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
Sep 12, 2025 • 39min
Rational Exuberance: Why $3 Trillion in AI Investment is Mathematical Certainty, not Madness
Keith Teare, publisher of That Was The Week and techno-determinist, argues that the $3 trillion investment in AI is not just rational but predestined for success. He dismantles skepticism around AI, claiming it will add $20 trillion to global GDP by 2035, emphasizing its potential for global accessibility and economic growth. Teare contrasts today’s AI boom with previous tech revolutions, highlighting its unparalleled business model. He envisions a future where innovation thrives alongside economic expansion, reshaping the fabric of society.
Sep 12, 2025 • 52min
From Dodgers Top Draft Pick to Harvard Trained Middle Eastern Maven: Does the American Dream Still Exist?
David Lesch, a Trinity University professor and Middle East expert, details his improbable journey from a Dodgers draft pick to a biographer of Bashar al-Assad. Alongside Catherine Nixon Cooke, his biographer, they discuss how privilege shaped his drastic pivot into diplomacy. They delve into the complexities of failure as a stepping stone and the realities of the American Dream. Insights on historical contexts and the importance of listening in geopolitical issues make this a fascinating exploration of personal reinvention amidst global challenges.
Sep 11, 2025 • 39min
We're Burning 500 Million Years of Earth's History in a Few Decades: So Stop Pretending Recycling Will Save the Planet
Peter Brannen, an award-winning science writer and author, discusses the alarming environmental crisis we're facing today. He emphasizes that we are recklessly burning 500 million years of Earth's history in decades, warning that simply recycling isn't enough to save the planet. Brannen reveals the dual nature of carbon dioxide, essential for life yet a potential destroyer, and critiques the limitations of electric vehicles in addressing climate change. He stresses the urgency for systemic action and innovative solutions to combat rising emissions.
15 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 44min
The Godfather of Security, Bruce Schneier, Rewires Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government and Citizenship
Bruce Schneier, the Godfather of Security and a celebrated cryptographer, dives into how AI could reshape our democracy. He emphasizes the need to adapt archaic political systems to modern technology. While expressing optimism about AI's potential to promote democratization, Schneier warns that without reforming existing political structures, it could exacerbate existing inequalities. He highlights that AI is already woven into daily life and stresses the importance of embedding values into these technologies to safeguard democratic integrity.
Sep 9, 2025 • 46min
Here Comes the Sunstein: Cass Sunstein on Why American Liberalism Now Needs Defending More Than Ever
In this engaging discussion, Harvard scholar and former advisor Cass Sunstein argues for a robust defense of American liberalism amidst current political pressures. He proposes that liberalism, embodying freedom and pluralism, is a big tent that includes figures from Reagan to FDR. Sunstein emphasizes the need for 'experiments in living' and warns against illiberalism as a threat to freedom. He also reflects on the role of empathy in understanding differing identities and urges a renewed commitment to core liberal values in today's charged political landscape.
Sep 9, 2025 • 43min
Can We Get To 2125? Humanity's Most Existential Threats Over the Next 100 Years
Gary F. Bengier, a writer, philosopher, and technologist, dives into humanity's biggest threats for the next century: climate change, nuclear war, and the rise of robots. He emphasizes the importance of concentrating on these core issues without getting sidetracked by lesser worries. Bengier warns of the interconnectedness of these challenges, where a nuclear conflict could hinder efforts to combat climate change. Ultimately, his pragmatic approach suggests that if we focus on these three threats, we might navigate to 2125, albeit with uncertainties looming.
Sep 8, 2025 • 39min
The Art of a Deal with the Devil: on Faustian Bargains from Shakespeare and Goethe to Thomas Mann and Donald Trump
Ed Simon, a cultural historian and author of 'Devil's Contract', dives into the timeless appeal of Faustian Bargains. He reflects on how these deals represent our irrationality, as people knowingly choose self-destructive paths. Simon links the literary origins of Faust to today's political landscape, drawing parallels with figures like Donald Trump. The discussion extends to modern implications in technology and politics, raising questions about the moral dilemmas tied to our choices in the digital age.
Sep 7, 2025 • 56min
When the United Nations Actually Mattered: Remembering the Burmese Schoolteacher who Ran the U.N. in its Glory Days
Thant Myint-U, a Cambridge University historian and grandson of former UN Secretary-General U Thant, reflects on the UN's peak influence during the 1960s. He shares insights on how U Thant played a pivotal role in averting nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis, facilitating critical communication between superpowers. The discussion highlights forgotten history, exploring the complexities of diplomacy and peace-making in a post-colonial world. Myint-U urges a renewed focus on the UN's mission amidst current global conflicts, especially in Gaza and Ukraine.
Sep 6, 2025 • 36min
How Evil 'Big Car' Has Killed More People Than World War II
David Obst, a former investigative reporter and author of "Saving Ourselves From Big Car," reveals shocking truths about the auto industry. He argues that lead in gasoline has caused more deaths than World War II, a claim that raises eyebrows. Obst also insists electric vehicles aren't a safe alternative due to lead in their batteries, citing incidents like Tesla fires. He critiques ‘Big Car’ for hiding the dangers of lead for decades, advocating for a future without cars by highlighting successful car-free communities as models for urban living.
Sep 5, 2025 • 58min
The Double Life of Robert McNamara: How America's 'Best and Brightest' Led the Nation into Vietnam While Knowing the War Was Unwinnable
In this engaging discussion, Philip Taubman, co-author of "McNamara At War," delves into the complex life of Robert McNamara, the controversial Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War. Taubman reveals how McNamara, while privately lamenting the war's futility, remained loyally bound to LBJ, illustrating the moral quandaries of leadership. He uncovers new documents that expose this tragic double life, emphasizing that McNamara's legacy embodies the failure of America's postwar meritocracy and the profound moral dilemmas faced by those in power.
