The Futurists The Other Side of The Future
19 snips
Mar 7, 2025 
Cory Doctorow, a savvy activist and journalist, delves into the complexities of our tech-driven world. He shares insights from his latest novel, 'Picks and Shovels,' highlighting financial crime in 1980s Silicon Valley. The conversation tackles exploitative economic models, comparing pyramid schemes to cryptocurrency, and discusses the personal journeys of women leaving oppressive faiths. Doctorow emphasizes the need for a sustainable capitalism that fosters innovation while confronting monopolies and climate challenges, urging listeners to navigate digital privacy with care.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Early Computing
- Cory Doctorow's first computing experience involved a teletype terminal and acoustic coupler.
- His family used paper towel from his mom's kindergarten to print on, reusing it afterwards.
Tech Self-Determination
- Technological self-determination, the right to control your devices, is crucial.
- Modern tech often restricts this, creating vulnerabilities like the UK's attempt to access Apple backups.
Hope vs. Optimism
- Optimism and pessimism both assume the future is predetermined.
- Hope, however, suggests we can influence it by actively improving present circumstances.
