Complex Systems with Patrick McKenzie (patio11)

Reporting on tech with Kelsey Piper

Jul 25, 2024

01:06:40

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Kelsey Piper, a journalist for Vox’s Future Perfect, talks with Patrick McKenzie about equity irregularities at OpenAI and the social function of equity in tech. They discuss the frosty relationship between tech and media, editorial policies, media relations, and historical media practices in the modern tech industry.

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Quick takeaways

Equity irregularities at OpenAI led to policy improvements, highlighting the importance of journalistic oversight in the tech industry.

The frosty relationship between tech and media has escalated due to shifting dynamics and lack of trust.

Concerns arise over corporate influence on media, impacting transparency and independence in news reporting.

Deep dives

Tech Industry and Media Relations

The relationship between the tech industry and the media has become increasingly strained over the years. The media's coverage of tech companies has shifted towards holding them more accountable, resulting in a more antagonistic dynamic. Perturbations such as the Cambridge Analytica scandal further amplified this tension, leading to a lack of trust and adversarial interactions.

Human Error and Fact-Checking in Institutions

01:26

Strategic Leverage in Media Relations

01:18

Interacting with HR Departments

01:20

Effectiveness of Ethics Classes

00:42

Intro

3min

The Evolution of Equity Compensation in Tech Industry

15min

Navigating Employee-Company Communication and HR Dynamics

3min

Navigating Disputes and Bureaucratic Tactics in a High-Trust Environment

4min

Navigating Work-Related Communication and Documentation When Leaving Employment

4min

Evolving Dynamics Between Tech Companies and Media Outlets

25min

Seizing Opportunities and Making Ethical Decisions

11min

Reflections on Transparency in Journalism and Online Conversations

2min

Patrick McKenzie (patio11) is joined by Kelsey Piper, a journalist for Vox’s Future Perfect. Kelsey recently reported on equity irregularities at OpenAI in May of 2024, leading to an improvement of their policies in this area. We discuss the social function of equity in the technology industry, why the tech industry and reporters have had a frosty relationship the last several years, and more.

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Full transcript available here: https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/episodes/reporting-tech-kelsey-piper/

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Sponsor: This podcast is sponsored by Check, the leading payroll infrastructure provider and pioneer of embedded payroll. Check makes it easy for any SaaS platform to build a payroll business, and already powers 60+ popular platforms. Head to checkhq.com/complex and tell them patio11 sent you.

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Links:

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Twitter:

@patio11

@KelseyTuoc

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(00:28) Kelsey Piper's journey into tech journalism

(01:34) Early reporting

(03:16) How Kelsey covers OpenAI

(05:27) Understanding equity in the tech industry

(11:29) Tender offers and employee equity

(20:00) Dangerous Professional: employee edition

(28:46) The frosty relationship between tech and media

(35:44) Editorial policies and tech reporting

(37:28) Media relations in the modern tech industry

(38:35) Historical media practices and PR strategies

(40:48) Challenges in modern journalism

(44:48) VaccinateCA

(56:12) Reflections on Effective Altruism and ethics

(01:03:52) The role of Twitter in modern coordination

(01:05:40) Final thoughts

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Complex Systems is part of the Turpentine podcast network.

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