On with Kara Swisher “Mountainhead” Writer/Director Jesse Armstrong on Tech Bros, Murdoch and AI
107 snips
Jun 5, 2025 
Jesse Armstrong, the Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning creator of Succession, dives into the chaos of wealth and technology in his latest HBO film, Mountainhead. He discusses how tech billionaires navigate ambition and ethics during a disastrous poker retreat, highlighting deepfake horrors and their real-world implications. Armstrong critiques the tech oligarchy's influence over society, comparing them to legacy media moguls like Rupert Murdoch. He also delves into the societal impact of AI on creativity and the complex dynamics of male friendships within the cutthroat tech industry.
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Antiseptic Isolation Reflects Detachment
- "Mountainhead" uses a confined, single-location setup similar to a play to intensify dramatic tension.
- The isolated, antiseptic setting mirrors the emotional and social detachment of the tech billionaires.
Tech Characters Mirror Real Figures
- Characters in "Mountainhead" are composites of real Silicon Valley tech archetypes.
- The film draws on traits from Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and others.
Sergey Brin's Baby Potty Training
- Kara Swisher once saw Sergey Brin awkwardly try to potty train a baby at her home.
- The incident highlighted the tech elites' unfamiliarity with common human tasks.
