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Tech Won't Save Us

The Tech Oligarchy’s Campaign Against the Media w/ Eoin Higgins

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.
53:24

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Tech billionaires have reshaped media narratives, transitioning from critical journalism to a more flattering and compliant coverage for corporate interests.
  • The rise of independent media platforms offers alternatives to traditional journalism, yet the influence of wealthy backers raises concerns about narrative control.

Deep dives

The Transformation of Media Coverage

The podcast discusses how the relationship between tech billionaires and media has evolved, particularly highlighting the shift from an initially critical press to a more servile and flattering one. In the early days of the tech industry's rise, media coverage varied from critical to analytical, but as tech giants like Microsoft began to dominate, the media became increasingly eager for access and insider narratives. This change coincided with tech companies aligning themselves with the U.S. government, notably during the war on terror, thus blurring the lines between independent media and corporate interests. The podcast emphasizes that this shift has led to a co-opted media landscape, where coverage tends to favor tech narratives over critical journalism.

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