Paris Marx

critic of tech futures | host of tech won’t save us | writer of disconnect | my book “road to nowhere” is out now! | he/they

Website: https://parismarx.com
Podcast: https://techwontsave.us
Newsletter: https://disconnect.blog
Book: https://roadtonowherebook.com

Public Key

npub157rhhk6qgt4lwe4uyktun2pp6vs9wslqg9lp098ep3f5urs3kw7szq8pny

NIP-05 Address

parismarx_at_mastodon.online@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs20pmmmdqy96lhv67zt97f4qsaxgzhg0syzlshjnusc56wpcgm80gprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0d4hhxarj9ecxjmntj5dwk3

Publishing to

relay.momostr.pink

Author Public Key

npub157rhhk6qgt4lwe4uyktun2pp6vs9wslqg9lp098ep3f5urs3kw7szq8pny

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Last Notes

2026-05-07 21:43:23 UTC

Is Muskism set to define the 21st century, in much the same way as Fordism did through the 20th century?
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with @npub1jj2…hssn and @npub1lpt…jzvg to discuss the system Elon Musk has built and the threats it poses for society.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/327_muskism_is_the_new_fordism_w_ben_tarnoff__quinn_slobodian
#tech #elonmusk #muskism #politics #economy #tesla #spacex
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/535/455/482/656/808/original/8fc5701e95e07090.mp4

2026-04-16 17:39:44 UTC

Elon Musk wanted the Cybertruck to be his dream vehicle. Now people are burning alive inside them.
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke to Darr Kerr to explore the safety disaster that the vehicles have become and why regulators aren’t acting faster.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/324_cybertrucks_are_a_safety_disaster_w_dara_kerr
#tech #cybertruck #tesla #elonmusk #evs #safety #politics #cars #automotive
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/415/605/206/102/712/original/cfd2e042a0501f78.mp4

2026-04-09 19:27:20 UTC

Sam Altman has a new plan to make money from generative AI: he wants intelligence to be treated like water or electricity — and we’ll all have to pay him for it.
His chatbots are degrading people’s ability to retain information and think critically. Now he wants to sell smarts back to us.
https://disconnect.blog/make-em-dumb-sell-em-smarts/
#tech #chatgpt #samaltman #artificialintelligence #generativeai

2026-04-09 03:47:23 UTC

Google’s AI Overviews are providing “tens of millions of wrong answers … every hour — and hundreds of thousands every minute.”
wow, i love the AI future!
https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/google-ai-overviews-misinformation
#tech #ai #google #generativeai #artificialintelligence

2026-04-02 18:54:51 UTC

“A chatbot did not kill those children. People failed to update a database, and other people built a system fast enough to make that failure lethal.”
Maven, the program Google was forced to pull out of and Palantir took over, was the system that identified the girls’ school as a target.
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/mar/26/ai-got-the-blame-for-the-iran-school-bombing-the-truth-is-far-more-worrying
#tech #google #palantir #iran #iranwar #politics

2026-04-02 15:13:42 UTC

In the US-Iran war, data centers are a target. Iran has struck several Amazon facilities, including another one just this week in Bahrain.
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with Sam Biddle of The Intercept to dig into why data centers are a target and how the military uses AI.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/322_why_iran_is_attacking_data_centers_w_sam_biddle
#tech #iranwar #datacenters #amazon #iran #ai #artificialintelligence
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/335/750/466/113/361/original/2db5368792327ce8.mp4

2026-04-01 15:36:38 UTC

you can directly connect this to how she rails against tech regulation and even people using dumbphones. a world less addicted to phones and social media is not something she can fathom (or in her interest)
https://www.wired.com/story/user-behavior-taylor-lorenz/

2026-03-25 02:21:10 UTC

finland was planning to move its election platform to amazon web services.
after all the threats from the US and concern about how it will use tech dependence against europe, that plan is on ice.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-24/finland-shelves-plan-to-move-election-platform-to-amazon-servers
#tech #europe #finland #elections #politics #digitalsovereignty #amazon

2026-03-23 19:25:33 UTC

Elon Musk took over Twitter and turned it into the anti-woke, fascist-amplifying X.
There’s been debate about whether to stay since he bought it. But seeing how it’s evolved and the recent Grok deepfake scandal, there’s no good argument to stay.
I stopped posting there. You should too.
https://disconnect.blog/its-time-to-stop-posting-on-x/
#tech #grok #twitter #socialmedia #elonmusk #politics

2026-03-12 18:54:26 UTC

The left doesn’t hate technology; we’re just not going to buy into shitty tech because the industry wants us to.
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with Gita Jackson to discuss the problems with AI and digital tech, and why we deserve far better.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/319_the_left_doesnt_hate_technology_w_gita_jackson
#tech #ai #left #generativeai #politics
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/217/717/220/131/416/original/c5e9db5ed1bf475e.mp4

