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Artwork for Galaxy Brain

Galaxy Brain

The Atlantic
Conspiracy Theories
Social Media
The Internet
Jeffrey Epstein
Epstein Files
Mental Health
Sex Trafficking
Department Of Justice
Gambling
Public Discourse
Bill Clinton
Donald Trump
Ghislaine Maxwell
Algorithms
Trust In Institutions
Youtube
Grok
Misery Machine
Sports
Prediction Markets

The internet has warped public life: Politicians behave like influencers, the economy resembles a casino, and people can no longer agree upon a consensus reality. New conspiracy theories, memes, and main characters seem to pop up every day. A constant war is on for your attention, and it’s easy to feel lost. Each week, Galaxy Brain and its host Charlie Warzel invite you into conversations to make ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes29Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Technology

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Artwork for Galaxy Brain

Latest Episodes

How are we still getting caught in the rain? This week’s “Galaxy Brain” explores the world of weather forecasting—specifically the apps on our phones that we have come to rely on. As climate change intensifies storms and smartphones put hyperlocal fo... more

YouTube

Few companies have reshaped American culture as aggressively as Netflix. This week’s Galaxy Brain charts how we got here.

Charlie Warzel talks with Atlantic film critic David Sims about Netflix’s strange, sweeping arc: from red DVD envelopes to a st... more

Silicon Valley runs on hype cycles, and the AI boom is generating a new one—part gold rush, part ideology, and part quasi-religious devotion to building an alien intelligence.

On this week’s “Galaxy Brain,” Charlie Warzel explores the culture of thi... more

YouTube

Silicon Valley relies on hype cycles. But for the last few weeks, AI insiders have been spooked by advances coming from their tools. On this week’s Galaxy Brain, Charlie Warzel helps listeners calibrate their anxiety about AI’s next phase. The episod... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

David Sims
Staff Writer and film critic at The Atlantic, host of Blank Check
The Atlantic
Episode: Did Netflix Ruin Movies?
Jasmine Sun
Writer living in the Bay Area who describes herself as an anthropologist of disruption
Substack (former)
Episode: What Do the People Building AI Believe?
Anil Dash
Prolific entrepreneur and blogging pioneer, former advisor to the White House Office of Digital Strategy
Episode: The AI-Panic Cycle—And What’s Actually Different Now
Stu Mackenzie
Frontman of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
Episode: King Gizzard, Spotify, and the Future of Music
Amanda Litman
Co-founder and president of Run for Something, author of multiple books
Run for Something
Episode: How to Be a Citizen in the Information War (And Stay Sane)
Ryan Broderick
Writes the Garbage Day newsletter and host of the Panic World podcast, reported on protests and events related to ICE enforcement in Minneapolis.
Episode: ICE Is Turning Real Conflict Into Viral Content
Sophie Gilbert
Writer and culture commentator, author of 'Girl on Girl'
The Atlantic
Episode: The Internet Was Built to Objectify Women
Dr. Ipsit Vahia
Chief of geriatric psychiatry at Mass General's McLean Hospital and director of its technology and aging laboratory.
Mass General's McLean Hospital
Episode: Are Your Parents Addicted to Their Screens?
Max Read
Author of the substack Read Max, covers culture and power on the internet.
Episode: Prediction Markets and the ‘Suckerifcation’ Crisis With Max Read

Host

Charlie Warzel
Host of Galaxy Brain, engaging in critical conversations about the internet's impact on public life.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • Wanted to like it

    Unfortunately, it’s not good. With more experience, I’m sure Charlie will improve as a host. After listening to several episodes, I’m giving up on it for now.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Po------
    United Statesa month ago
  • So much moral outrage

    The amount of moral outrage on this podcast tires me out. Sincerely, a center left Democrat.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Nick Name 8989
    United States2 months ago
  • Political

    I’m not into politics. I personally hate it and over my life I have watched politicians from every party use issues in order to get people on board because if they really tell them what they want to do, they know the simple people would not vote for them. While this podcast is informative, and some of it is spot on, it’s very weighted politically. I would be willing to listen to anybody today who would post a podcast that had balance that said what political leaders have done right what they’r... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    NELLIESHINGLES
    United States2 months ago
  • Best podcast on the Internet

    If you want to understand why everything feels terrible online, Charlie will explain it for you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    A little squirrel in Alaska
    United States2 months ago
  • Audio Medium

    Right. Audio, sound? Either Rachel Martin was interviewed while in a closet. Or had a pillow over her mouth. Dude, the audio quality of your show sucks. And no you’re still rambling without direction until the guest comes on.

    Fix the sound quality of your guest speakers.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Juanwhoknows
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, the podcast is well-received for its thoughtful approach and exploration of current issues.
Listeners appreciate the deep dives into complex technology topics and their societal implications.
Some express frustration with production elements like sound effects overshadowing substantive discussions.
The podcast is described as informative and engaging, often prompting listeners to reflect on modern challenges.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#71
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#28
Canada/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#115
United Kingdom/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#64
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#147
Germany/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#198
Italy/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What Do the People Building AI Believe?
Q: Is there a vice signaling problem in Silicon Valley around how tech leaders market products?
Yes, there is a vice signaling dynamic where founders mimic bold, attention-grabbing tactics associated with high-risk leadership; some leaders see Trump-era branding as a model for disruptive marketing, though it's not universally embraced.
What Do the People Building AI Believe?
Q: What are the AI Doomers and the De-Cells, and why are they important to the culture?
Doomers are the group that believes AI could pose existential risks; they've shaped debates about safety and regulation, while De-Cells represent a more skeptical, decelerationist stance that's aligned with calls to pause or slow progress; together they influence policy, culture, and funding, creating a dynamic tension in the field.
What Do the People Building AI Believe?
Q: Paint me a picture of what the vibe is like in San Francisco right now for AI folks.
The vibe is exuberant with lots of money flowing into the AI scene; people are seeing record seed and Series A rounds, and the city feels revived by the AI boom, despite past concerns about crime and governance.
The AI-Panic Cycle—And What’s Actually Different Now
Q: What does a meaningful backlash to AI technology look like?
A movement towards developing ethical alternatives that prioritize user control and social responsibility, rather than rejecting all AI outright.
The AI-Panic Cycle—And What’s Actually Different Now
Q: What is the majority view of AI among tech workers?
The majority view is that AI is a powerful technology that is being overhyped to such an extreme degree that it undermines productive engagement with it.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Galaxy Brain

What is Galaxy Brain about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intersection of technology and contemporary issues, conversations usually revolve around how the internet shapes politics, culture, and personal interactions. The discussions often address the implications of social media, AI, and the attention economy, examining how these factors contribute to disordered discourse and a fragmented reality. Through engaging dialogues with various experts, the content focuses on unpacking complex themes such as the mental health implications of technology, the commodification of user attention, and the changing landscape of democratic discourse. Notably, the podcast offers a blend of insightful commentary and critical analysis, making it a valuable resource for listeners interested in understan... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Galaxy Brain?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Galaxy Brain:

1. Radio Atlantic
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. The David Frum Show
4. The Gray Area with Sean Illing
5. Hard Fork

How many episodes of Galaxy Brain are there?

Galaxy Brain launched 8 years ago and published 29 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Galaxy Brain?

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What guests have appeared on Galaxy Brain?

Recent guests on Galaxy Brain include:

1. David Sims
2. Jasmine Sun
3. Anil Dash
4. Stu Mackenzie
5. Amanda Litman
6. Ryan Broderick
7. Sophie Gilbert
8. Dr. Ipsit Vahia

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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