Rephonic
Artwork for Dystopia Now
Elon Musk
Artificial Intelligence
Silicon Valley
Transhumanism
Surveillance Capitalism
Long-Termism
Space Exploration
Climate Change
Mass Surveillance
Eugenics
Mars
Jeff Bezos
Effective Altruism
Psychedelics
Privacy
Copaganda
Democracy
O'neill Cylinders
Tech Industry
Peter Thiel

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.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes53Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsSociety & CultureTech News

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Artwork for Dystopia Now

Latest Episodes

Support the show at patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow

Researcher and journalist Dylan Gyauch-Lewis joins us this week to discuss the views behind ongoing data center buildout for AI despite community resistance.

Find Dylan's work at the American ... more

Find Jacob Silverman on Substack at substack.com/@jacobsilverman or Bluesky bsky.app/profile/jacobsilverman.com Further Reading from Jacob * The Shady Financial Past of a Major Trump Crypto Investor: www.thenation.com/article/... more

This week, we discussed the biography of the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski and his brand of tech doomerism.

Further Reading

• Émile's article: www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/eliezer-yudkowsky-and-the-unabomber

While profit motivates all companies under capitalism, why are the wealthiest tech companies so focused on AGI? This week, we dive into the relationships, ideologies, and claims behind the four biggest players claiming to build artificial general int... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Keira Havens
Director of Citizens' Impeachment
Citizens' Impeachment
Episode: Epstein Part 2: Transhumanism & Eugenics with Keira Havens
Adam Aleksic
Author of Algospeak and known as an etymology nerd
Episode: Algospeak, Vibes, and Post-Rats with Adam Aleksic (Etymology Nerd)
Eoin Higgins
Journalist and author of 'Owned'
Episode: How Tech Billionaires Bought the Narrative with Eoin Higgins
Josh Gondelman
Stand-up comedian and writer, known for his work on Last Week Tonight and his special Positive Reinforcement
Episode: Is Saving Shrimps Effective Altruism? w/ Guest Comedian Josh Gondelman
Dean Preston
Statewide housing advocate in California, tenant's rights attorney, and activist.
Former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Episode: The Astroturf Agenda with Dean Preston
Adam Becker
Author with a PhD in computational cosmology
Episode: "These F*cking People" with Adam Becker
Malcolm Collins
Pro-natalist advocate and co-founder of a foundation promoting natalism.
Episode: Simone and Malcolm Collins: TESCREAL Parents
Simone Collins
Pro-natalist advocate and co-founder of a foundation promoting natalism.
Episode: Simone and Malcolm Collins: TESCREAL Parents
Nick Rodelo
Staff writer at Dropsite
Dropsite
Episode: Tech and Hasbara

Hosts

Kate Willett
A comedian and co-host known for her engaging and humorous commentary on complex societal issues.
Emile Torres
An academic and co-host who contributes insightful commentary and critical analysis on technology and its societal impacts.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 317 ratings
  • ❤️🙏🏻

    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 Statesa month ago
  • Thanks

    Always learn something new in a way I can digest.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    H.B.P
    United States2 months ago
  • Why bother

    Looking for actual insight or information on complex/obscure topics? Keep moving. But if you’re looking for very shallow analysis and reinforcement of your priors plus mockery and snark (“comedy”, I guess?) here’s your show!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Caldrid
    United States5 months ago
  • Fun experience

    I was feeling depressed so I decided to listen to this to make me feel something. The bad arguments delivered in a sneering manner irritated me, so my experiment was successful.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Yjneb3
    United States5 months ago
  • Emile and Kate deliver insight into the minds of our nation's wealthiest tech billionaires and how their corrupted power is actively influencing our society. The information is thoroughly explained and delivered with wit and humor. I find my jaw drops at least once per episode.

    Audible
    5
    N Joy
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critiques point to the podcast's tone, which may come off as snarky or dismissive to those seeking more depth or neutrality on complex issues.
Many reviewers highlight the insightful and timely discussions on pressing social issues and tech culture, praising the hosts' expertise.
Listeners appreciate the engaging blend of humor and serious analysis, often finding the content thought-provoking and well-presented.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Gilded Rage with Jacob Silverman
Q: Can you speak to the zero interest rate policy and its impact?
Jacob Silverman explains how the zero interest rate policy allowed the corporate elite and Silicon Valley to borrow money easily, contributing to their current worldview and political actions.
Epstein Part 2: Transhumanism & Eugenics with Keira Havens
Q: Is there anything that you think defines Jeffery Epstein as a transhumanist? Was it his donations or his friends? Or how do we know for sure that he was one?
The key thing is that he wanted to improve the human race, contributing to a hierarchy he imagined, whether by building AI or impregnating many women.
Algospeak, Vibes, and Post-Rats with Adam Aleksic (Etymology Nerd)
Q: Is there really teleological language shaped by top-down influences?
Aleksic clarifies that language evolves based on algorithmic incentives rather than individual decisions.
Algospeak, Vibes, and Post-Rats with Adam Aleksic (Etymology Nerd)
Q: Do you think that people have more words in their active vocabulary these days than in the past?
He argues that while we may lose some specific terms, we gain new words for modern phenomena.
Algospeak, Vibes, and Post-Rats with Adam Aleksic (Etymology Nerd)
Q: What about linguistics drew you to the field?
Aleksic explains that etymology involves exploring how our minds relate to each other and how language categorizes our reality.

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 Dystopia Now

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

This podcast presents an engaging exploration of the philosophies and ideologies that underlie the innovations of Silicon Valley, particularly focusing on the motivations and implications of tech billionaires. The hosts navigate significant themes such as transhumanism, artificial intelligence, and the societal impact of technology on democracy and the economy, often through a lens of humor and critical insight. Notably, the conversations frequently critique prevailing narratives within the tech industry, examining deeper political and socio-economic consequences while emphasizing ethical dilemmas and systemic inequalities.

Listeners can expect a mix of thought-provoking discussions and humorous commentary, especially regarding the consequ... 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. Citations Needed
3. Know Your Enemy
4. Jacobin Radio
5. Better Offline

How many episodes of Dystopia Now are there?

Dystopia Now launched a year ago and published 53 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. Keira Havens
2. Adam Aleksic
3. Eoin Higgins
4. Josh Gondelman
5. Dean Preston
6. Adam Becker
7. Malcolm Collins
8. Simone Collins

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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