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
Episode 2492: Daniel Bessner on how Trump is a natural outgrowth of FDR
Episode 2491: Richard Kreitner 0n 6 Jews, 7 Opinions and the American Civil War
Episode 2490: Stephen Witt explains the rise of NVIDIA and its relentless CEO Jensen Huang
Episode 2489: Gianna Toboni on whether Death Row Prisoners have the Right to Die With Dignity
Episode 2488: Diane Coyle on Measuring the Good Life
Episode 2487: Keach Hagey on Sam Altman's Superpower
Episode 2486: Bethanne Patrick on how our Facebook generation has gotten the Gatsby we deserve
Episode 2485: Paul Rice on why Tariffs are dumb
Episode 2484: David Masciotra on how every day has become April Fools Day in Trumpian America
Episode 2483: Peter Wehner on the ethical darkness that has fallen upon America
Episode 2482: Is AI really about to change the publishing industry?
Episode 2481: Jonathan Rauch on The Resistance to Trump 2.0
Episode 2480: Dr Andy Lazris on how Big Pharma controls the American healthcare system