Are our emotions shaped—and even expanded—by technology, or are we just becoming more disconnected and manipulated online?

Dive into this episode as Kate O’Neill and Pamela Pavliscak explore the complicated emotional landscape of the digital world and what it truly means to “stay human.”

Topics Covered

• How technology mediates and shapes emotions
• The evolution from tech optimism to algorithmic influence
• Common myths about screen time and digital well-being
• How emotional metrics differ from traditional digital metrics
• Shame, AI use, and the pressure to behave perfectly online
• New “neo emotions” and expanding emotional vocabularies
• The algorithmic amplification of outrage
• Persuasion vs. manipulation in emotional design
• Emotional externalities and digital ethics
• Future guardrails for emotionally-aware AI
• Human inventiveness in tech-mediated relationships
• Finding hope and vitality in the digital age

Connect with: Pamela Pavliscak
Pamela Pavliscak on LinkedIn
All the Feels: How to Stay Human in the Digital World
Instagram (@pamelapavliscak)
Substack https://feelingdigital.substack.com/

Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction & Heart of the Conversation
01:40 What is the Future of Feelings in Technology?
02:25 Why Emotions Matter in Design
04:43 A Butterfly Story: Tech & Personal Grief
05:17 Early Tech Optimism vs Today’s Realities
07:39 Debunking Myths About “Screen Time”
10:00 Diaries and Meaningful Online Experiences
12:55 Metrics Beyond Time: How to ‘Measure’ Digital Well-Being
14:46 Shame, AI, and Tech Purity Culture
18:04 Individual Responsibility vs Systemic Change
20:17 Living in a Tech Ecosystem: What Do We Do Now?
20:33 Emotional Life on the Internet vs. Emotional Life with AI
24:17 Navigating Social Norms with Generative AI
28:41 Are Neo Emotions Expanding Our Feelings?
36:37 Why Does Outrage Rule the Internet?
39:09 Persuasion vs. Manipulation in Emotional Interfaces
42:28 Should Tech Be Accountable for Emotional Harm?
45:00 Needed: Guardrails for Emotionally-Aware AI
49:35 Staying Hopeful & Staying Human
51:36 Outro & Where to Find the Book