Edward Ongweso Jr.

Edward Ongweso, Jr., a writer for the Tech Bubble newsletter and co-host of This Machine Kills, dives deep into the unsettling merging of gambling and technology. He discusses how our lives are increasingly gamified, critiquing the profit-driven motivations behind tech and social media. Ongweso sheds light on the risks of frictionless payment systems that echo gambling accessibility. He also examines the implications of online gambling marketing targeting younger audiences, and how these trends reflect broader societal issues, potentially reshaping identities and politics.

Edward Ongweso Jr., a Senior Researcher at Security in Context and co-host of This Machine Kills, dives into the political economy of technology. He addresses the rise of surveillance culture and its impact on marginalized communities. Ongweso critiques libertarian ideals while advocating for community engagement and mutual aid. He also explores the pitfalls of cryptocurrency and its effects on human relationships. With insights into journalism and politics, he emphasizes the need for collaborative approaches to societal challenges.

Join Robert Evans, a savvy podcaster from 'It Could Happen Here', Gare Davis, a thoughtful contributor, and Edward Ongweso Jr., a sharp tech writer, as they dive into the chaos of CES 2025. They humorously dissect the bizarre life of John McAfee and the absurdity of tech conventions. The trio reflects on AI's real impact on jobs, critiques the industry's repetitive trends, and shares frustrations about voice assistants. Expect witty anecdotes mixed with incisive commentary on the future of technology!

Edward Ongweso Jr., finance editor at Logics Magazine, joins to critique tech journalist Kara Swisher's industry narratives and flaws in access journalism. They discuss Swisher's rebranding attempts, NFT promotion, and biases in tech reporting. The podcast delves into the power dynamics in tech journalism, challenges of critiquing tech giants, and the importance of transparency in industry relationships.

In this engaging discussion, Edward Ongweso Jr, a Brooklyn-based writer and co-host of This Machine Kills, delves into the complexities of 'artificial intelligence.' He critiques how the term obscures corporate motivations and draws surprising parallels between modern technology and historic labor exploitation on plantations. The conversation reveals how surveillance capitalism evolved post-World War II, linking military and civilian innovations, and explores the authoritarian tendencies within Silicon Valley that threaten democratic values.