Lost Tempo Dave Karpf - The Future Now And Then
Mar 10, 2025
In a captivating discussion, Dave Karpf, an academic and author focusing on technology and political advocacy, shares his insights on various topics. He reflects on environmentalism and the evolution of advocacy since the 90s. The conversation dives into the dual nature of technology, from personal joy to societal challenges. Karpf humorously contrasts techno-optimism with the reality of AGI limits and critiques profit-driven tech. He also discusses the fragmentation of the internet and the implications of capitalism on journalism and advocacy.
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Career Shift
- Dave Karpf's initial career plan was environmental activism after leading the Sierra Club's student branch.
- However, unemployment led him to pursue a PhD in political science while still engaging in activism.
Fragile Disruptions
- Disruptive technologies are fragile, and long-term social structures require maintenance.
- The current journalism crisis highlights the challenge of funding publicly valuable entities.
Trajectory of Tech
- New technologies tend to be driven by profit, even if initially envisioned for social good.
- Regulating business models, not just technologies, is crucial to mitigating negative consequences.