2026-03-05 19:37:00 UTC

The attacks on Iran from the US and Israel further confirm that they’re rogue states operating outside international law. They need to be reined in, but we also need to reduce US leverage over us — which includes getting off US tech and developing alternatives.
The latest Disconnect recap is out now:
https://disconnect.blog/iran-attacks-reinforce-need-to-reduce-us-dependence/
#tech #politics #iran #israel #unitedstates #digitalsovereignty

2026-03-01 16:15:10 UTC

Every month the United States provides even more reason to boycott its products and companies — the strikes on Iran being just the latest.
In light of that, it’s a great time to ditch the products and services of US tech companies. I made a comprehensive guide to help you that I’ve been regularly updating for months.
https://disconnect.blog/getting-off-us-tech-a-guide/
#tech #digitalsovereignty #iran #politics #geopolitics

2026-02-24 05:05:51 UTC

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Respectfully, this is a stupid take. The modern tech industry is the surveillance state. ChatGPT and generative AI do not exist without mass data collection. This isn’t about thought crimes, it’s about people using technology in a way that presents a real threat to people’s lives. We have always had a balance between privacy and safety, and that doesn’t end because the internet and cyberlibertarian ideas that have been formed around it.

2026-02-23 21:45:14 UTC

OpenAI is a menace. Two recent stories make that clearer than ever.
One day you have Sam Altman denigrating humanity to defend AI. The next, WSJ reveals OpenAI could have alerted Canadian police of a potential mass shooter, but refused pressure from employees. That person went on to kill 8 people.
https://disconnect.blog/sam-altmans-anti-human-worldview/
#tech #openai #genai #artificialintelligence #chatgpt #samaltman #cdnpoli #canada

2026-02-22 02:55:42 UTC

OpenAI employees pushed for the company to inform Canadian police about a user they thought would engage in real-world violence months before the person did just that, killing eight people in a horrific attack in Tumbler Ridge.
The company only reached out to police after the shooting had occurred.
https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/openai-employees-raised-alarms-about-canada-shooting-suspect-months-ago-b585df62
#tech #openai #canada #cdnpoli #safety

2026-02-15 22:59:34 UTC

“Paris Marx has offered a guide for how people can get off U.S. tech, highlighting the challenges while supporting individual effort. Doing so should be a national ambition, especially as we consider the risk of the U.S. blocking access to tech.”
my guide: https://disconnect.blog/getting-off-us-tech-a-guide/
article: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-france-is-ditching-american-tech-when-will-canada/
#tech #politics #digitalsovereignty #cdnpoli #canada

2026-02-13 05:36:45 UTC

“Do we want a technology that normalizes and amplifies deception? That transforms privacy into a commodity? A society where a techno-oligarch can interfere, as one of them did yesterday, in the mobile phones of millions of citizens to tell them lies?” the prime minister asked last week. “The answer must be a clear no, and we will not give in.”
https://www.politico.eu/article/spain-sanchez-fight-against-tech-billionaires-musk-durov-personal/
#tech #spain #socialmedia #eutech #regulation #politics

2026-02-13 04:05:30 UTC

The European Commission told TikTok to “change several key features, including disabling infinite scrolling, setting strict screen time breaks and changing its recommender systems. The demand follows the Commission's declaration that TikTok’s design is addictive to users.”
Now do the same for the US services!
https://www.politico.eu/article/tiktok-meta-facebook-instagram-brussels-kill-infinite-scrolling/
#tech #eutech #tiktok #socialmedia #addiction #politics

2026-01-29 15:25:14 UTC

Millions of people were victimized when Elon Musk rolled back the guardrails on Grok, allowing users to churn out explicit deepfakes.
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with Kat Tenbarge to discuss what happened, the shameful response, and what should be done now.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/313_elon_musk_profits_off_non_consensual_deepfakes_w_kat_tenbarge
#tech #grok #elonmusk #x #deepfakes #politics
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/979/075/380/902/416/original/b1ff4db807636ed8.mp4

2026-01-23 21:14:48 UTC

When Elon Musk rolled back Grok safeguards, he enabled millions of people to be victimized. Shamefully, governments did little to protect their citizens.
The X deepfake scandal shows why we need far stricter social media regulation as a stepping stone to new platforms — not just higher age limits.
https://disconnect.blog/x-shows-why-stricter-tech-regulation-is-necessary/
#tech #socialmedia #elonmusk #x #twitter #grok #deepfake #ai #generativeai

2026-01-16 17:39:10 UTC

When countries get hooked on US tech, their governments are constrained in reining in tech’s harms while most of the economic benefits accrue to the United States.
It’s time to break out of that trap — but that means challenging the Silicon Valley model, not creating our own digital colonizers.
https://disconnect.blog/escaping-the-trap-of-us-tech-dependence/
#tech #digitalsovereignty #politics #cdnpoli #cdntech

