The a16z Show The Techno-Optimist Manifesto with Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz
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Jan 1, 2026 
Join Marc Andreessen, a tech visionary and cofounder of Andreessen Horowitz, as he discusses his provocative Techno-Optimist Manifesto with fellow cofounder Ben Horowitz. They dive into how technology can uplift marginalized communities and counter pessimistic narratives. The duo examines the importance of competition in markets, explores the potential of nuclear energy, and critiques the current education system. Plus, they debate whether society should allow people not to work, highlighting the need for purposeful engagement in a tech-driven world.
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Technology Is Neutral; Beware Dangerous Pessimism
- Technologies are tools used for both good and bad, so judge them by effects not fear.
- Effective pessimism often slides into extremes that stymie progress, warns Marc Andreessen.
Don’t Ban — Mitigate And Iterate
- When harms appear, address them as they arise rather than banning the technology outright.
- Support and accelerate useful technologies while building mitigations for their downsides.
Belief Shapes Opportunity
- Self-determination and belief in possibility drive change in marginalized communities.
- If you believe you can't succeed, you won't — mindset shapes outcomes, Marc argues.