Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People Why Interdependence Matters: Baratunde Thurston on Democracy and Responsible Tech
9 snips
Nov 26, 2025 
Baratunde Thurston, a cultural critic and comedian, dives into the challenges of staying connected in an increasingly tech-driven world. He discusses the importance of interdependence over isolation and how technology can be a tool for building relationships. Baratunde shares insights on identity through the lens of ancestry, critiques the impact of billionaire influence, and advocates for resetting political systems. His approach pushes us to rethink our use of technology in fostering community and hope, while emphasizing the need for empathy in divided times.
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Tech Sells Loneliness As A Feature
- Modern tech often markets independence and loneliness as a feature rather than a bug.
- Baratunde Thurston warns this framing erodes human relationships and social interdependence.
Name Typos Led To A Lesson On Lineage
- Baratunde's middle-name typo turned Babatunde into Baratunde and taught him about naming, lineage, and slavery's disruptions.
- He traces his Ghanaian/Yoruba name choice to a 1970s book and the cultural search for African roots.
How The Onion Stayed Sharp
- At The Onion, Baratunde found diverse regional voices, rigorous debate, and high standards that produced original satire.
- He credits a wide contributor network for keeping the satire sharp over decades.