2026-01-10 18:46:39 UTC

It’s 2026 and generative AI is still at the center of the tech conversation — for better or worse.
In light of that, this week #TechWontSaveUs is replaying a great interview with @npub1dqh…eq5y about OpenAI and the model of AI development pushed by Sam Altman.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/310_we_all_suffer_from_openais_pursuit_of_scale_w_karen_hao_replay
#tech #ai #openai #samaltman #generativeai
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/872/284/574/118/594/original/4f367ffb2082459c.mp4

2026-01-08 17:27:10 UTC

Every day, thousands of women and children are victimized by people on X using the Grok chatbot to generate scantily clad and naked photos of them.
It’s time for governments to take action. Elon Musk’s X should have been banned long ago. They don’t have an excuse to delay any longer.
https://disconnect.blog/elon-musks-x-must-be-banned/
#tech #socialmedia #elonmusk #x #grok #twitter #everythingapp #deepfake

2026-01-05 20:52:37 UTC

For decades, Canadians eagerly rushed onto US tech platforms and services. But now the drawbacks of that dependence are on full display.
For the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, I explain the economic and political consequences of a US-dominated internet — and why digital sovereignty is imperative.
https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/every-data-centre-is-a-u-s-military-base/
#tech #canada #cdnpoli #cdntech #digitalsovereignty #politics

2026-01-04 18:04:20 UTC

Given everything happening right now, I updated this article with options for weather apps, web forms, and translation services — along with some tweaks to existing categories.
I hope it helps your transition off US tech!
https://disconnect.blog/getting-off-us-tech-a-guide/

2026-01-04 00:07:04 UTC

The US invasion of Venezuela is a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter. Celebrating the capture of Maduro, Donald Trump went further, calling it an “attack on sovereignty” itself.
Countries the world over must work together to rein in the United States before it’s too late.
https://disconnect.blog/the-united-states-is-a-rogue-state/
#tech #politics #donaldtrump #venezuela #internationallaw

2025-12-31 20:40:44 UTC

If this year was about getting off US tech, 2026 is the year to reassess the digital revolution — what works, what doesn’t; what to keep, and what to reject.
I’ve only just started to consider what needs to change about how I use digital technology, but I’m excited to learn more next year.
https://disconnect.blog/we-need-to-reassess-our-relationship-to-digital-tech/
#tech #ai #newyear #luddite

2025-12-20 00:58:22 UTC

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And because Tech Won’t Save Us believes in a transparent democracy, here are the vote totals so you know they weren’t rigged after voting was complete!
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/749/172/645/635/295/original/7e0d6b4f1e788cca.png

2025-12-20 00:56:36 UTC

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The results for third place were even closer.
Sam Altman takes the bronze, pushing aside Mark Zuckerberg by a mere two-vote margin!
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/749/170/667/934/408/original/cdd317adaa2c342d.png

2025-12-20 00:48:57 UTC

🚨 THE RESULTS ARE IN 🚨
After a week of voting on 32 of the worst people in the tech industry, we have a winner!
The Worst Person in Tech for 2025 is…
🚀 ELON MUSK 🎉
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/749/139/081/923/512/original/df08a6b8f5787321.png

2025-12-19 14:10:09 UTC

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Live results are not available this round. The winner will be announced on our livestream for Patreon supporters after voting closes at 7pm ET, and soon after on social media.
Become a supporter: https://patreon.com/techwontsaveus
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/746/628/108/239/325/original/ff7e6b77a214456d.png

2025-12-19 14:09:31 UTC

🚨 THE FINAL TWO 🚨
From thirty-two candidates, we’ve now made it to the final round where Elon Musk and Peter Thiel will face off for the crown.
Who will win? You decide!
🗳️ Cast your ballot: https://twsu.forms.app/wpit25-final
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/746/612/956/323/265/original/8e6841574374425d.png

2025-12-18 14:52:53 UTC

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Voting in the Semifinals closes at 9pm ET — so get your votes in early!
The Final Round will start tomorrow morning.
You can see all the results from this round here: https://twsu.forms.app/wpit25-semifinals/report

2025-12-18 14:51:44 UTC

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USAID DESTROYER vs GENOCIDE ENABLER
Vote now: https://twsu.forms.app/wpit25-semifinals
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/741/129/526/035/010/original/b60ce8543dcc2ca7.png

2025-12-18 14:50:48 UTC

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WILL SACRIFICE THE PLANET FOR AI vs ARCHITECT OF TECH-FASCIST PROJECT
Vote now: https://twsu.forms.app/wpit25-semifinals
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/741/126/451/954/148/original/8f7685ae3ed6ba96.png

