A People's History of Tech with New York-based Sara M. Watson

A People's History of Tech with New York-based Sara M. Watson

Author: Caitlin Begg April 10, 2024 Duration: 33:45

Radical futurist, tech critic, independent industry analyst, and interdisciplinary researcher Sara M. Watson and I discuss "A People's History of Technology" in this episode, which she co-founded and curates (with Emily Best). Recently featured at SXSW and Sundance, A People’s History of Tech is a collective storytelling project. Popular histories of technology often focus on lone inventors or technical innovations. A People's History of Tech wants to capture the full spectrum of the lived experience of technology.

We also speak about Sara's prior research at Oxford Internet Institute re: data privacy and social impacts of technology.

Additionally, I reference University of Cambridge Professor Caroline Bassett's "Anti-Computing".

You can learn more and submit your story to A People's History of Tech here, and you can keep up with Sara via her LinkedIn and website.

A People's History of Tech will also be at The Conference 2024 in Malmö, Sweden (27-28 August)!


There's a quiet but persistent feeling that something essential is getting lost in our digital shuffle. Progression to Analog is a space to examine that feeling, hosted by sociologist and Authentic Social founder Caitlin Begg. This isn't a nostalgic retreat, but a thoughtful exploration of how reintroducing analog elements-whether in communication, work, or leisure-can reshape our daily experience toward something more intentional and, ultimately, more human. Each conversation in this podcast moves beyond simple tool-swapping to ask deeper questions about presence, connection, and the architecture of our attention. You'll hear discussions that weave sociological insight with practical reflection, considering how the textures of a less-mediated life can influence our relationships, creativity, and sense of self. New episodes arrive every Monday, offering a regular pause to consider the pace and quality of the everyday. Tune in for a series that treats the analog not as an antiquated concept, but as a meaningful progression.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 39

Progression to Analog
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My name is Caitlin Begg and I’m the founder of Authentic Social and sociological researcher. I wrote my 2016 Harvard sociology thesis on technology’s effect on relationships, and since 2022 I’ve been conducting independe…