--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We're going to need a new social contract…" description: "\"We're going to need a new social contract with the tech world one that asks for consent, and one with transparent goals. Right now, the goals of techno..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5d/tristan-harris-15820_choices_we-re-going-to-need-a-new-social-contrac_362998.jpg" --- # We're going to need a new social contract with the tech… ![“We're going to need a new social contract with the tech world one that asks for consent, and one with transparent goals. Right now, the goals of technology are not aligned with our goals as humans. We need technology that empowers us to make the life choices we want to make.” quote by Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5d/tristan-harris-15820_choices_we-re-going-to-need-a-new-social-contrac_362998.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5d/tristan-harris-15820_choices_we-re-going-to-need-a-new-social-contrac_362998.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5d/tristan-harris-15820_choices_we-re-going-to-need-a-new-social-contrac_362998.jpg) > “We're going to need a new social contract with the tech world one that asks for consent, and one with transparent goals. Right now, the goals of technology are not aligned with our goals as humans. We need technology that empowers us to make the life choices we want to make.” [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Technology should be governed by clear consent and transparent goals aligned with human values. **In simple terms:** Calls for a new social contract with tech based on consent and transparency. Key Takeaway Demand accountable, human‑centered tech design. Themes ethics technology consent transparency Mood concerned hopeful Type ethical policy When to use this quote - policy making - product development - user data handling Key Concepts social contract human‑centered design Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards ensure tech serves human goals? - How can consent be meaningfully obtained? A Different Perspective Implementing consent mechanisms can be technically complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Goals Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals-humans-3329498/) [Goals Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals-technology-3329497/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-choice/) [Life choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-choices/) [New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new/) [Right now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-now/) [Social contract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-contract/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Technology Empowers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology-empowers-2613126/) [Transparent Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transparent-goals-3106068/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [What is clear is that business leaders must commit to champion change - to be transparent about their goals for change, to align their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-brooke/what-is-clear-is-that-business-leaders-must-commit-to-champion-change/) [Beth Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-brooke/) > [“They told me that nothing was a sin, just a poor life choice. Poor impulse control. That nothing is evil. Any concept of right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/they-told-me-that-nothing-was-a-sin-just-a-poor-life-choice-poor/) [chuck palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [The number one benefit of information technology is that it empowers people to do what they want to do. It lets people be creative.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ballmer/the-number-one-benefit-of-information-technology-is-that-it-empowers/) [Steve Ballmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ballmer/) > [I have a vision that's about technology that empowers consumers over institutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-k-powell/i-have-a-vision-that-s-about-technology-that-empowers-consumers-over/) [Michael K. Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-k-powell/) > [Technology empowers the less empowered. If there is a strong force that bring a change in the lives of those on the margins it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/technology-empowers-the-less-empowered-if-there-is-a-strong-force/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Whether you're a programming prodigy or the office manager holding it all together, technology empowers small groups of passionate people with an astonishing degree…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-rosenstein/whether-you-re-a-programming-prodigy-or-the-office-manager-holding-it/) [Justin Rosenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-rosenstein/) > [While technology empowers us to remain connected all the time, it's up to us as people to decide when is it not appropriate to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/padmasree-warrior/while-technology-empowers-us-to-remain-connected-all-the-time-it-s-up/) [Padmasree Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/padmasree-warrior/) > [The theory of social contracts extends as far back as Plato. However, it was the great 18th century social philosophers John Locke, Thomas Hobbes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mainwaring/the-theory-of-social-contracts-extends-as-far-back-as-plato-however/) [Simon Mainwaring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mainwaring/) > [“The nation-state at best is based on the social contract that is also an emotional contract, stamped by the charisma of the past.” —SVETLANA…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-alexander/the-nation-state-at-best-is-based-on-the-social-contract-that-is-also/) [Brian Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-alexander/) > [The "social contract," in the only sense in which it is not completely mythical, is a contract among conquerors, which loses its raison d'être…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-social-contract-in-the-only-sense-in-which-it-is-not-completely/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“Throughout the 1980's, we did hear too much about individual gain and the ethos of selfishness and greed. We did not hear enough a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/throughout-the-1980-s-we-did-hear-too-much-about-individual-gain-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The problem is to find a form of association which will defend and protect with the whole common force the person and goods of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/the-problem-is-to-find-a-form-of-association-which-will-defend-and/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [A group is as healthy as its 'social contract' is clear; a congregation as faithful as its