2025-12-18 14:49:04 UTC

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The winner will be announced tomorrow on our end-of-year livestream for Patreon supporters.
Support the work that goes into making Tech Won’t Save Us by becoming a supporter today: https://patreon.com/techwontsaveus
If you’re not a supporter, the full conversation will be available as a podcast episode next week (and results will also be posted on social media).
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/741/116/892/926/932/original/6a47a40bcf87ba14.png

2025-12-18 14:46:45 UTC

🚨 THE FINAL FOUR 🚨
We’re nearly at the end! 32 candidates have been narrowed down to a nefarious final four. But who will move on to the finals? You must decide!
🗳️ Cast your ballot: https://twsu.forms.app/wpit25-semifinals
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/741/109/765/298/916/original/f2ac9122fa7d264f.png

2025-12-17 14:15:46 UTC

🚨 THE FINAL EIGHT 🚨
We’ve made it to the quarter finals — only two days away from crowning a winner for Worst Person in Tech 2025.
Don’t miss your chance to vote!
🗳️ Cast your ballot: https://twsu.forms.app/wpit2025-qf
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/735/325/585/929/331/original/4c5c2007086a3890.png

2025-12-16 21:00:53 UTC

Netflix made a bold promise that streaming would be cheaper and better than what existed before. It broke that promise to cash in on its audience.
If it captures Warner Discovery, it would not just remake a major studio, but continue degrading culture by further commercializing it.
https://disconnect.blog/netflix-cant-be-allowed-to-buy-warner-discovery/
#tech #netflix #streaming #movies #film #wbd #warner #politics

2025-12-16 14:25:05 UTC

🚨 ROUND TWO STARTS NOW 🚨
We’re down to the final 16 contestants as you decide who will be this year’s Worst Person In Tech!
Each day of this week new matchups will drop until we choose the winner on Friday.
🗳️ Cast your ballot: https://twsu.forms.app/wpit25-round-two
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/729/697/987/584/900/original/d366c9e7a375f34a.png

2025-12-16 01:38:50 UTC

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Just wanted to follow up on this to say I had that wrong. There’s still one more to go in the existing deal in January, then no more after that. Just in case you’re wondering why you hear one more on a future episode.

2025-12-15 16:26:21 UTC

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GIG ECONOMY SHOWDOWN: AIRBNB vs UBER
Vote now: https://twsu.forms.app/worst-person-tech-2025-round-one
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/724/514/675/610/564/original/bcfd9cf1fe87c14f.png

2025-12-15 16:25:17 UTC

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TRUMP CRYPTO/AI CZAR vs SPOTIFY TURNED AI DRONE SELLER
Vote now: https://twsu.forms.app/worst-person-tech-2025-round-one
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/724/510/227/001/734/original/725915b868a58d48.png

2025-12-15 16:24:03 UTC

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EPSTEIN FRIENDS: DARK MAGA FASCIST vs PHILANTHROCAPITALIST
Vote now: https://twsu.forms.app/worst-person-tech-2025-round-one
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/724/505/825/583/710/original/fcfdcb035219a2f2.png

2025-12-15 16:22:19 UTC

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CEO RIVALRY: GOOGLE vs MICROSOFT
Vote now: https://twsu.forms.app/worst-person-tech-2025-round-one
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/724/498/116/922/674/original/8cd2da12700f408f.png

2025-12-15 16:20:51 UTC

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AI FIGHT: MODEL MAKER vs CHIP PUSHER
Vote now: https://twsu.forms.app/worst-person-tech-2025-round-one
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/724/493/087/696/462/original/5f2336d53d373937.png

2025-12-15 16:20:22 UTC

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ACCELERATIONIST DUEL: VENTURE CAPITALIST vs WEAPONS SELLER
Vote now: https://twsu.forms.app/worst-person-tech-2025-round-one
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/724/487/584/974/099/original/cd3ced2967f239f4.png

2025-12-15 16:18:04 UTC

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WHO CAN SCRAMBLE YOUR BRAIN MORE? OPENAI vs TIKTOK
Vote now: https://twsu.forms.app/worst-person-tech-2025-round-one
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/724/482/095/020/549/original/1a365c43d24e42fc.png

2025-12-15 16:16:54 UTC

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GOVERNMENT GUTTERS vs BOOSTER STYLED AS A TRUTH TELLER
Vote now: https://twsu.forms.app/worst-person-tech-2025-round-one
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/724/477/361/886/664/original/7565b6b3668859d8.png

2025-12-15 16:15:42 UTC

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FAR-RIGHT MERCHANT KING vs CARBON MOONSHOT KILLER
Vote now: https://twsu.forms.app/worst-person-tech-2025-round-one
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/724/472/829/054/350/original/130fb64036400f33.png

