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Artwork for Dreaming Against the Machine

Dreaming Against the Machine

Multitude
Artificial Intelligence
Star Trek
Algorithmic Bias
Cosmology
Technology
Space Exploration
Science Fiction
George Orwell
Ursula K. Le Guin
Futurism
Mythology
Weapons Of Math Destruction
Office Of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
US Government Science Policy
Generative AI
Almanacs
Great Man Theory Of History
Celebrity Culture
Public Interest Tech
Surveillance Technology

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes21Founded5 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureScience

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Artwork for Dreaming Against the Machine

Latest Episodes

It's a triple astrophysicist episode! This week, Adam talks with Lucian Walkowicz and Erika Nesvold about why space colonization is a terrible idea, and what would be a better idea for the future. They also talk about science fiction (of course) and ... more

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This week, Adam talks with Alondra Nelson, sociologist and former head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy under Joe Biden. They talk about the destruction of scientific research in the US under Trump 2.0, what we can be hopefu... more

YouTube

This week, Adam’s guest is mathematician, algorithmic auditor, and author Cathy O’Neil. They talk about the uses and misuses of math and computer science, and what led both of them away from academic STEM into the wilds of tech ethics.

More about Ca... more

YouTube

This week's guests are historian Quinn Slobodian and writer Ben Tarnoff, authors of the new book Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed. Adam talks with them about what Musk is, how he gained so much power, and what we can do to stop him.

Messages:

... more

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Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Alondra Nelson
Sociologist of science and technology; Institute for Advanced Study; former head of OSTP
Institute for Advanced Study
Episode: Episode 18: Science Policy, with Alondra Nelson
Cathy O'Neil
Mathematician, algorithmic auditor, author of Weapons of Math Destruction
Episode: Episode 17: Weapons of Math Destruction, with Cathy O’Neil
Ben Tarnoff
Writer, co-author of Muskism
Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed
Episode: Episode 16: What is Elon Musk? With Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff
Quinn Slobodian
Professor of International History, Boston University
Boston University
Episode: Episode 16: What is Elon Musk? With Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff
Annalee Newitz
Author and journalist, science writer and thinker on psyops and propaganda
Author of Stories are Weapons
Episode: Episode 14: Psychological Warfare, with Annalee Newitz
Jack Stilgoe
Professor in the Science and Technology Studies Department at University College London
University College London
Episode: Episode 13: More Everything Forever, with Adam Becker
Katie Mack
Cosmologist and science communicator, author
Perimeter Institute
Episode: Episode 12: The Cosmic Perspective, with Katie Mack
Cory Doctorow
Science fiction author, activist for electronic rights, journalist and blogger
Electronic Frontier Foundation (historically) and various writing platforms
Episode: Episode 11: Reverse Centaurs and AI, with Cory Doctorow
Ed Zitron
Prominent AI industry critic, host of Better Offline
Episode: Episode 10: Better Off Regulated, with Ed Zitron

Host

Adam Becker
Host of the show

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 100 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 States19 days 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 Statesa month ago
  • Podcast Addict
    NoethersTheorem
    2 months ago
  • Episodes won’t download

    Episodes won’t download

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    cjbalive
    United States2 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 States2 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.

Apple Podcasts
#162
Finland/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#165
South Korea/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#166
Norway/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Episode 18: Science Policy, with Alondra Nelson
Q: Can you tell us what your lab works on, and more generally, who you are?
I'm a sociologist of science and technology focusing on social implications and inequality, with a lab at the Institute for Advanced Study studying AI, genetics, genomics, space policy, and quantum tech, all through a lens of public impact.
Episode 17: Weapons of Math Destruction, with Cathy O’Neil
Q: What can listeners do to push back against harm caused by AI and data-driven systems?
Support clear data access for researchers, advocate for sensible regulation and accountability, participate in public discourse, and engage in democratic processes like voting and tax policy to curb the worst excesses of wealth and power in tech.
Episode 17: Weapons of Math Destruction, with Cathy O’Neil
Q: Can you explain the journey from a finance quant to Occupy Wall Street and beyond?
I moved from trying to maximize market efficiency to seeking a broader impact, realizing the conduct of big finance conflicted with my ethics, which pushed me toward blogging, activism, and eventually algorithmic auditing to hold systems accountable.

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. Tech Won't Save Us
4. Podcast – Cory Doctorow's craphound.com
5. Know Your Enemy

How many episodes of Dreaming Against the Machine are there?

Dreaming Against the Machine launched 5 months ago and published 21 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. Alondra Nelson
2. Cathy O'Neil
3. Ben Tarnoff
4. Quinn Slobodian
5. Annalee Newitz
6. Jack Stilgoe
7. Katie Mack
8. Cory Doctorow

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