The Dark Side of Silicon Valley: Fake Spreadsheets, Sociopathy, and Lack of Empathy

7min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

This chapter delves into the shocking revelation of a fake spreadsheet in the tech industry, highlighting the indifference towards risk and consequences exhibited by Silicon Valley billionaires. It explores the disturbing culture of sociopathy, greed, and lack of empathy prevalent in the crypto and tech industries, and expresses concern about the impact of unempathetic individuals in key decision-making positions on society.

Paris Marx is joined by Jacob Silverman to discuss the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, why he was found guilty, and how his negative traits are common across Silicon Valley.

Jacob Silverman is a journalist and the co-author of Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud. He’s also the host of The Naked Emperor. Find more of Jacob’s work on jacobsilverman.com.

Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.

The podcast is produced by Eric Wickham. Transcripts are by Brigitte Pawliw-Fry.

Also mentioned in this episode:

Jacob recently wrote about the Sam Bankman-Fried trial for Air Mail, The Nation, and his newsletter.
Elizabeth Holmes reported to prison in May for an 11-year sentence for swindling investors in Theranos.
Sam Bankman-Fried is facing further charges in a second trial scheduled for March 11. He’s also due to be sentenced for the guilty charges in the first trial on March 28.
Caroline Ellison revealed the leaked balance sheet that ultimately tanked FTX and Alameda was one of seven fakes made at the behest of Bankman-Fried.
Max Chafkin and Hannah Miller wrote about the role of Bankman-Fried’s parents in Bloomberg Businessweek.
Binance is in crisis in the face of a serious Department of Justice investigation.