is a reproduction of another of his illustrations of Dante’s paradise. I used the Sakura Micron 003 black fineliner and the Kuretake light grey BrushWriter.

Day 18: “saddle”

Black ink drawing of a caped character wearing a helmet and riding a giant pelican that flies low on a deserted area with a spacecraft wreck.

Third tribute to Moebius in a row! Again I used the micron 003 black fineliner, Kuretake light grey BrushWriter, and a water brush pen to lighten further the light grey ink.

Day 19: “plump”

Black and grey ink drawing of a plump Japanese woman in traditional attire seen from behind as she walks out of a shrine under a giant paper lantern and is headed toward a crowd of people carrying umbrellas

Ukiyo-e vibes! I used again the same light grey Kuretake BrushWriter, a Sakura micron 003 black fineliner, and Pentel grey ink Brushpen. For the highlights I used a white ink Kuretake brushwriter but it turned the grey ink into an unexpected bluish hue.

Day 20: “frost”

Black ink drawing of two rows of trees and snow

Two rows of frozen trees on the side of a snowy road. I used the Sakura Micron 003 black fineliner.

Day 21: “chains”

Grey ink drawing of chain links

Chain links. I used my Kuretake light grey BrushWriter and water brush pen for the gradient of the background and some areas of the links, and the grey and black Pentel Brushpens for the links.



(See the posts for week 1, week 2, week 4-5)

#Inktober2023 week 2

inktober2023 prompt list

It’s the 8th year in a row I’m participating in Inktober. The rules are simple: A different prompt every day. Use ink. Enjoy. Learn new techniques, or not.

Some choose to not use the prompt list, or create their own, or follow a different list. I prefer to stick to those proposed by Inktober creator Jake Parker, because I find it easier, even though some prompts are less inspiring than others!

Day 8: “toad”

Night scene of a toad emerging next to carnations and a black ball

This is after a photo I took. The medium-sized toad is one of the two that I am aware live in my garden. I used a light grey Kuretake BrushWriter, a Sakura micron 003 black pen and Pentel black ink Brushpen.

Day 9: “bounce”

Black and grey ink drawing of a girl bouncing a basketball

Young girl playing basketball. I used only the Sakura Micron 003 black fineliner and the Kuretake light grey BrushWriter.

Day 10: “fortune”

Black and grey ink drawing of a cup of team and fortune cookie split in two. The fortune reads: you will make a name for yourself in the field of entertainment.

This is after a photo I took in a restaurant in California. The fortune promises that I’ll make a name for myself in the field of entertainment. It hasn’t come true but I haven’t tried very hard. I used the black micron 003 fineliner for the text, and for the rest the Kuretake BrushWriter in light grey ink, and the black Pentel Brushpen.

Day 11: “wander”

Black and grey drawing of a person with long hair and a coat, seen from behind, standing in a snowy forest, looking at the foggy nothing at the end of the path.

Gloomy forest scene where a young woman stands on a path, looking at a lighter hazy spot on the horizon. Again I used the micron 003 black fineliner, Kuretake light grey BrushWriter, and black Pentel Brushpen.

Day 12: “spicy”

Black and grey ink drawing of a handful of peppers on a wooden table

Hot peppers on a wooden table. I used once more the same light grey Kuretake BrushWriter, a Sakura micron 003 black pen and Pentel black ink Brushpen. For the highlights I used a white acrylic paint marker.

Day 13: “rise”

Black ink drawing of a character dressed in black flying upwards as geometric elements in the background suggest explosions.

Tribute to Moebius. I used the Sakura Micron 003 black fineliner and black ink Pentel Brushpen.

Day 14: “castle”

Grey ink drawing of a castle on a small island and its reflection in a lake on a grey cloudy day

Eilean Donan Castle in the Scottish Highlands. My favourite castle on earth. I discovered it when I lived in Scotland as a student. I used the Sakura Micron 003 black fineliner, Kuretake light grey BrushWriter, and black Pentel Brushpen. Ah and a water brush as well, to get lighter and more diffuse light grey.


(See the posts for week 1, week 3, week 4-5)

#Inktober2023 week 1

inktober2023 prompt list

It’s the 8th year in a row I’m participating in Inktober. The rules are simple: A different prompt every day. Use ink. Enjoy. Learn new techniques, or not.

Some choose to not use the prompt list, or create their own, or follow a different list. I prefer to stick to those proposed by Inktober creator Jake Parker, because I find it easier, even though some prompts are less inspiring than others!

Day 1: “dream”

Black ink drawing of a dream catcher against a grey background

A dream catcher. I used my beloved light grey Kuretake BrushWriter because if I’m fast enough to beat the air or warmth and the ink is still wet enough, there are very few layer marks. The grey is also beautiful. I also used a micron 003 black pen and Pentel black ink Brushpen for the fine feathers.

Day 2: “spider(s)”

Black and grey ink drawing of the “Maman” sculpture by Louise Bourgeois which is a giant metallic spider. Someone is standing up under it and someone else is crouching to take a picture.

This is after a photo I took in Bilbao: the “Maman” sculpture by Louise Bourgeois, near the Guggenheim museum. Micron 003, light grey BrushWriter, black Pentel Brushpen.

Day 3: “path”

Black and grey ink drawing of a character seen from behind, wearing a helmet and carrying a long staff whose top is shining. The man climbs up a ridge from which a cluster of tall crystals are visible. The sky is clear, dark and starry.

Moebius-inspired drawing. I used the black micron 003 fineliner, and three Kuretake BrushWriters: light grey, white and grey. The latter turned out to be too blue-indigo for a grey. The way the ink behaves is also different between the light grey and the grey, so I will not mix them anymore.

Day 4: “dodge”

Black ink drawing of a sports car

The prompt didn’t inspire my very much. I love the look of the Dodge Viper, though. Again I used the micron 003 black fineliner, Kuretake light grey & grey BrushWriters, as well as a staedtler black 0.3-2.0 mm pen for thin to thicker lines.

Day 5: “map”

Black outline of Antarctica and a compass all showing the north

This is after a funny meme from “Terrible Maps”: a map of Antarctica showing “south” near the middle and “north” everywhere else. The compass too shows the north everywhere. I used a black Kuretake fudegocochi pen, which sometimes drips black drops (but didn’t this time) because I can achieve some thicker lines depending on how I tilt the pen.

Day 6: “golden”

Black ink drawing of a Japanese woman in traditional outfit and hair style. A large golden circle is around her head.

Based on a doodle I made a fee years ago to test a black brushpen (but less well done, *sigh*) I used a Pentel black ink Brushpen, and gold paint from Pebeo moon fantasy, which creates some hammered effect (except the paint wasn’t thin enough and the effect isn’t obvious).

Day 7: “drip”

Black and golden ink simple outline of a drip and golden drop

The drawing I spent the least time on (maybe ever): a stylized medical drip filled with golden content and a big golden drop at the end of the tube. I used the Staedtler 0.3-2.0 mm black pen, and a gold metallic felt tip pen from Stabilo.


(See the posts for week 2, week 3, week 4-5)