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Artwork for Dystopia Now
Silicon Valley
Transhumanism
Elon Musk
Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence
Effective Altruism
Peter Thiel
Eugenics
Long-Termism
Capitalism
Surveillance Capitalism
Artificial General Intelligence
Mass Surveillance
Space Exploration
Palantir
Christianity
Environmental Justice
Mars
Neoliberalism
Rationalism

Dystopia Now is a show where a comedian (Kate Willett) and an academic (Emile Torres) explore the philosophies and religions of Silicon Valley and tech billionaires shaping our country, our world, and our future.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes65Foundeda year ago
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Tech NewsNewsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Dystopia Now

Latest Episodes

Does fiction inform what we think the future should look like? Sci-fi and futurism has typically told us the inevitability of technology and dystopian cyberpunk imaginaries. Monika Bielskyte joins us to introduce her alternative, Protopia Futures, a ... more

This week, we go over the merits and demerits of the Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas and its co-presentation with Christopher Olah of Anthropic, the company branding itself as most concerned with "AI Safety."

Further Reading

... more

Could a populist, independent candidate win an election in the most Republican part of Nebraska's 1st Congressional District? In a time when the Republican and Democratic Party are both notoriously corrupt, Austin Ahlman is making the call to "Take B... more

Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow!

Oliver Larkin, activist, union organizer, and Democratic Socialist, joins us this week to discuss his run for election to the U.S. House as a Florida representative.

We talk about Oliver's ca... more

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Recent Guests

Austin Ahlman
Congressional candidate in Nebraska
Ahlman for Nebraska
Episode: An Independent for Nebraska (ft. Austin Ahlman)
Oliver Larkin
Democratic socialist candidate running in Florida's 25th district
Campaign of Oliver Larkin
Episode: Florida Man Runs for Congress as a Democratic Socialist (ft. Oliver Larkin)
Zephyr Teachout
Guest speaker, legal scholar and political commentator
Elizabeth Warren-inspired academic perspective on law and economics
Episode: PATREON PREVIEW: Surveillance Pricing with Zephyr Teachout
Quinn Slobodian
Author of Muskism, historian
Author/Historian
Episode: From Fordism to Muskism with Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff
Ben Tarnoff
Author of Muskism, writer
Author/Writer
Episode: From Fordism to Muskism with Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff
Emily Bender
Co-author of The AI Con; co-creator of Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000
University of Washington (linguistics)
Episode: The AI Con with Alex Hanna and Emily Bender
Alex Hanna
Co-author of The AI Con; co-creator of Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000
University of Washington (ethics & data science)
Episode: The AI Con with Alex Hanna and Emily Bender
Taylor Lorenz
Journalist covering privacy and tech
The New York Times? (mentioned as journalist in interview)
Episode: Big Tech is Watching You with Taylor Lorenz
David Ramírez Álvarez
Second secretary at the Cuba embassy in the United States
Cuba Embassy in the United States
Episode: Understanding the U.S. Blockade on Cuba with David Ramírez Álvarez

Hosts

Kate Willett
Host of the show, comedian guiding conversation and introducing guests.
Émile Torres
Co-host and academic providing analysis and framing.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 333 ratings
  • Essential decoding of the philosophies driving the tech overlords. Smart and funny hosts and guests.

    See title.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Haroo7
    United States18 days ago
  • Essential listening for our modern dystopia that we live in

    (especially those of us in the imperial core).

    Well this podcast is fantastic and the host manage to make a really bleak topic enjoyable mostly!

    It really has given me a great understanding in all of these outrageous corporate and political developments which seem antihuman, and actually they are, but the billionaires have their own bizarre justifications and I feel stronger knowing our enemy!

    (I started with the Phil Jamesson episode, and I would say that is pretty good when start on although i... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GoofyGhoul7
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Brain Food

    This show isn’t dumb down. It’s wonderful to listen to on my drive. I sit in my car parked because I don’t want to stop listening. lol

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    349300
    United States4 months ago
  • Amazing!!