covenant is mutually understood; a pastor as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-group-is-as-healthy-as-its-social-contract-is-clear-a-congregation/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In the technical realm, we repeatedly enter into a series of social contracts, the terms of which are revealed only after the signing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/langdon-winner/in-the-technical-realm-we-repeatedly-enter-into-a-series-of-social/) [Langdon Winner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/langdon-winner/) > [24.9 percent of American children live in poverty, while the proportions in Germany, France and Italy are 8.6, 7.4 and 10.5 percent. And once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hutton/24-9-percent-of-american-children-live-in-poverty-while-the/) [Will Hutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hutton/) ## More by Tristan Harris > [Traditional companies have been subject to licensing for many years. Attention utilities should be required to obey limits on data extraction and message amplification…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/traditional-companies-have-been-subject-to-licensing-for-many-years/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [Magicians start by looking for blind spots, edges, vulnerabilities and limits of people's perception, so they can influence what people do without them even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/magicians-start-by-looking-for-blind-spots-edges-vulnerabilities-and/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [Our online news feeds aggregate all of the world's pain and cruelty, dragging our brains into a kind of learned helplessness. Technology that provides…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/our-online-news-feeds-aggregate-all-of-the-world-s-pain-and-cruelty/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [I actually worry that we're so mindlessly following the herd on privacy and data being the principle concerns when the actual things that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/i-actually-worry-that-we-re-so-mindlessly-following-the-herd-on/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [For any company whose business model is advertising, or engagement-based advertising, meaning they care about the amount of time someone spends on the product,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/for-any-company-whose-business-model-is-advertising-or-engagement/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [If we really wanted to have a reorientation of the tech industry toward what's best for people, then we would ask the second question,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/if-we-really-wanted-to-have-a-reorientation-of-the-tech-industry/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [Technology steers what 2 billion people are thinking and believing every day. It's possibly the largest source of influence over 2 billion people's thoughts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/technology-steers-what-2-billion-people-are-thinking-and-believing/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [You're either on, and you're connected and distracted all the time, or you're off, but then you're wondering, am I missing something important? In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/you-re-either-on-and-you-re-connected-and-distracted-all-the-time-or/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [Tech companies are distracting, dividing and outraging citizens to the point where there is little basis for common ground. This is a direct threat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/tech-companies-are-distracting-dividing-and-outraging-citizens-to-the/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [Once you start understanding that your mind can be scheduled into having little thoughts or little blocks of time that you didn't choose, wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/once-you-start-understanding-that-your-mind-can-be-scheduled-into/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [We want to have a relationship with technology that gives us back choice about how we spend time with it, and we're going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/we-want-to-have-a-relationship-with-technology-that-gives-us-back/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [Apps or media who make money on advertising are never satisfied with 'enough' of your attention. They will always fight for more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/apps-or-media-who-make-money-on-advertising-are-never-satisfied-with/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [I'm an expert on how technology hijacks our psychological vulnerabilities. That's why I spent the last three years as a Design Ethicist at Google…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/i-m-an-expert-on-how-technology-hijacks-our-psychological/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [Technology is causing a set of seemingly disconnected things - shortening of attention spans, polarization, outrage-ification of culture, mass narcissism, election engineering, addiction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/technology-is-causing-a-set-of-seemingly-disconnected-things/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [There's nothing in your life or in our collective problems that does not require our ability to put our attention where we care about.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/there-s-nothing-in-your-life-or-in-our-collective-problems-that-does/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) [Explore all 42 Tristan Harris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) ## More Choices quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/) [Alison James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-james/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) [Pancho Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pancho-barnes/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Movies have power. Power to impact society and the choices we make. I want to entertain, but I also want to say something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/movies-have-power-power-to-impact-society-and-the-choices-we-make-i/) [Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [I don't know that any woman could ever not think about that at some point - even making the choice not to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-watts/i-don-t-know-that-any-woman-could-ever-not-think-about-that-at-some/) [Naomi Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-watts/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) [Browse all 11,466 Choices quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We're going to need a new social contract with the tech world one that asks for consent, and one with transparent goals. 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