Patreon Preview – 450. Sorry Grandma, Computer Says Die

Patreon Preview – 450. Sorry Grandma, Computer Says Die

From This Machine Kills by This Machine Kills

March 25, 2026 · 6 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of a new aged care algorithm in Australia and its potential impact on empathy and care for the elderly.

We chat about new strides in Australian innovation. What if you had a computer quiz that decided if your grandma deserved the care needed to have a good life? What if you had a computer quiz designed to eliminate empathy in the name of streamlining budgets? What if you had an unbending, unchallengeable, system of rules that turned human experts into vestigial organs? And what if that system cost more than a $1 billion in privatisation contracts? ••• New aged care algorithm under fire as 800 apply for review https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-24/aged-care-algorithm-for-home-care-under-fire/106475138 Standing Plugs: ••• Order Jathan’s book: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520398078/the-mechanic-and-the-luddite ••• Subscribe to Ed’s substack: https://substack.com/@thetechbubble ••• Subscribe to TMK on patreon for premium episodes: https://www.patreon.com/thismachinekills Hosted by Jathan Sadowski (bsky.app/profile/jathansadowski.com) and Edward Ongweso Jr. (www.x.com/bigblackjacobin). Production / Music by Jereme Brown (bsky.app/profile/jebr.bsky.social)

People in this episode

Hosts: Jathan Sadowski, Edward Ongweso Jr.

Topics covered

  • aged care
  • algorithm
  • innovation
  • empathy
  • privatization
  • budgeting

Keywords

  • aged care algorithm
  • Australian innovation
  • empathy
  • privatization
  • budgeting
  • computer quiz

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Australian innovation, ABC, TMK, Ed’s substack, Patreon

Books & works: The Mechanic and the Luddite

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