Tech Reads

by Tech Reads

Tech reads is a Softec sponsored 'live studio audience' podcast event that puts thought leaders (authors) in front of a growing technology-centric audience. Visit https://www.meetup.com/softec/events to find out when our next event will be held. Hosted by Brian Schwartz of SelfPublish.org, Tech Reads is seeking authors to be future guests. Submit your ... 

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Podcast episodes

  • Season 2

  • Tech Reads Ep. 13 - An Inflection Point for Computer Vision and Society with author Robert Boscacci

    Tech Reads Ep. 13 - An Inflection Point for Computer Vision and Society with author Robert Boscacci

    The Spring of Sight is available at: https://amzn.to/45w9FDP You can view a video recording of our session with Rob on our youtube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@techreadsTech Reads is sponsored by Softec (https://softec.org) and hosted by Brian Schwartz (https://selfpublish.org) and friends. We are extremely grateful to our sponsors and to Rob Boscacci (https://robertboscacci.com/) who shared insights from his new book: The Spring of Sight: An Inflection Point for Computer Vision and Society. Computer vision is a field of artificial intelligence (AI) that enables computers and systems to derive meaningful information from digital images, videos and other visual inputs — and take actions or make recommendations based on that information. If AI enables computers to think, computer vision enables them to see, observe and understand. Author Robert Boscacci is a Cinema technician and data engineer. He wrote The Spring of Sight: An Inflection Point for Computer Vision and Society to bring attention to the potential pitfalls and perils of CV along with all of its promise to improve our lives. Like something straight out of Popular Science, we are part of an experiment that will permanently change the future. The Spring of Sight speaks to futurists and activists at the forefront of image-based automation and mass surveillance. #techreads #softec #technology #computervision #ai #surveillance #cv #artificialintelligence

  • Tech Reads Ep. 12 - Containing Big Tech: How to Protect Our Civil Rights, Economy, and Democracy

    Tech Reads Ep. 12 - Containing Big Tech: How to Protect Our Civil Rights, Economy, and Democracy

    Now available at https://amzn.to/44GLDWE. In this episode of Tech Reads, we discuss Tom Kemp's new book which exposes the consequences of Big Tech's digital surveillance, exploitative use of AI, and monopolistic and anticompetitive practices. Tom offers actionable solutions to these problems and a clear path forward for individuals and policymakers to advocate for change. By containing the excesses of Big Tech, we will ensure our civil rights are respected and preserved, our economy is competitive, and our democracy is protected. Coming from an extensive background building Silicon Valley-based tech startups, Tom Kemp eloquently and precisely weaves together the threats posed by Big Tech:the overcollection and weaponization of our most sensitive datathe problematic ways Big Tech uses AI to process and act upon our datathe stifling of competition and entrepreneurship due to Big Tech's dominant market positionLINKS:Containing Big Tech: How to Protect Our Civil Rights, Economy, and DemocracySoftec.orgTom Kemp (Guest)Brian Schwartz (Host)Bob Dumouchel (Co-host)

  • Tech Reads Ep. 11 - Teach the Geek to Speak with Neil Thompson

    Tech Reads Ep. 11 - Teach the Geek to Speak with Neil Thompson

    Neil's Book: https://amzn.to/46bzKJe. After one too many failed presentations, Neil Thompson, an engineer, knew he had to improve. He did so, and now he works with technical professionals like himself to improve their communication skills. He hosts the "Teach the Geek" podcast, interviewing technical professionals about their public speaking journeys. He is also the author of "Teach the Geek to Speak: a No-Fluff Public Speaking Guide for STEM Professionals." Connect with Neil at https://teachthegeek.com/ Tech Reads is sponsored by Softec. Learn more at https://softec.org

  • Tech Reads Ep. 10 - No Grit, No Glory - Dr. Paul G. Stoltz on Adversity

    Tech Reads Ep. 10 - No Grit, No Glory - Dr. Paul G. Stoltz on Adversity

    Dr. Paul G. Stoltz has built an impressive life’s work and career as a multi-national bestselling author, speaker, coach, and corporate trainer. He's the CEO of PEAK Learning, a global firm that teaches individuals and organizations how to engineer resilience and thrive on adversity. Over 40 years ago, Paul discovered that like IQ, each of us has an AQ (Adversity Quotient) number. Now widely referenced, Paul was the first to coin the term 'AQ,' ushering a new word into our lexicon. We can't improve what we can't measure and Paul's mission is to show each of us that we have an AQ number, and once we know it, we can work to improve it. Having a 'growth mindset' (as compared to a limited mindset) is key to reaching our potential and AQ gives us an objective metric to avoid falling into the comparison trap.Improving your AQ is accomplished through his honed AQ Tools and GRIT, the title of a subsequent bestseller for Paul. Rather than recoil and retract, those with grit persevere and overcome - building strength to face greater challenges ahead. Check out GRIT: The New Science of What it Takes to Persevere, Flourish, Succeed and Paul's website. Softec website. Host's website: https://selfpublish.org

  • Tech Reads Ep. 9 - Can Agile be used to improve relationships? Authors Douglas Squirrel & Jeffrey Fredrick

    Tech Reads Ep. 9 - Can Agile be used to improve relationships? Authors Douglas Squirrel & Jeffrey Fredrick

    The science of effective communication using the agile method. This is a replay of our 'live studio audience' podcast with the authors of 'Agile Conversations: Transform Your Conversations, Transform Your Culture.' Learn about applying the concept of agile practices in an unconventional way: to transform how we communicate with one another. Free book preview at: https://amzn.to/3GxJhPO Author Bios: Douglas Squirrel​ (UK) has been coding for 40+ years. He's worked in fintech, biotech, music, and everything in between. His co-author, Jeffrey Fredrick (California) is an internationally recognized expert in software development and has over twenty-five years of experience covering both sides of the business/technology divide. He was an early adopter of XP and Agile and is considered a pioneer in the open-source movement. Learn more about Douglas & Jeffrey at https://agileconversations.com Visit Softec at https://softec.orgConnect with the Tech Reads host, Brian Schwartz at https://selfpublish.org