"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg E4: David Sacks on His Intellectual and Political Journey
Tech Firms Became New Censors
- PayPal and other tech firms shifted from free-speech champions to active censors tied to activist NGOs.
- This alliance now restricts both speech and opponents' ability to transact, deepening political control.
Private Platforms Collude With Government
- Big tech coordinates with government security agencies on content moderation through recurring meetings.
- This public-private collusion undermines the argument that platforms act as purely private companies.
Trump Accelerated Tech's Self-Doubt
- Trump's 2016 win flipped Silicon Valley's view of social networks from positive to threatening.
- Social media became a scapegoat, prompting tech and media to embrace stricter moderation.
David Sacks is known as a CEO/investor in multiple unicorns, and most recently a media mogul with All-In. In this episode, we trace David’s intellectual and political history from his days fighting student activism at Stanford to now. We cover the political and cultural changes in the last 30 years of silicon valley, how the real distinction today is between the college-educated and the not, and how even though 2⁄3 of the country didn’t go to college, their views are not represented in our institutions today. This episode was recorded in December 2022 but is just as relevant today. If you’re looking for an ERP platform, check out our sponsor, NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/UPSTREAM
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Episode Preview
(03:18) How did tech become less free speech oriented?
(04:30) Why is PayPal so woke?
(09:25) Corporations and governments collaborating to censor
(10:30) Tracing political history in Silicon Valley
(18:45) College educated vs. not is the biggest difference in US
(24:50) Sponsors: Secureframe
(27:22) David’s experience with student activism in the 1990s
(29:00) David’s evolution on foreign policy
(32:15) U.S. Russiaphobia
(35:45) Why David supports big-tech regulations
(49:00) Is classical liberalism a dead end?
(54:00) Elon’s character arc and political journey
(01:06:33) Employee entitlement was a bull-market phenomenon
(01:11:15) Accountability for elites is the solution
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This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.