That Was The Year in Tech: When Nothing Happened (except Everything, Everywhere, All at Once)


Author: Andrew Keen December 28, 2025 Duration: 42:02
Podcast episode
That Was The Year in Tech: When Nothing Happened (except Everything, Everywhere, All at Once)

That was the year in tech. When nothing and yet everything happened. A year betwixt and between, simultaneously revolutionary and uneventful. That's the ironic conclusion Keith Teare and I reach about Silicon Valley in 2025. It's as if the AI revolution is changing the world without us fully noticing. AI has become electricity—ubiquitous and essential, yet barely noticed. So what will happen on the tech front (or not happen) in 2026? Will it be another year in which nothing happened (except everything, everywhere, all at once). Or are we reaching 1789 or 1917 or 1989—a grand historical year where the logjam breaks and tech formally takes over the world? A true end and beginning of history. The first real year of the tech 21st century.

Keen On America 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

More episodes

Duration: 32:58
EPISODE 1973: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to the LA Times book critic, Bethanne Patrick, about six intriguing new fiction and non-fiction books to read in February.Bethanne Patrick maintains a storied place in the…

Duration: 34:54
In episode 1971, Andrew talks to Charan Ranganath, author of WHY WE REMEMBER, who unlocks memory's power to hold on to what matters about our lives.CHARAN RANGANATH is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and direc…

Duration: 39:11
In episode 1970, Andrew talks to Debby Irving, author of WAKING UP WHITE, about how she discovered herself and the story of American racial injustice.Debby Irving brings to racial justice the perspective of working in no…

Duration: 40:53
In episode 1968, Andrew talks to Peter McGraw, author of SOLO, about how remaining single offers the promise of a remarkable life.Dr. Peter McGraw is a bachelor, behavioral economist, and business school professor at the…

Duration: 31:29
In episode 1967, Andrew talks to Matt Gatton, author of THE SHADOWS OF SOCRATES, about the heresy, war and treachery behind the trial of Socrates. Matt Gatton is a scholar based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a pioneer o…

Duration: 36:20
In episode 1964, Andrew talks to Marshall Poe, founder of theNew Books Network, about why there's no such as intellectual objectivity but why we are going to miss it when it's gone.Marshall Poe is former history professo…

Duration: 38:23
In episode 1963, Andrew talks to Gary S. Cross, author of FREE TIME, about the history of the elusive ideal of leisure time.Gary S. Cross is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Modern History in the Department of History…

Duration: 32:29
EPISODE 1962: In our weekly KEEN ON wrap of tech news with Keith Teare, author of the THAT WAS THE WEEK newletter, Keith explains how A.I. is about to revolutionize not just Hollywood but also the art (and science) of ma…

Duration: 35:49
In episode 1961, Andrew talks to David Kirkpatrick, author of THE FACEBOOK EFFECT, about Facebook's unique economic profitability and equally historic moral unprofitability. David Kirkpatrick is a journalist, commentator…

Duration: 41:20
n episode 1960, Andrew talks to Paul Starobin, author of PUTIN'S EXILES, about the Russians fighting to build a better country.Journalist and author Paul Starobin is a former contributing editor of The Atlantic and a for…

Duration: 38:11
In episode 1959, Andrew talks to Jeffrey Rosen, author of THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, about how classical writers inspired the lives of the Founders and defined the ideals of the American Republic.Keen On is a reader-suppo…

Logo
Select station
VOL