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
Aug 22, 2025 • 40min
From Mean Streets to Wall Street: How Trump, Koch, and the other Gods of New York Remade America
Jonathan Mahler, author of 'The Gods of New York' and a New York Times writer, discusses the chaotic transformation of New York City in the 1980s. He portrays pivotal figures like Trump and Giuliani as they transitioned from tabloid icons to powerful players. Mahler explores how this decade created a blueprint for modern America, driven by neoliberalism and rising inequalities. He also delves into race relations, the impact of Wall Street on urban revival, and what the future holds for a city grappling with its identity amidst socio-economic challenges.
Aug 21, 2025 • 44min
Move Fast and Fix the World: Here Comes the Sun in the Nick of Time
In this engaging conversation, Bill McKibben, environmental thinker and founder of Third Act, shares his insights from his new book, Here Comes the Sun. He highlights solar energy as the cheapest and most transformative solution for the climate crisis, urging immediate action before time runs out. McKibben discusses the rapid buildout of solar infrastructure, especially in China, and challenges the U.S. to rethink its energy policies. He also explores innovative ways solar can benefit agriculture, merging sustainability with food production for a viable future.
Aug 20, 2025 • 36min
The Redistricting Apocalypse: How Chief Justice Roberts Let All the Evil Spirits out of American Democracy
David Daley, author of 'Antidemocratic' and gerrymandering expert, discusses the alarming impact of Chief Justice Roberts' 2019 decision that effectively released partisan gerrymandering from judicial scrutiny. He likens this to a scene from 'Ghostbusters' where evil spirits escape. Daley reveals that this has resulted in a political landscape dominated by non-competitive districts, threatening the very essence of American democracy. He advocates for urgent reforms to restore fairness and representation in the electoral process amid rising concerns over voter suppression.
Aug 19, 2025 • 41min
Back to the Digital Future: Why the Future of AI Healthcare Might be a Return to the Gig Economy
In this discussion, Robert Pearl, former Kaiser Permanente Chief and Stanford professor, proposes that the future of AI healthcare might echo the gig economy, likening it to Uber and Airbnb. He predicts freelance doctors will guide patients in utilizing AI tools for chronic condition management. Pearl explores two healthcare models: expensive FDA-regulated tech vs. affordable clinician-led training. He expresses skepticism about current healthcare leadership, emphasizing the need for more empathetic AI integration and questioning if it will truly uplift patient and doctor experiences.
Aug 18, 2025 • 44min
From Scrubbing Toilets to Talking around the Water Cooler: Why AI Won't Kill the Jobs of Those Who Clean Up Our Mess
Mark Eltringham, publisher of Workplace Insight, delves into the often-overlooked dignity of essential workers, like those who clean our spaces. He critiques the solipsism in discussions about AI and its impact on jobs, emphasizing that many workers are left out of the conversation. Eltringham highlights the uneven effects of technology on job types and the need to recognize the value of all work, especially in our AI-centric world. He encourages listeners to acknowledge hidden labor that keeps society functioning, pushing for broader discourse on the future of work.
Aug 17, 2025 • 57min
Nostalgia vs. Progress: The Left's Dilemma in Post-Industrial America
David Masciotra, a writer exploring the American dream, joins Soli Ozel, a leading Turkish intellectual. They dive into the left's dilemma between nostalgia and progress in post-industrial America. The conversation highlights Christopher Lasch's critique of elites and the romanticization of the working class. They dissect how Trump's coalition blurs class lines, emphasizing that delivering material benefits doesn't guarantee electoral support. Ultimately, they argue that redefining progress is essential in today's complex political landscape.
Aug 16, 2025 • 43min
When AI Breaks Your Heart: The Week Nothing Changed in Silicon Valley
Keith Teare, publisher of That Was The Week, shares insights on the emotional bonds users form with AI, highlighting how changes in ChatGPT’s personality left many users heartbroken. He critiques Silicon Valley's persistent structures, revealing that 40% of venture capital is still concentrated in just ten deals. The discussion touches on the vital role storytelling plays in navigating tech advancements, as well as the intriguing concept of integrating 'maternal instincts' into AI development, raising questions about innovation and safety in technology.
Aug 15, 2025 • 45min
From Brazilian Model to Nuclear Advocate: How one Woman's Radical Climate Anxiety is Generating a "Rad Future"
Isabelle Boemeke, a former Brazilian model and nuclear advocate, takes a deep dive into her journey from social media influencer to climate champion. She discusses the surprising bipartisan support for nuclear energy and the myths surrounding its safety. The emotional weight of climate anxiety among younger generations is a focal point, as is the need for accessible scientific discourse. Boemeke argues that nuclear energy is vital for combating climate change and emphasizes the complex dynamics surrounding traditional power sources, including the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant.
Aug 14, 2025 • 37min
Forget AI—How Bio-Threats and Network Collapse Are the Real Existential Threats to Humanity
Martin Rees, a renowned British cosmologist and co-founder of Cambridge’s Centre for Existential Risk, shares his insightful views on humanity's most pressing threats. He argues that bio-threats and network collapse are far more dangerous than AI, highlighting the risks posed by engineered pathogens and our fragile global infrastructure. Rees warns that complete dependence on interconnected systems could lead to catastrophic failures in mere days. Instead of fearing AI's superintelligence, he believes we should focus on these overlooked existential risks.
Aug 13, 2025 • 22min
AI Godfather Geoffrey Hinton warns that We're Creating 'Alien Beings that "Could Take Over"
Geoffrey Hinton, the godfather of AI and a 2024 Nobel laureate, voices his deep concerns about the potential risks of AI, including the alarming 10-20% chance that it could lead to human extinction. He discusses the short-term threats, like cyber attacks, versus long-term dangers of superintelligent AI. Hinton proposes creating 'AI mothers' with protective instincts towards humans as a solution. He grapples with the uncertainty surrounding AI's evolution, emphasizing the critical need for responsible development.
