Keen On America
Andrew Keen
Nobody asks sharper or more impertinent questions than Andrew Keen. In KEEN ON, Andrew cross-examines the world’s smartest people on politics, economics, history, the environment, and tech. If you want to make sense of our complex world, check out the daily questions and the answers on KEEN ON.
Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best-known technology and politics broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running show How To Fix Democracy and the author of four critically acclaimed books about the future, including the international bestselling CULT OF THE AMATEUR.
Keen On is free to listen to and will remain so. If you want to stay up-to-date on new episodes and support the show please subscribe to Andrew Keen’s Substack. Paid subscribers will soon be able to access exclusive content from our new series Keen On America. keenon.substack.com
Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best-known technology and politics broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running show How To Fix Democracy and the author of four critically acclaimed books about the future, including the international bestselling CULT OF THE AMATEUR.
Keen On is free to listen to and will remain so. If you want to stay up-to-date on new episodes and support the show please subscribe to Andrew Keen’s Substack. Paid subscribers will soon be able to access exclusive content from our new series Keen On America. keenon.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 20, 2025 • 50min
Chris Matthews on Robert F. Kennedy: Ten Reasons Why Bobby Still Matters
Chris Matthews, a seasoned political commentator and author known for his deep dive into Robert F. Kennedy's life, celebrates Bobby's enduring relevance. He highlights how Bobby's vulnerability made him relatable and emphasizes the moral transformation he underwent after witnessing civil rights violence. Matthews shares Bobby's crucial lesson on conceding defeat as vital for democracy, explores his complex relationships with figures like MLK and LBJ, and reminisces about the impact of the Kennedy legacy, all while illustrating why Bobby still matters today.
Nov 19, 2025 • 44min
One Battle After Another in Hollywood: Why Gen Z Has Abandoned Cinema and What It Says About American Culture
Cultural commentator David Masciotra joins to dissect Hollywood's recent troubles and why Gen Z is disengaging from cinema. He discusses the irony of 25 films flopping despite quality offerings and analyzes Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another' as a cultural touchstone. They explore the success of female leads like Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone, contrasting their appeal with a nostalgic male-centric industry. Masciotra also critiques the lack of engagement from young audiences, highlighting evolving gender dynamics in film.
Nov 18, 2025 • 39min
Student Debt as Modern American Serfdom: A Mother Stole $200,000 in Her Daughter's Name
Kristin Collier, a university professor and author of "What Debt Demands," shares her shocking story of discovering $200,000 in fraudulent student loans taken out by her mother. She explores how modern student debt resembles serfdom, with significant reforms making it nearly impossible to discharge during bankruptcy. Kristin advocates for debt cancellation and free public education, drawing parallels with global models. She highlights the emotional toll of debt and the need for systemic change to prevent financial instability.
Nov 17, 2025 • 34min
Keen on Hispanic America: How Latino TV Networks Reshaped American Politics and Culture
Javier Marin, a Latino media entrepreneur and historian, discusses the monumental growth and influence of Hispanic television in the United States. He reveals that the U.S. is now the world’s second-largest Spanish-speaking country, driven by a surge in the Latino population. Marin explores how networks like Univision and Telemundo became powerful political players, influencing electoral outcomes while grappling with foreign ownership issues. He also highlights the cultural impact of these networks, from soccer's rise to the preservation of Latino identities in media.
Nov 16, 2025 • 46min
Is There An Orchestrated Moral Panic Against AI? Or Is This Just Another Figment of a Paranoid Silicon Valley?
In this discussion, Keith Teare, a veteran Silicon Valley entrepreneur, and Nirit Weissblatt, a researcher focused on technology communication, delve into the recent claims of a moral panic surrounding AI. Weissblatt argues that narratives of AI doom are organized and funded by influential figures, while Teare shares his skepticism about these narratives. They explore how young talent is drawn into existential-risk dialogue and the discrepancies in motivations among major AI players like OpenAI and Anthropic, questioning whether fears are based on valid concerns or mere conspiracies.
Nov 15, 2025 • 43min
What Yogi Berra can teach Silicon Valley: From Tulip and Railway Manias to Dotcom and AI Bubbles
Aman Verjee, a venture capitalist and author, explores the intriguing patterns of financial bubbles, delving into historical phenomena like tulip mania and the dotcom boom. He argues that today’s AI market may echo past frenzies but is more complex, as today’s tech giants are profitable. Verjee shares insights from his time at PayPal, discussing how speculative booms can sometimes lay the groundwork for lasting innovation. He also addresses the challenges of predicting market crashes and reflects on the potential risks of AI-driven investments.
Nov 14, 2025 • 40min
The Case for American Power: Why Hypocrisy is the Price of Idealism
Shadi Hamid, a Washington Post columnist and author, presents a provocative take on U.S. power in the world. He argues America, despite its flaws, is still preferable to authoritarian regimes like China and Russia. Hamid reveals a dramatic decline in pride among progressives and warns of the dangers of self-loathing. He intriguingly views hypocrisy as a necessary byproduct of striving for ideals. Through his personal journey from anti-war activism to advocating for moral leadership, he insists America must continually aim high, even if perfection remains elusive.
Nov 13, 2025 • 46min
Obama as Gorbachev and Trump as Yeltsin: How America is Like the Soviet Union Before Its Collapse
Mikhail Zygar, a Russian-born journalist and author of *The Dark Side of the Earth*, connects the moral exhaustion of late-Soviet society with contemporary America. He argues that the U.S. faces a similar sense of nihilism as the Soviet Union before its collapse. Zygar intriguingly parallels Barack Obama with Gorbachev and Donald Trump with Yeltsin, suggesting America's future may have a Putin-like figure looming. He emphasizes how ordinary citizens can alter history, recalling the pivotal role of Emma Yazov during the Soviet coup.
Nov 13, 2025 • 33min
Dr Stranglove 2.0: Silicon Valley as the New Trillion Dollar Military-Industrial Complex
William Hartung, a Senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute and co-author of The Trillion Dollar War Machine, dives into the alarming transformation of Silicon Valley into a modern military-industrial complex. He discusses how tech giants like Palantir are outpacing traditional defense contractors and critiques the escalating $1.5 trillion defense budget, which compromises vital social programs. Hartung also highlights Peter Thiel's controversial influence and warns against the risks of militarized AI, all while advocating for a more nuanced understanding of U.S. foreign policy.
Nov 12, 2025 • 36min
The Handmaid's Tale Is No Longer Fiction—Welcome to the Brave New MAGA World of Trad Wives and State Fecundity
Irin Carmon, a journalist and author of *Unbearable*, shares her insights on the disturbing trends in America's pregnancy landscape. She discusses the alarming maternal mortality rates and systemic discrimination faced by women of color. The conversation delves into how MAGA's pronatalist rhetoric contradicts essential support for families and ties to white supremacy. Irin also highlights personal stories of women enduring pregnancy-related injustices, emphasizing the need for compassionate care and the urgency to document these ongoing issues.