    You must listen to this. I love them both so much.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mustard19&@
    United States4 months ago
  • ❤️🙏🏻

    Where would I be without this Pod? Surely completely lost! Thank you sooo much Kate willett and Emile Torres for keeping us informed on the truth of the TESCREAL insanity that is these tech bro billionaires attempting to destroying our futures so that we have a chance at stopping them. Forever, or should I say, for the rest of my time on this earth, I will be indebted to both of you! Also could you talk about Gary Tan out of SF? I got Fired and black listed from the co I worked for because of hi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tamarajbrownmedia
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Insightful and sharp analysis of tech power and policy.
Thought-provoking takes that are useful for sponsors seeking policy-relevant audiences.
Critically acclaimed for connecting AI hype to real-world impacts.
Humor keeps heavy topics accessible and engaging.
Consistently strong guests that add depth to discussions.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

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The Ezra Klein Show
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The Why Files: Operation Podcast
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Modern Wisdom
Modern WisdomChris Williamson
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Florida Man Runs for Congress as a Democratic Socialist (ft. Oliver Larkin)
Q: What concrete policies tie into your 'Big Tech Dividend' proposal?
He explains the idea would redistribute profits from data ownership back to users, potentially as a form of universal basic income, and argues for democratic control of tech platforms to curb disinformation and privacy abuses.
Florida Man Runs for Congress as a Democratic Socialist (ft. Oliver Larkin)
Q: You're openly identifying as a socialist in Florida. Have you faced pushback?
Larkin says the message of progressivism has been co-opted and emphasizes curiosity and honesty as core strengths of the campaign, arguing that socialism offers concrete benefits like healthcare and worker protections that resonate with voters.
An Independent for Nebraska (ft. Austin Ahlman)
Q: What made you decide to run for Congress and what are your early priorities?
I jumped in because of the way big money and corporate power shape politics, and I want to fight for working people by pushing anti-monopoly reforms, breaking up tech power, and imposing stricter accountability on data centers and private equity.
The AI Con with Alex Hanna and Emily Bender
Q: What is the AI Con, and why did you choose that title for the book and your work?
They explain that the term AI Con signals that the technology is not a coherent set of tools but a marketing construct that hides broader political and economic ambitions, with AGI/ASI hype serving as a larger narrative around the economic system.
Big Tech is Watching You with Taylor Lorenz
Q: Why do you oppose the ruling against Meta in the social media addiction case, and what broader implications does that have for privacy and surveillance?
Opposing the ruling is about preventing a legal precedent for mass surveillance and ensuring that policy does not empower identity verification and de-anonymization across online services; the focus should be on meaningful privacy protections rather than platform-centric punishment.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dystopia Now

What is Dystopia Now about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, probing show that combines humor with rigorous critique to unpack how Silicon Valley's players, ideas, and incentives shape politics, culture, and everyday life. Across episodes, conversations skim from Muskism and long-termist tech policy to AI hype, privacy, data economics, and global geopolitics, with guests ranging from scholars and journalists to policy voices. Noteworthy is the show's willingness to intersect philosophy, economics, and technology with a clearly left-leaning lens, using accessible humor and memorable anecdotes to challenge tech-centric narratives. This mix makes it helpful for listeners who want thoughtful analysis of tech power, policy implications, and potential futures, packaged in engaging, often provocati... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Dystopia Now?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Dystopia Now:

1. Tech Won't Save Us
2. Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000
3. This Machine Kills
4. Better Offline
5. Bad Faith

How many episodes of Dystopia Now are there?

Dystopia Now launched a year ago and published 65 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 Dystopia Now?

Recent guests on Dystopia Now include:

1. Austin Ahlman
2. Oliver Larkin
3. Zephyr Teachout
4. Quinn Slobodian
5. Ben Tarnoff
6. Emily Bender
7. Alex Hanna
8. Taylor Lorenz

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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