Michael Zappa - Where does innovation really come from?

This episode explores the foundations of technological advancement, emphasizing the importance of investment and a supportive academic environment. It highlights how regional strengths and specialties significantly influence the nature of technological progress. The discussion underscores that true innovation often arises from the public sector, including universities and research funded through grants, challenging the common notion of individual heroism driving technological breakthroughs.

We further discuss the dynamics of power in technology, noting that the creators, rather than the users, often reap the most significant benefits. This concentration of power and wealth illustrates that technology is inherently directed by the values and objectives of its developers. The conversation concludes by examining how different global regions, particularly the US, China, and the EU, approach technological development, each offering unique insights into ethical usage and the unstoppable progression of green technologies

Reimagine is a podcast with host Babak Behrad, brought to you by Society Lab.