2025-12-15 16:14:35 UTC

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FASCIST SHOWDOWN: PUPPETEER FUNDER vs VICE PRESIDENT
Vote now: https://twsu.forms.app/worst-person-tech-2025-round-one
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/724/468/462/579/171/original/10eb66e1a24866e7.png

2025-12-15 16:13:21 UTC

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WARNER BROS MERGER FACEOFF: NETFLIX vs PARAMOUNT
Vote now: https://twsu.forms.app/worst-person-tech-2025-round-one
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/724/463/286/057/501/original/6b4fc1701888d492.png

2025-12-15 16:12:08 UTC

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SMARTPHONE MONGER vs NEUROTIC DATA HOARDER
Vote now: https://twsu.forms.app/worst-person-tech-2025-round-one
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/724/458/601/532/201/original/7606f4fa2c9fcb8a.png

2025-12-15 16:10:18 UTC

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The winner will be announced Friday on our end-of-year livestream for Patreon supporters.
Support the work that goes into making Tech Won’t Save Us by becoming a supporter today: https://patreon.com/techwontsaveus

2025-12-15 16:09:59 UTC

🚨 THE BATTLE BEGINS 🚨
Your favorite year-end contest is back. It’s time to choose who will be this year’s Worst Person In Tech for 2025!
Each day of this week new matchups will drop until we choose the winner on Friday.
🗳️ Cast your ballot: https://twsu.forms.app/worst-person-tech-2025-round-one
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/724/438/781/167/570/original/f0ff197b733b6423.png

2025-12-11 18:25:34 UTC

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we had a preexisting deal with them from before i knew that. this is the final ad and we won't be taking any further from them because of that.

2025-12-04 21:12:26 UTC

Every month I put together a bunch of great reads and important tech stories you might have missed.
The latest edition is out now! Become a subscriber to get full access.
https://disconnect.blog/what-you-missed-in-november-2025/
#tech #newsletter #vcs #paramount #hollywood #politics

2025-12-04 18:13:48 UTC

The European Union has been talking about digital sovereignty. It’s not going great in practice.
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with @npub1l7g…nudk to discuss the rollback of tech regulations in Europe under pressure from European companies and the US.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/305_europe_is_gutting_its_tech_regulations_w_aline_blankertz
#tech #digitalsovereignty #eutech #gdpr #aiact #dma #dsa #politics
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/662/651/191/293/726/original/3d12ae1f72ef0d36.mp4

2025-11-07 17:14:53 UTC

Tech companies have plenty of bad ideas they say will improve transportation — but the car remains a menace.
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with @npub1n08…8s5u and @npub1k98…h5kc to discuss the many ways cars harm society and why that must change.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/301_why_we_need_a_war_on_cars_w_doug_gordon_and_sarah_goodyear
#tech #cars #transport #transportation #waroncars #mobility
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/509/536/957/064/231/original/828ea4add38c40de.mp4

2025-10-31 14:02:55 UTC

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The episode is related to some writing I’ve been doing over on Disconnect, including this article: https://disconnect.blog/getting-off-us-tech-a-guide/

2025-10-31 12:14:41 UTC

#TechWontSaveUs is celebrating 300 episodes! 🎉
This week I took over the show to discuss an issue that’s been motivating a lot of his work this year: the problem with our dependence on US tech and why we need digital sovereignty!
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/300_we_need_to_cut_our_dependence_on_us_tech_heres_how_to_start
#tech #digitalsovereignty #techindustry #techdependence #microsoft #politics
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/468/721/792/683/420/original/994f9acb9d3e069c.mp4

2025-10-24 10:14:14 UTC

The AI industry wants us to believe AI superintelligence is the real threat from generative AI.
But that narrative was crafted to distract from the many ways genAI is being used to tear our societies apart, as we saw this week when a deepfake video rocked the Irish election. It must be reined in.
https://disconnect.blog/generative-ai-is-a-societal-disaster/
#tech #genai #generativeai #deepfake #politics #ireland

2025-10-23 18:40:29 UTC

Silicon Valley wants to make cities more efficient by taking away anything that makes them enjoyable.
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with @npub10c3…x94h to discuss why robotaxis and delivery bots aren’t solving any real problems with transport and cities.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/299_silicon_valley_doesnt_know_what_makes_a_good_city_w_joanne_mcneil
#tech #robotaxi #selfdriving #transportation #cities #urbanism
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2025-10-10 21:19:08 UTC

What radicalized Silicon Valley billionaires to embrace Donald Trump, and how are they wielding their power?
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with Jacob Silverman to discuss his new book GILDED RAGE and the distorted worldview of the men who shape our lives.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/297_the_gilded_rage_of_tech_billionaires_w_jacob_silverman
#tech #politics #elonmusk #peterthiel #donaldtrump #gildedrage
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2025-09-18 15:20:15 UTC

