Tech Won't Save Us The Tech Oligarchy’s Campaign Against the Media w/ Eoin Higgins
20 snips
Feb 13, 2025 
Eoin Higgins, journalist and author of "Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voices on the Left," delves into the profound influence of tech elites on media narratives. He highlights the shift from critical journalism to more favorable coverage of tech giants, framing it as a battle for control over public perception. Higgins discusses the fallout from Peter Thiel's feud with Gawker, the rise of alternative media like Substack, and the ideological shifts of once-leftist commentators, revealing the complex interplay of money, power, and media integrity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Tech Billionaires' Media Influence
- Tech billionaires aimed to control media narratives.
- They disliked critical coverage and aimed to shift influence.
Thiel vs. Gawker
- Peter Thiel, angered by Gawker's reporting, bankrolled Hulk Hogan's lawsuit against them.
- This led to Gawker Media's bankruptcy, chilling media criticism of the wealthy.
Andreessen's Resentment
- Marc Andreessen felt betrayed by the public's and media's criticism.
- He desired a more positive portrayal of the tech industry.
