Tech Won't Save Us
Paris Marx
Silicon Valley wants to shape our future, but why should we let it? Every Thursday, Paris Marx is joined by a new guest to critically examine the tech industry, its big promises, and the people behind them. Tech Won’t Save Us challenges the notion that tech alone can drive our world forward by showing that separating tech from politics has consequences for us all, especially the most vulnerable. It’s not your usual tech podcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books
41 snips
May 7, 2026 • 1h 5min
Muskism is the New Fordism w/ Ben Tarnoff & Quinn Slobodian
Quinn Slobodian, a Boston University historian of political economy, and Ben Tarnoff, a writer and technologist, discuss their book Muskism. They trace how a tech-centered ideology reshapes state ties, finance, and manufacturing. Conversations cover vertical integration, social media-driven consent, AI as an ideological chokepoint, and the shift from mass social contracts to fortress futurism.
41 snips
Apr 30, 2026 • 60min
Tim Cook’s Real Legacy at Apple w/ Brian Merchant
Brian Merchant, journalist and author who writes about technology and labor, offers a brisk take on Tim Cook’s departure and Apple’s future. They dig into Cook’s operational rise and how he rewired manufacturing to tie Apple to China. Conversation covers labor harms at suppliers, Apple’s shift to subscription profits, tensions around AI strategy, and who might steer hardware next.
32 snips
Apr 23, 2026 • 60min
The Problem with "CEO Said a Thing" Journalism w/ Karl Bode
Karl Bode, freelance tech reporter and author of The Fine Print, critiques how tech media boosts CEOs and sanitizes histories. He discusses ad-driven, access-focused coverage, media consolidation, mythology around AI leaders, OpenAI’s nonprofit-to-pentagon shift, and rising public skepticism that could force accountability. Short, sharp takes on why journalism often serves PR instead of the public interest.
4 snips
Apr 16, 2026 • 54min
Cybertrucks Are a Safety Disaster w/ Dara Kerr
Dara Kerr, technology reporter at The Guardian US who investigates automotive and tech safety, breaks down how Cybertruck design choices prioritize looks over emergency egress. She walks through electric latches, hidden releases, fires and entrapments. The conversation covers legal hurdles, rescue challenges, and international regulatory responses.
24 snips
Apr 9, 2026 • 1h 3min
Take A Break From The Feed w/ Amanda Mull
Amanda Mull, senior reporter and columnist at Bloomberg Businessweek, explores our habit of constantly “monitoring the situation.” She traces the rise of live dashboards and feeds, explains why endless real-time updates fuel anxiety and false certainty, and discusses how journalism and curated sources can help people step back and reclaim focus.
15 snips
Apr 2, 2026 • 60min
Why Iran is Attacking Data Centers w/ Sam Biddle
They discuss why data centers are becoming military targets and how cloud infrastructure can host wartime operations. They explore AI and cloud services shaping target selection and accountability questions. They examine tech companies' ties to defense contracts and the geopolitical risks of concentrated data hubs.
13 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 1h 7min
The Long History of the US War on Iran w/ Spencer Ackerman
Spencer Ackerman, journalist and author who covers national security and the Forever Wars, walks through decades of U.S. intervention and rising conflict with Iran. He maps the historical roots from 1953 to recent strikes. He discusses regional alliances, sanctions, Iran’s missile and drone tactics, and why key infrastructure and the Strait of Hormuz matter.
35 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 1h 19min
Elon Musk and Jeffrey Epstein w/ Ed Niedermeyer
Ed Niedermeyer, automotive journalist and author of Ludicrous, unpacks Elon Musk’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein and the elite networks linking tech and wealth. He traces Epstein’s cultivation strategies, meetings around SpaceX and Dubai, and how power, PR, and state actors intersect. Short, sharp takes on influence, access, and class solidarity.
24 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 1h 3min
The Left Doesn’t Hate Technology w/ Gita Jackson
Gita Jackson, co-founder and writer at Aftermath known for sharp commentary on games, AI, and digital culture. They dig into why skepticism of AI and big tech is rooted in corporate incentives. Short takes on modular devices, nostalgia for single-purpose gadgets, community alternatives like libraries, and how tech became centralized and extractive.
47 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 58min
Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein w/ Tim Schwab
Tim Schwab, author and journalist who investigates philanthropy and billionaire power, discusses Bill Gates' ties to Jeffrey Epstein and how elite networks operate. He outlines where and when Gates met Epstein, staff fallout at the foundation, and how philanthropy can function as reputation laundering. The conversation spotlights calls for oversight and the broader problem of concentrated wealth.
