In this conversation, Erik Torenberg sits down with Antonio Garcia Martinez, founder of Spindl and author of ‘Chaos Monkeys’, and Parker Thompson, partner at SAX Capital, TNT Ventures, and AngelList, to explore the influence of social media on society. They discuss media literacy and journalism, how politics change people's views of social media, and the rise of unique religious movements in social activism. This episode marks the first time Erik interviewed Antonio Garcia Martinez on Venture Stories back in 2019 and remains relevant today. If you're looking for an ERP platform, check out NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen.

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FOLLOW ON X:

@antoniogm (Antonio)

@pt (Parker)

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@moz_podcast (Moment of Zen)

@TurpentineMedia

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BOOKS CITED:

Chaos Monkeys by Antonio Garcia Martinez

Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man by Marshall McLuhan 

Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman

The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America by Daniel J. Boorstin

The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium by Martin Gurri

Seven Types of Atheism by John Gray

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:23) Impact of Facebook

(02:41) Evolution of Media and Its Influence on Society

(10:10) Journalism and Media Ethics

(26:25) Effectiveness of Media Regulation

(33:10) Facebook's Content Curation

(34:02) Content Control

(35:32) Impact of Algorithms on Society and Business

(38:50) Generational Shifts in Media Consumption

(45:57) Exploring the Ideology of Silicon Valley

(49:44) Secular Religions and the Quest for Community

(58:39) Future of Religion and Community in the Digital Age

(01:03:36) Wrap

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.