#1765 AI Capitalism Will Not Deliver an AI Utopia
Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy
Bubble clues: what to look for
Planet Money research lists high valuations, volatility, issuance, and acceleration as bubble indicators.
Air Date: 1/17/2026
There's a lot to be concerned about with AI but the biggest concern is the economic system we have in place at the moment when AI is being introduced. Capitalism is not a good steward of new and potentially dangerous technology, as we've seen from Zuckerberg's move-fast-and-break-things era of social media that he later recognized as having triggered a genocide. When the profit drive necessitates light-speed growth, ethical and safety considerations are the first things to be jettisoned and things get broken.
Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!
In honor of our 20th birthday, we're giving new Members 20% OFF FOR THE LIFETIME OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP...this includes Gift Memberships! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)
Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!
KEY POINTS
KP 1: What Sam Altman Doesn't Want You To Know - More Perfect Union - Air Date 12-19-25
KP 2: The AI Bubble Part 1 - Today, Explained - Air Date 10-28-25
KP 3: The Hidden Forces Driving the AI Bubble Part 1 - Instant Genius - Air Date 11-13-25
KP 4: Desperate OpenAI Turns To Erotica - Novara Media - Air Date 10-16-25
KP 5: Avoiding Fake News in the AI Era Part 1 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 1-8-25
(00:48:47) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
On why capitalism is the biggest problem of AI
DEEPER DIVES
(00:57:14) SECTION A: AL BUBBLE
A1: So Are We in an AI Bubble? Here Are Clues to Look for Part 1 - Planet Money - Air Date 1-9-25
A2: The Hidden Forces Driving the AI Bubble Part 2 - Instant Genius - Air Date 11-13-25
A3: The AI Bubble Part 2 - Today, Explained - Air Date 10-28-25
A4: AI Robot Slaves and Other CES Miracles Part 1 - It Could Happen Here - Air Date 1-12-26
A5: So Are We in an AI Bubble? Here Are Clues to Look for Part 2 - Planet Money - Air Date 1-9-25
(01:39:59) SECTION B: PORN AND SLOP
B1: Avoiding Fake News in the AI Era Part 2 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 1-8-25
B2: Deep Fakes, Data Centers, and AI Slop — Are We Cooked Part 1 - On the Media - Air Date 12-19-25
B3: Meet The Women Being Deepfaked Into Porn by AI - BBC - Air Date 9-4-24
B4: Digital Stimulation AI and Porn - The Economist - Air Date 12-10-25
B5: How AI Porn Isolates Us with Noelle Perdue Part 1 - The 404 Media Podcast - Air Date 12-9-25
B6: AI Robot Slaves and Other CES Miracles Part 2 - It Could Happen Here - Air Date 1-12-26
B7: How AI Porn Isolates Us with Noelle Perdue Part 2 - The 404 Media Podcast - Air Date 12-9-25
(02:30:14) SECTION C: REGULATION
C1: Two Proposed Bills Cover AI and Deep Fake Pornography in Indiana - WTHR - Air Date 1-2-26
C2: Deep Fakes, Data Centers, and AI Slop — Are We Cooked Part 2 - On the Media - Air Date 12-19-25
C3: AI 1 — Humanity 0 - Today, Explained - Air Date 12-17-25
SHOW IMAGE CREDITS
Description: Composite image of a high-tech robot running on a road while money falls into flames behind it.
Credit: Internal design. Images via Pixabay | Pixabay license
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!
Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
The AI-powered Podcast Player