Palantir is thriving under Donald Trump, but what does the company really do?
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with @npub1jnt…8rur to get better insight on the tech Palantir sells to governments and companies and the ideology that guides its leaders.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/294_palantir_is_thriving_under_trump_w_caroline_haskins
#tech #palantir #peterthiel #alexkarp #donaldtrump #politics #military
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2025-09-11 14:18:12 UTC

The technologies we have are shaped by our society and the economic incentives that drive their development.
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke to Aaron Benanav to discuss his vision for a more democratic, equitable economy and what it means for tech.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/293_a_new_economy_will_deliver_better_technology_w_aaron_benanav
#tech #economy #politics
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2025-08-28 14:42:55 UTC

Western leaders have appeased Donald Trump since he returned to power, only to be hit with new demands after every concession.
On Tuesday, Trump declared economic war on countries that regulate its tech companies. It’s time for the world to break from the US and aggressively target Silicon Valley.
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/world-leaders-must-stop-appeasing
#tech #donaldtrump #digitalsovereignty #regulation #eutech #cdntech #cdnpoli #eupol

2025-08-21 20:03:56 UTC

For years, countries accepted their dependence on US tech companies. That needs to change.
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with Cecilia Rikap to discuss why it’s so important for governments to champion digital sovereignty that puts people first.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/290_why_countries_must_fight_for_digital_sovereignty_w_cecilia_rikap
#tech #digitalsovereignty #politics #cloud #eutech #donaldtrump
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2025-08-20 16:54:11 UTC

My first book is out in paperback! I shared some thoughts on ROAD TO NOWHERE now that it’s been out for a few years, and despite what I might have worried when I was writing it, it remains as relevant as ever.
Grab a copy for yourself!
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/my-first-book-is-out-in-paperback
#books #tech #transport #transportation #selfdriving #uber #tesla #elonmusk

2025-08-14 17:42:23 UTC

Canada is facing one of its worst wildfire seasons on record, and my home province is particularly hard hit.
Seeing how false and misleading information about the fires is spreading online has only further convinced me social media is a social cancer.
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/wading-through-the-social-media-haze
#tech #socialmedia #facebook #canada #cdnpoli #cdntech #meta #wildfires #canada

2025-08-12 17:18:49 UTC

🚨 The paperback version of ROAD TO NOWHERE is out today!
Silicon Valley promised it would make transport better for everyone; their initiatives delivered nothing of the sort, while delaying real solutions.
Get your copy: https://www.versobooks.com/products/2795-road-to-nowhere
#book #newbook #transport #mobility #transportation #uber #elonmusk
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2025-08-08 17:18:33 UTC

Chinese cars are taking the auto world by storm. But the US and Canada are being left behind.
On a recent trip to New Zealand, I decided to see what we’re missing by taking a few for a spin. US automakers won’t be able to hide behind tariffs for long.
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/i-drove-some-chinese-cars-heres-what
#tech #cars #auto #nz #byd #china #evs

2025-08-06 16:21:43 UTC

Yesterday I was on Radio-Canada’s Le 15-18 to talk about getting off US tech and why Canada needs to get serious about digital sovereignty. I think I’m slowly getting better at speaking about these issues in French :)
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/le-15-18/segments/rattrapage/2143842/peut-on-se-sevrer-geants-americains-techentrevue-avec-paris-marx
#tech #digitalsovereignty #ustech

2025-08-06 13:43:29 UTC

Microsoft can no longer deny it’s directly enabling the oppression and genocide of Palestinians by Israel.
“According to three Unit 8200 sources, the cloud-based storage platform has facilitated the preparation of deadly airstrikes and has shaped military operations in Gaza and the West Bank.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/06/microsoft-israeli-military-palestinian-phone-calls-cloud
#tech #microsoft #gaza #palestine #israel #genocide

2025-07-31 16:40:37 UTC

Donald Trump is making out like a bandit through crypto scams, and some people see it as an easy way to buy influence.
On Tech Won’t Save Us, I spoke with Jacob Silverman to discuss how Trump is deregulating crypto and the continued tech-MAGA alliance.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/287_trumps_crypto_profiteering_is_worse_than_you_think_w_jacob_silverman
#tech #crypto #donaldtrump #bitcoin #corruption #scams #politics
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/948/826/423/931/456/original/4f948774d7fa02bf.mp4

2025-07-28 19:51:40 UTC

Mark Carney wants economic growth at any cost. To achieve it, he’s going after tech investment and pushing hard for AI adoption.
In the process, AI regulations are being thrown on the bonfire and tech harms are an afterthought. It’s a recipe for disaster.
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/mark-carney-is-going-elbows-down
#tech #canada #cdnpoli #cdntech #ai #artificialintelligence #digitialsovereignty

