A Sense of Rebellion
A Podcast Series by Evgeny Morozov.Forget the military or Silicon Valley: we owe our smart technologies - from toothbrushes to beds - to a band of eccentric 1960s hippies. Hidden away in a secretive, privately funded lab on Boston’s waterfront, these visionaries developed intimate, personal technologies a decade before Steve Jobs.But their rebellion was fraught with obstacles: the military-industrial complex, corporate resistance, and the founders’ larger-than-life personalities. As Silicon Valley adopted their ideas, the lab's vision for more humane and diverse technologies was twisted into something entirely different.A decade in the making, this podcast unravels their captivating and often tragic tale. It's all here: Cold War psychiatry, Maoism, LSD, the Rockefellers, Scientology, CIA’s forays into extrasensory perception, and even the advent of tech libertarianism.
Latest episodes
Jun 14, 2024 • 1h 6min
Episode 3: The Hope Market
MILFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1971: As the '60s end, the Environmental Ecology Lab finds new purpose at Avery Johnson's secluded woodland quarry. Here, Ecology, Tool & Toy emerges—a cybernetic commune blending hippie ideals with cutting-edge tech. Warren Brodey seems driven by an enigmatic quest, but what is he truly seeking? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
4 snips
Jun 14, 2024 • 56min
Episode 2: 33 Lewis Wharf
Dive into the mysterious Environmental Ecology Lab of Boston's 1968 waterfront, a project fueled by elite connections and avant-garde ambitions. Hear about emotional complexities and tragic events among the team, including a shocking death. Explore the evolution of a military engineer who embraces counterculture in Beacon Hill. Delve into the ethical dilemmas of technology in psychiatry and healthcare, where innovative designs meet personal well-being. Witness the dynamics of a conference filled with hidden truths and personal conflicts.
14 snips
Jun 14, 2024 • 59min
Episode 1: A Bookstore in Paris
Tech critic Evgeny Morozov examines the enigmatic legacy of Warren Brodey, a 1960s psychiatrist linked to CIA operations and Maoist movements. The podcast delves into Brodey's unconventional visions for the internet, his ties to MIT, and his forgotten contributions in various fields. It also explores the chaotic and revolutionary atmosphere of 1960s Boston, featuring the sexual revolution, Vietnam War, and innovative dance projects.
Jun 7, 2024 • 3min
Trailer: A Sense of Rebellion
Explore how a group of 1960s hippies revolutionized technology with personal devices before Steve Jobs. Uncover obstacles like the military-industrial complex and corporate resistance. Dive into Cold War psychiatry, LSD, and CIA's interests in extrasensory perception.
