Ben Tarnoff

Ben Tarnoff, a writer focusing on the tech industry, discusses the rise of tech worker militancy and the backlash from corporate leaders. He highlights how younger workers are challenging the status quo. Jody Dean, a political science professor and author of 'Capital's Grave,' delves into neo-feudalism, analyzing the implications of this evolving economic structure. Together, they explore the cultural and political shifts within Silicon Valley and the precarious nature of modern labor, revealing a deepening psychological landscape influenced by increasing anxieties.

Paris Marx is joined by Ben Tarnoff to discuss the ELIZA chatbot created by Joseph Weizenbaum in the 1960s and how it led him to develop a critical perspective on AI and computing that deserves more attention during this wave of AI hype. Ben Tarnoff writes about technology and politics. He is a founding editor of Logic, and author of Internet for the People: The Fight for Our Digital Future. You can follow Ben on Twitter at @bentarnoff.Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Follow the podcast (@techwontsaveus) and host Paris Marx (@parismarx) on Twitter, and support the show on Patreon.The podcast is produced by Eric Wickham and part of the Harbinger Media Network.Also mentioned in this episode:Ben wrote a long article about Weizenbaum and what we can learn from his work for The Guardian.Paris wrote a skeptical perspective on AI hype and the promises of ChatGPT in Disconnect.Zachary Loeb has also written about Weizenbaum’s work and perspective on AI and computing.Support the show