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Artwork for Dreaming Against the Machine

Dreaming Against the Machine

Multitude
Artificial Intelligence
Star Trek
Algorithmic Bias
Cosmology
Technology
AI Bubble
United States Politics
Occupy Wall Street
Space Exploration
Science Fiction
Space Colonization
Futurism
George Orwell
Mythology
Ursula K. Le Guin
Office Of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
Weapons Of Math Destruction
US Government Science Policy
Liberal Democracy
Generative AI

What might a good future look like?

Explore ideas about how to envision better, realistic, equitable futures with astrophysicist and journalist Dr. Adam Becker. Each week, Adam and a new guest will try to find hope in the darkness of the current political moment through earnest (and entertaining!) conversations about what such a future might look like. In a world where tech oligarchs and their po... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes25Founded5 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureScience

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Artwork for Dreaming Against the Machine

Latest Episodes

This week, Adam and returning guest Dave Karpf talk about what it's like to gaze into the abyss of politics and tech as part of their jobs, and how to find balance and maintain their sanity while doing that work. Dave also talks about his work with t... more

YouTube

Occupy Wall Street is the story of the improbable becoming possible. In 2008, millions of people were devastated by an economic crash caused by Wall Street greed, but it wasn’t until 2011 that there was a mass response from the Left. A call to protes... more

YouTube

This week, Adam talks with Matt Scherer about the AI bubble: what it is, why it's a bubble, what might happen when it pops, and what we can all do to prevent a bailout when it does pop. They also talk about Star Trek, because of course they do.

Matt... more

YouTube

This week is a little bit different. Adam talks with Alli Finn and Matt Rodriguez about a very specific kind of better future: one with way fewer AI data centers. Alli and Matt explain why we should fight AI data center construction, how to fight it,... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Podcast Host
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Dave Karpf
Professor of political communication at George Washington University
George Washington University
Episode: Episode 22: Balancing on the Abyss, with Dave Karpf
Nalini Stamp
Young New Yorker; activist in Occupy movement; former Working Families Party worker
Working Families Party
Episode: Sharing a new series from Future Hindsight, Occupy! An Unfinished Uprising.
Sandy Nurse
Activist born in Panama; humanitarian aid worker turned Occupy participant
Activist/Community Organizer
Episode: Sharing a new series from Future Hindsight, Occupy! An Unfinished Uprising.
Marissa Holmes
Planner of the occupation; involved with the New York City General Assembly
New York City General Assembly
Episode: Sharing a new series from Future Hindsight, Occupy! An Unfinished Uprising.
Astra Taylor
Author and documentary filmmaker; activist
Author/Filmmaker
Episode: Sharing a new series from Future Hindsight, Occupy! An Unfinished Uprising.
Nathan Schneider
Journalist covering activism in the city
Journalist
Episode: Sharing a new series from Future Hindsight, Occupy! An Unfinished Uprising.
Matt Scherer
Fellow at the Open Markets Institute; focuses on the AI Bubble and policy issues around AI regulation
Open Markets Institute
Episode: Episode 21: The AI Bubble, with Matt Scherer
Alli Finn
Policy advocate and researcher focused on technology impacts; AI Now Institute; data center working group
AI Now Institute; data center working group
Episode: Episode 20: Resisting AI Data Centers, with Alli Finn and Matt Rodriguez
Matthew Rodriguez
Organizer and coalition member focused on data center fights; Athena Coalition; Manaset People's Project
Athena Coalition; Manaset People's Project
Episode: Episode 20: Resisting AI Data Centers, with Alli Finn and Matt Rodriguez

Host

Adam Becker
Host of the show

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 111 ratings
  • Electric sheep?