2025-07-25 14:37:49 UTC

Last week, I got an email from Microsoft. It told me I’d be paying 46% more for my Office subscription, starting next month.
But when I tried to cancel, it offered me the same price I was already paying — without the generative AI features I never asked for in the first place.
This isn’t just deceptive; it’s an abuse of market power. I’ve had it with Microsoft.
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/ive-had-it-with-microsoft
#tech #microsoft #office #generativeai #deception #ai

2025-07-24 13:23:20 UTC

Is it possible to imagine a better future where we use less computation? The effects of AI hype almost demand it.
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with @npub16wc…ehf0 so he could lay out the concept of decomputing as a different way of assessing technology.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/286_decomputing_for_a_better_future_w_dan_mcquillan
#tech #decomputing #ai #generativeai #aihype #siliconvalley
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2025-07-19 02:44:00 UTC

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Is there a good list of NextCloud providers? I'd be happy to add it.

2025-07-18 16:21:03 UTC

Silicon Valley’s alliance with Donald Trump was a mask off moment and showed the world we can’t depend on US tech companies.
For the past few months, I’ve been trying to get off US tech and I put together a guide so you find alternatives too. I hope you find it helpful!
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/getting-off-us-tech-a-guide
#tech #politics #digitalsovereignty #alttech #donaldtrump

2025-07-10 13:48:47 UTC

The US is bombing Iranian nuclear facilities, transferring AI tech to the Gulf states, and enabling Israeli surveillance and weapons tech.
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with Laleh Khalili to discuss how the United States wields technology to enhance its power in the Middle East.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/284_how_the_us_weaponizes_tech_in_the_middle_east_w_laleh_khalili
#tech #israel #gaza #iran #palestine #uae #saudiarabia #unitedstates #politics #geopolitics #ai
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2025-07-09 01:29:59 UTC

“A study by the Transport Research Laboratory found that using in-car touchscreens can impair driver reaction times more than being over the legal alcohol limit or under the influence of cannabis.”
Asian automakers are leading the charge to bring back physical buttons in cars, and new EU rules will accelerate it.
https://www.ft.com/content/b46311ba-a5a1-4754-8d40-eaae475f01eb
#tech #cars #driving #auto

2025-07-03 16:29:21 UTC

We talk about chip restrictions today, but the United States’ main target as it ramped up its geopolitical fight with China was Huawei.
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with [@yangyang_cheng](https://zirk.us/@yangyang_cheng ) to discuss how the company became so powerful and what it tells us about global tech battles.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/283_the_geopolitical_fight_over_huawei_w_yangyang_cheng
#tech #huawei #china #geopolitics #politics #telecom
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2025-06-30 20:07:37 UTC

Mark Carney’s decision to rescind Canada’s digital services tax is a cowardly move that shows Trump he can be pressured into making trade concessions.
It also shows how much Carney is willing to give into corporate demands, and particular those of the tech industry.
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/mark-carney-caves-to-trump-and-the
#tech #canada #dst #digitalservicestax #donaldtrump #canada #tax

2025-06-23 13:07:46 UTC

I’ve begun my journey to reduce my reliance on US tech, so it’s time for an update on how it’s all going.
No surprise, some services are far more easy to replace than others. Email and streaming are low-hanging fruit; maps and messaging can be more difficult. But we should still make the effort.
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/getting-off-us-tech-is-no-easy-task
#tech #digitalsovereignty #email #socialmedia #streaming

2025-06-12 15:22:13 UTC

To dominate AI, Sam Altman knew OpenAI needed to scale faster than anyone else — regardless of the social and environmental costs.
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with @npub1dqh…eq5y to discuss Altman’s AI empire and why it must be dismantled.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/280_we_all_suffer_from_openais_pursuit_of_scale_w_karen_hao
#tech #ai #generativeai #openai #samaltman #datacenters

2025-06-12 14:51:36 UTC

Elon Musk gutted the federal government, dismantled key institutions, and cut off food and medicine to some of the poorest people on the planet.
By leaving DOGE, he’s trying to restore his reputation and rescue his struggling businesses. He should never be allowed to recover.
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/elon-musks-reputation-must-be-beyond
#tech #elonmusk #doge #politics #government #tesla #spacex

2025-06-05 14:14:15 UTC

Palantir is leading the charge to remake military contracting so newer tech companies get far more lucrative arms contracts.
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke to Sam Biddle about the tech industry’s effort to become the new military industrial complex.
Full ep: https://techwontsave.us/episode/279_the_new_military_industry_complex_w_sam_biddle
#tech #military #weapons #palantir #anduril #peterthiel #alexkarp #donaldtrump
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2025-05-22 22:23:49 UTC

