Simon Longstaff

philosopher - focusing on the ethical dimension of life - outside the academy - constructively ignorant .. with capacity to pose an occasionally useful question

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

https://t.co/suYU9DjxMz

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

Why Anzac Day’s soft power is so important to social cohesion https://t.co/MrV95zOgtz

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

Another example of why we need a National Ethics Institute as championed by the likes of @DavidPocock @SophieScamps @allegraspender and the wonderful @JacquiLambie You can help by signing the petition at: https://t.co/PoypZ7ylmt

https://t.co/9qHq3uThIf

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

You can back those making the case at: https://t.co/PoypZ7xNwV
Why we need an Australian Institute for Applied Ethics https://t.co/REBW67bXl7 @DavidPocock @helenhainesindi @SophieScamps @WayneSwan @sammostyn @allegraspender

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

There is much being written about AI as a potential existential threat to humanity. But, how our society might need to evolve (assuming we survive!) in response to this increasingly powerful technology and its integration into most aspects of our lives: https://t.co/fbqjGERzR2

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

It would be wonderful if as many people as possible could join our campaign to secure funding for a proposed new, national Ethics Institute. You can join us here: https://t.co/tdQgYpk9vF

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

Like many other Australians, I have been wrestling with the arguments made by those who support and oppose Constitutional recognition of our First Nations Peoples through the establishment of a Voice. Here is where I have landed ... https://t.co/bU6ulomP56

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

Looking forward to this weekend’s Festival of Dangerous Ideas at Carriageworks in Sydney. We have a remarkable line up- with international guests appearing in person. Of particular interest is the emerging ‘rock star’ of economic history, Adam Tooze: https://t.co/xwXk1yU1FJ

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

Truth, trust, tech, tattoos, and taboos: Australia’s original disruptive festival, @festofdanger returns in-person to @Carriageworks, Sydney 17–18 September 🔥 72 Speakers + Artists // 8 International Guests // Art // Experiences // #BECONSUMED #FODI22

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

@white_owly Of course, the greater the alignment between espoused values and principles and actual practice (including across the entire ethical niche occupied by a business) … then? the better. Finally, I think that the ethics of each part needs to be assessed independently to the whole.

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

@white_owly Following on from my earlier reply about the implication of genuine ethical dilemmas , the impossibility of ‘ethical perfection’ should give us pause when determining if the criterion for being deemed an ethical individual or company is alignment across all stakeholders.

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

@white_owly The first thing to realise about ethics is that ‘ethical perfection’ is, as a matter of principle, impossible. This is because there are a non-trivial number of cases in which what one ought to do is undecidable (e.g. when values of equal ‘weight’ pull in opposite directions.

[Professor Toby Walsh FAA FTSE @TobyWalsh]

Join me and the amazing @SimonLongstaff in conversation about Machines Behaving Badly at Gleebooks, 6pm for 6.30pm on May 5th #AI @BlackIncBooks @unsw_ai https://t.co/JwB16S0Kud

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

@tonyarena Thanks For the offer Tony. However, I will let it rest as a ‘cautionary tale’. More important now to deal with the failing health of a loved one.

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

Have just had the most appalling experience with 13Cabs on the Gold Coast. Needed to head from an airport hotel to John Flynn Private Hospital to see a dying relative. Not a single cab would take the fare! Compassionate service. A sign of the times?

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

@fahad_s_ali Yes, there can be such honour … but it is essential to recall that my argument is that honour only accrues to those who exercise ethical restraint. Just cause+Just means.

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

@tonyarena I do. The contact was with the company and involved multiple conversations. It is impossible to believe that they reserved this experience for me alone. This is likely the default experience. Especially troubling is that I could see the cabs all lined up at the airport rank!

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

@werhopeful Short trip.

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

@kymtje @Hanne45650495 @smh And I do not rule out boycotts per se - simply question their utility in a liberal democracy - while leaving it open to people to decide such matters as they think best. Wishing you all the best for ‘22.

[Simon Longstaff @SimonLongstaff]

@kymtje @Hanne45650495 @smh ThanKs. I should clarify a final point. I did not set out to write a column about BDS. It really was directed to people with ethical concerns of any kind. As you will see, I do not accept that being apolitical means turning a blind eye.