    Adam Becker manages to go beyond the superficial in this rioting podcast which explores the morality and economy of the whims of Silicon Valley.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NorthIsUp
    United Statesa month ago
  • Host is the problem

    Host loves to hear himself talk, and will cut off guests as they get rolling to give his opinion on everything. Only listened to a handful of episodes and already heard the same points over and over. Has potential but needs more structure and a bit of hosting improvement.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    MaxFH7768
    United States2 months ago
  • Podcast Addict
    NoethersTheorem
    3 months ago
  • Episodes won’t download

    Episodes won’t download

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    cjbalive
    United States3 months ago
  • Great guests, spotty interviews

    A few good moments. Often gets stuck revisiting complaints about tech bros, VC, and Silicon Valley culture.

    Really love all the people here. Love the stated mission. So much potential. Needs a co-host that can structure the conversation better and draw out deeper insights from really interesting people.

    I learned a lot from

    Episode 3. More like that, please, where the conversation explores a topic in depth.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    ctperson
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate accessible storytelling and historical context, though some want deeper interview structure.
Host pushes for constructive critique of tech power and billionaire narratives.
Thoughtful guests and rigorous discussion offer real perspectives on futures and tech policy.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 19: Space Colonization, with Lucian Walkowicz and Erika Nesvold
Q: What alternatives or visions did the guests propose for a future involving space?
They advocate for visions that center equity, sustainability, and the well-being of both humans and non-human life on Earth, while pursuing science and exploration in ways that avoid colonial frameworks, and amplifying diverse voices who imagine positive futures.
Episode 19: Space Colonization, with Lucian Walkowicz and Erika Nesvold
Q: What are the core problems with space colonization as currently discussed by industry leaders?
The core problems include repeating colonial patterns, prioritizing resource extraction, labor exploitation, environmental damage, and political/economic structures that privilege a few while harming local communities on Earth and ecosystems near launch sites.
Episode 19: Space Colonization, with Lucian Walkowicz and Erika Nesvold
Q: Why Mars in particular has captured the imagination of space advocates, despite its harsh conditions?
Mars became a focal point partly because it offers evocative imagery and a perceived middle ground between the Moon and Earth, allowed by its relative resemblance to Earth and the ability to imagine human presence there, but the guests argue this is a narrative lure rather than a practical, ethical long-term goal.
Episode 18: Science Policy, with Alondra Nelson
Q: What gives you hope for the future of science and policy?
Hope comes from enduring communities and allies who have faced oppression and continue to push for better outcomes, coupled with ongoing collaborations across disciplines to imagine and implement a more just use of technology.
Episode 18: Science Policy, with Alondra Nelson
Q: What do you think we should do to rebuild the science policy environment if political leadership shifts again?
We need to anchor policy in social goods and public accountability, ensure transparency about funding, and create governance mechanisms that check in across the life cycle of technologies—from risk assessments to post-deployment audits—so that public investments serve broad societal benefits rather than narrow private interests.

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 Dreaming Against the Machine

What is Dreaming Against the Machine about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Thoughtful conversations examine plausible, humane futures through the lens of science, technology, culture, and policy. Across episodes, guests—from scientists and historians to tech critics and science fiction writers—offer rigorous analysis of AI, algorithmic bias, space policy, and the societal impacts of innovation, often challenging techno-optimism with practical reforms and ethical considerations. The show leans into accessible storytelling, historical context, and critical viewpoints to empower readers and listeners to imagine and advocate for more equitable futures. A notable strength is its willingness to blend rigorous scholarship with accessible storytelling and pop-culture references, making complex ideas engaging for a broad a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Dreaming Against the Machine?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Dreaming Against the Machine:

1. Better Offline
2. Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000
3. The 404 Media Podcast
4. Tech Won't Save Us
5. The Nerd Reich

How many episodes of Dreaming Against the Machine are there?

Dreaming Against the Machine launched 5 months ago and published 25 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Dreaming Against the Machine?

Recent guests on Dreaming Against the Machine include:

1. Dave Karpf
2. Nalini Stamp
3. Sandy Nurse
4. Marissa Holmes
5. Astra Taylor
6. Nathan Schneider
7. Matt Scherer
8. Alli Finn

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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