John Borthwick shares his journey from a tech-savvy youth to a prominent figure in the New York tech scene. He discusses his early experiences with computers, the transformative impact of the World Wide Web, and the vibrant tech culture of the 90s. Borthwick reflects on his role in creating Total New York, the lessons learned from the AOL acquisition, and the challenges faced during the dot-com bubble burst. He also highlights the rise of social media platforms like Photolog and the evolution of BetaWorks as a hub for innovation, particularly in the AI space. Throughout the discussion, Borthwick emphasizes the importance of creativity, constraints, and the ever-changing landscape of technology.
Chapters:
00:00 The Early Days of Tech and Personal Journey
02:11 Education and Its Impact on Career
05:15 Experiencing the World Wide Web
08:09 The New York Tech Scene in the 90s
11:08 Creative Projects and the Internet
16:01 Total New York: A Local Information Hub
21:40 Lessons in Distribution and Audience Engagement
24:57 The Evolution of Internet Distribution
27:58 AOL: The Internet's First Giant
35:54 The Dot-Com Bubble and Its Aftermath
37:46 Photolog: A Precursor to Social Media
44:56 Navigating Abundance and Constraints in AI
49:37 BetaWorks: A Hub for Founders and Innovation
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