We’re two and a half years into the AI hype cycle. How is it still going?
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with @npub15xv…0jms and @npub1e2z…n97d to dig into the harms of generative AI and industry strategies to keep the public’s attention.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/277_generative_ai_is_not_inevitable_w_emily_m_bender_and_alex_hanna
#tech #ai #generativeai #openai
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2025-05-21 21:31:24 UTC

Nearly half of British youth would rather be young in a world with no internet. It’s a damning indictment on what social media has become.
As social media’s harms continue to grow, it’s time for governments to act — but they need to take the right measures instead of reaching for easy fixes.
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/social-media-must-be-reined-in
#tech #socialmedia #meta #markzuckerberg #australia #elonmusk

2025-05-15 17:10:03 UTC

The Catholic Church has a new Pope, and he explicitly cited the threats AI presents for workers as a reason for choosing the name Leo XIV.
With the tech industry doing all it can to defend its power, could the Pope be an ally against the AI onslaught?
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/will-pope-leo-xiv-be-an-ally-against
#tech #pope #popeleo #ai #artificialintelligence #catholicchurch #vatican

2025-05-09 19:03:27 UTC

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During a recent interview with Theo Von, Zuckerberg admitted a startling revelation. While talking to his daughter about the news, he realized understanding politics and law is important to fully understanding technology. What a discovery!
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/mark-zuckerberg-wants-to-you-be-lonely
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/479/422/177/857/675/original/46f6a024745b6586.jpg

2025-05-09 14:40:54 UTC

People feel more lonely, in part because so many of our relationships are mediated by social media.
Instead of atoning for the harms of his platforms, Mark Zuckerberg has a new tech solution: he’s going to give us all a bunch of Meta-powered AI friends to fill the void left by the lack of real ones. It’s an even more dystopian future.
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/mark-zuckerberg-wants-to-you-be-lonely
#tech #markzuckerberg #meta #ai #chatbots #facebook

2025-05-08 17:58:17 UTC

Elon Musk has recently taken to calling empathy a threat to Western civilization. Where does that idea come from?
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with @npub1tlf…5yhd to understand the Christian right’s war on empathy and the terrible politics it enables.
Full ep: https://techwontsave.us/episode/275_the_roots_of_elon_musks_war_on_empathy_w_julia_carrie_wong
#tech #empathy #elonmusk #politics #christianright
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2025-05-05 16:14:15 UTC

Every month I do a roundup of great tech essays and important stories you might have missed over the past month.
In April, find pieces on Brazil’s crackdown on social media, Elon Musk’s war on empathy, how BYD is leaving Tesla in the dust, and much more!
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/what-you-missed-in-april-2025
#tech #brazil #elonmusk #byd #brasil #tesla

2025-05-01 19:51:16 UTC

Silicon Valley’s alliance with Donald Trump has brought me to my breaking point with US tech.
I’m going to keep pushing for governments to get serious about digital sovereignty, but in the meantime I’m looking for non-US alternatives — and will have more on what I’ll be using instead soon.
https://www.disconnect.blog/p/why-im-getting-off-us-tech
#tech #digitalsovereignty #eutech #donaldtrump #cdntech #elonmusk

2025-04-27 01:43:09 UTC

Canadians using Twitter/X are being bombarded by misleading right-wing posts designed to boost Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and tarnish the reputation of Mark Carney.
The FT’s analysis finds a growing volume of that misinformation is coming not from Russia or China, but the United States.
https://www.ft.com/content/743c1dec-0c5c-4c39-a940-830ce156c235
#tech #canada #cdnpoli #twitter #x #elonmusk #misinformation #cdnelxn #cdnelection

2025-04-05 20:58:00 UTC

Later this month, #TechWontSaveUs turns five years old. It’s hard to believe I’ve been making the show for this long!
Over that time I’ve interviewed hundreds of guests to spread critical perspectives on tech far and wide — and I know it’s had an impact.
#tech #techpodcast #podcast #elonmusk #siliconvalley
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2025-04-03 21:50:23 UTC

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Tech Won’t Save Us is celebrating its fifth birthday — and it needs your support to keep providing a critical take on the tech industry.
If we hit our goals, we’re not only going to make a new bonus series on defense tech, but also a zine later this year.
Support now: https://patreon.com/techwontsaveus
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/276/234/819/585/057/original/13da848beae8ddf6.png

2025-04-03 21:44:43 UTC

Silicon Valley likes to present itself as clean and sustainable, but cloud giants have a very dirty relationship with oil and gas.
On #TechWontSaveUs, I spoke with JS Tan to discuss how cloud and AI are used to fuel the climate crisis, based on his experiences at Microsoft.
Listen to the full episode: https://techwontsave.us/episode/270_the_dirty_alliance_between_tech_and_the_oil_industry_w_js_tan
#tech #ai #climate #cloud #datacenters
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