Episode 2310: Why Progressives must become "Yes People" on Technology
In this week’s That Was The Week round up of tech news, Andrew and Keith Teare discuss the need for progressives to become what Keith calls “yes people” on technology. At the moment, he argues, their reactionary “no” on tech is handing MAGA conservatives and their Silicon Valley backers a free pass to win the debate about the future. While Keith and Andrew aren’t always on the same page about the need to regulate Big Tech, they are in complete agreement that progressives - both inside and outside Silicon Valley - need to liberate themselves of their nostalgia for the industrial 20th century and embrace the digital future.
Keith Teare is the founder and CEO of SignalRank Corporation. Previously, he was executive chairman at Accelerated Digital Ventures Ltd., a U.K.-based global investment company focused on startups at all stages. Teare studied at the University of Kent and is the author of “The Easy Net Book” and “Under Siege.” He writes regularly for TechCrunch and publishes the “That Was The Week” newsletter.
Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.
Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe
Trump-Epstein: Jason Pack on the Axis of Disorder
Stuck, Stuck, Stuck, Stuck: Maya Kornberg on Congress as a Four-Alarm Fire
No, It's Not Only Social Media: Ross Greene on Why Our Kids Aren't Okay
Fresh Hell at 3 AM: Peter Bale on the View of America From Down Under
Different Minds Are Great: David Oppenheimer on the Diversity Principle
The Silicon Gods Must Have Their Blood: How Public Venture Capital Might Kill Venture Capitalism
The Dangerous Myth of Neutrality Brian Soucek on Why Universities Should Take Sides
Progressive Populism Prevails: Charles Derber on How to Fight the Oligarchy
He Was Somebody: David Masciotra Remembers Jesse Jackson
Books Are Dying (Again): Bethanne Patrick on the Enshittification of the Book Biz
Protesting the Protesters: Bruce Robbins on the Protests over Vietnam, Gaza and Minneapolis
Mercy Costs Money: Emily Galvin Almanza on the Price of Criminal Justice in America
Two Years Till We're Cooked: The Death of White Collar Work and Other Human Things