# Kumail Nanjiani's Reflections on Ethics in Tech

```{figure} kumail.png
---
name: kumail_photo
width: 200px
alt: Photo of Kumail Nanjiani
---
[Photo of Kumail Nanjiani](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kumail_Nanjiani_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg) {cite:p}`skidmore_english_2019`
```


Kumail Nanjiani was a star of the [Silicon Valley](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2575988/) {cite:p}`altschuler_silicon_2014` TV Show, which was about the tech industry. He posted these reflections on ethics in tech on Twitter (@kumailn) on November 1, 2017:


> As a cast member on a show about tech, our job entails visiting tech companies/conferences etc. We meet ppl eager to show off new tech.
>
> Often we'll see tech that is scary. I don't mean weapons etc. I mean altering video, tech that violates privacy, stuff w obv ethical issues.
>
> And we'll bring up our concerns to them. We are realizing that ZERO consideration seems to be given to the ethical implications of tech.
>
> They don't even have a pat rehearsed answer. They are shocked at being asked. Which means nobody is asking those questions.
>
> "We're not making it for that reason but the way ppl choose to use it isn't our fault. Safeguard will develop." But tech is moving so fast.
>
> That there is no way humanity or laws can keep up. We don't even know how to deal with open death threats online.
>
> Only "Can we do this?" Never "should we do this? We've seen that same blasé attitude in how Twitter or Facebook deal w abuse/fake news.
>
> You can't put this stuff back in the box. Once it's out there, it's out there. And there are no guardians. It's terrifying. The end.
>
> - Kumail Nanjiani


## Reflection questions:
- What do you think is the responsibility of tech workers to think through the ethical implications of what they are making?
- Why do you think the people who Kumail talked with didn't have answers to his questions?


% Add a see also [Torment nexus](https://twitter.com/alexblechman/status/1457842724128833538) {cite:p}`alex_blechman_alexblechman_sci-fi_2021`, technical debt