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
Oct 28, 2025 • 47min
The Vinci Code: How AI is Turning Everyone into James Bond
Anthony Vinci, a former intelligence officer and author of The Fourth Intelligence Revolution, argues that AI is transforming espionage, making everyone potential spies. He emphasizes the need for America to embrace economic espionage to counter China's strategies. Vinci reveals that future intelligence operations will likely be automated, with AI spying on AI. He also warns that ordinary citizens are now targets for intelligence activities and urges caution in managing personal data while fostering better tools for individual decision-making.
Oct 27, 2025 • 41min
Huawei vs Ericsson: How Huawei Turned Sweden's "Neutral" Tech Advantage Into a Cold War Liability
In this engaging conversation, Eva Dou, a Washington Post reporter and author of House of Huawei, reveals the mysteries behind Huawei's rise. She highlights the tech giant's transformation from a seller of phone switches to a leader in AI chips and robotics. Dou also discusses Ren Zhengfei, Huawei's enigmatic founder, and his relationship with the Chinese state, showcasing how state support drives innovation. With Huawei challenging Ericsson's historical dominance, the talk delves into the geopolitical clash between China and the West, emphasizing the implications for global tech leadership.
Oct 26, 2025 • 43min
How Smart is the MAGA Intelligentsia? The Professors, Philosophers, and Trolls who Transformed Rage into a Winning Political Ideology
Laura K. Field, a political theorist and author of Furious Minds, delves into the MAGA intelligentsia's unique blend of timing and marketing over original thought. She argues that their success lies in transforming deep-seated rage into a cohesive political movement, rather than in groundbreaking ideas. The podcast covers the performative nature of their rhetoric, the misogynistic undertones of the new right, and the serious intellectual influences behind figures like Deneen and Vermeule. Field warns that underestimating this movement could lead to significant consequences.
Oct 25, 2025 • 41min
This Is Not a Browser—Did René Magritte Really Predict the End of the Web Age?
In this engaging discussion, Keith Teare, a technology commentator and publisher of That Was The Week, explores the transformative impact of AI on web browsing. He draws fascinating parallels between René Magritte's surrealism and the evolving concept of browsers, suggesting a shift to 'not-a-browser' experiences. Teare delves into how AI interfaces could change user interactions, redefine the advertising model, and centralize publishing. He also discusses the potential future of companies like OpenAI and the implications for user experience in an AI-driven world.
Oct 25, 2025 • 48min
The Panic of the Intellectuals: From Ezra Pound to the Trumpagies of Today
David Mayers, a Boston University historian and author of 'Seekers and Partisans,' explores the lives of American intellectuals exiled during the 1935-1941 crisis years. He draws parallels between historical figures like Ezra Pound and today’s 'Trumpagies,' shedding light on the cultural panic that often exists more in the minds of intellectuals than in reality. Mayers discusses the varied motives behind these exiles, from moral clarity to activism, and emphasizes that, while history doesn't repeat, it certainly rhymes with contemporary disillusionment.
Oct 24, 2025 • 51min
How to Choke Your Enemy: Why America Turned the World Economy into its Weapon of Global Domination
In this engaging conversation, Edward Fishman, an expert in economic statecraft and author of "Chokepoint," delves into how America has transformed the global economy into its chief weapon against adversaries like Iran and China. He argues that sanctions and economic coercion now play a pivotal role in U.S. foreign policy, often overshadowing military action. Fishman critiques Trump's tariffs for misfiring against allies and explains the significance of the dollar in modern sanctions, highlighting the ethical dilemmas that arise from this new form of warfare.
Oct 23, 2025 • 55min
All Religions Are Absurd Because We Are Absurd: How the Internet is Creating the First New Form of Religious Community in 250,000 Years
Reza Aslan, a renowned author and scholar of religion, dives into the transformative power of the internet on religious communities. He discusses how the 'cyber ummah' is challenging traditional authority and giving rise to diverse movements, like LGBTQ Catholics and Quranists. Aslan emphasizes that, despite these changes, the fundamental nature of religion remains absurd, as it is ultimately a human creation. He also explores religion as intertwined with identity and politics, showcasing how online spaces are fostering unprecedented forms of community.
Oct 22, 2025 • 40min
Why the Real Road to Serfdom Runs Through Silicon Valley: Tim Wu on the Extractive Economics of Platform Capitalism
Tim Wu, a prominent lawyer and author whose expertise lies in antitrust and technology policy, delves into the themes of his book, The Age of Extraction. He warns that platform capitalism, exemplified by tech giants like Google and Amazon, poses a significant threat to freedom and economic stability. Wu argues that these companies function as extraction machines, concentrating wealth and power reminiscent of the Gilded Age, and discusses the fragility of centralized systems. He also outlines potential remedies for curbing their dominance, advocating for decentralized power and anti-monopoly measures.
Oct 22, 2025 • 45min
Are We Still Fighting the Hundred Years War? Why Joan of Arc, Agincourt, and the Black Death Aren't Quite Dead
Michael Livingston, a historian from The Citadel and author of Bloody Crowns, dives into the complex legacy of the Hundred Years' War. He argues this pivotal conflict didn’t just end in 1453 but evolved into a 200-year struggle that shaped modern colonial rivalries. He explores how this war forged national identities for France and England, the brutal realities of medieval warfare, and the enduring impact of figures like Joan of Arc. Livingston's insights reveal that understanding this conflict is essential for grasping contemporary geopolitical tensions.
Oct 21, 2025 • 34min
From Cancelled Students to Coddled Autocrats: The Crisis of Free Speech in America
In a gripping discussion, Greg Lukianoff, President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, shares alarming insights on free speech under Trump. He highlights how the administration has adopted tactics reminiscent of the left’s own censorship playbook. Lukianoff critiques major law firms for capitulating to government pressure, discusses the implications of student deportations for speech, and draws historical parallels between Trump-era suppression and past government overreach. He stresses the urgent need for unwavering support of free expression.
