Tech Won't Save Us

Jacob Silverman discusses Silicon Valley's support for Trump, Peter Thiel's influence, tech billionaires backing Trump financially, and the impact of tech leaders on political narratives.

Sasha Luccioni discusses the environmental impact of generative AI, highlighting companies' rising emissions and struggles to meet climate goals. The chapter explores the energy consumption differences between traditional AI and generative AI, and the push for general AI models driven by major tech companies. It also addresses the lack of transparency in obtaining data on GPU energy usage and the tension between profit-driven tech companies and environmental responsibility.

Author David Gerard discusses Jack Dorsey's departure from Bluesky, his Bitcoin enthusiasm, and tech vision. They explore crypto ideologies, social media challenges, and the rise of alternative platforms post-Elon Musk's influence.

Guest Jason Koebler discusses the AI-generated spam on Facebook, the platform's lack of control, and the concept of the 'zombie internet.' They explore AI altering content, Facebook's decline, and the impact on user behavior. Also covered are the financial benefits of AI content and changes in the platform's algorithm.

Jason Hickel discusses how technology in a degrowth society would prioritize collective welfare over profit. They explore the urgent need for sustainable production and the contrasting approaches of green growth vs. degrowth scenarios. The conversation highlights challenges in decarbonization, rethinking production for a democratic economy, and addressing global North-South disparities in energy consumption.

tante, a tech writer and Luddite, joins to discuss Europe's tech challenges, contrasting US and China, EU's tech regulations, France vs. Germany tech innovation, competition with US giants, redefining tech innovation with social values.

Tech culture reporter Nitasha Tiku discusses Silicon Valley's ties with Gulf monarchies for AI funding. Topics include the ethical dilemmas of tech companies, concerns over human rights violations, and the complex geopolitical dynamics shaping the tech industry's relationships with authoritarian regimes.

Joseph Cox joins to discuss FBI's use of Anom to crack down on criminals globally. They explore criminal evolution to encrypted phones, FBI's pursuit of encrypted networks, Dubai's cooperation, inter-agency collaboration, French military police hacking, pandemic adaptations, and ethical surveillance considerations.

Nora Kenworthy, author and associate professor, discusses the reliance on GoFundMe for healthcare costs, exposing inequalities. They dissect societal reliance on crowdfunding, stigma around public support, and the need for systemic change in healthcare financing.

Gil Duran discusses Balaji Srinivasan's 'tech Zionism' plan in SF and Silicon Valley's threat to democracy. They explore tech billionaires' political influence, media manipulation, and the push towards post-democratic sovereign mini-nations. The podcast delves into false crime perceptions, funding imbalances, and the controversial tech city project proposal in California.