Fasten your seatbelts! Because while many of us were raised during a generation of “click-it-or-ticket” public awareness campaigns, the true story of how seat belts became a fixture in American automotive culture takes some surprising twists and turns. Far from a single, swift act of legislation, popular adoption of seat belts was the result of a long period of education, organization, and political struggle.
In a recent 8th Light University talk, Eva PenzeyMoog takes inspiration from that struggle to chart a roadmap for a similar paradigm shift in the tech industry. She describes the need to create similar campaigns of awareness, education, and advocacy if we want to arrive at legislation that makes software more ethical, more egalitarian, and safer — or in other words, a web experience with seat belts.
Arriving at a more ethical and humane tech industry will require new standards and regulations; but most of all it will require a new way of thinking about technology in people’s lives. By looking in the rearview mirror at a similar paradigm shift in automobiles, Eva’s talk helps viewers gain a clearer understanding of how to plug into activism, what to expect from a realistic roadmap, and how to pace yourselves for the long haul.
Join the Dialogue
- Purchase Eva’s book, Design For Safety, from A Book Apart.
- Read the blog What Matters When Designing For Safety?
- Listen to a discussion on Design For Safety on 8th Light’s podcast Collaborative Craft.
- Follow Eva on Twitter and The Inclusive Safety Project, founded by Eva PenzeyMoog.
About 8th Light University
8th Light University (8LU) is a virtual event series curated by 8th Light, a global software consultancy that partners with clients in creating software solutions. Topics focus on improving the craft of software product, design, and development. Software professionals of all skill levels are welcome! Watch past event videos on YouTube, join us at our next 8LU event, or sign up for our newsletter to to find out about upcoming events.
