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Artwork for Techtonic with Mark Hurst

Techtonic with Mark Hurst | WFMU

Mark Hurst and WFMU
Artificial Intelligence
Surveillance
Technology
Big Tech
Privacy
Google
Social Media
Robots
Digital Technology
Elon Musk
Spotify
Democracy
Generative AI
Silicon Valley
Data Centers
Ai-Generated Music
WFMU
Surveillance Capitalism
Amazon
Surveillance Technology

A show from WFMU about our shift to a digital future. Mark Hurst interviews creators and thinkers about technology, community, videogames, and whatever else is next.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes106Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTechnology

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Techtonic with Mark Hurst

Latest Episodes

Kirk Pearson - "Theme from Techtonic" [0:00:00]

- "Interview with Nicholas Smyth"

Casey & Strick - "Read A Book" [0:55:46]

www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/165768

Kirk Pearson - "Theme from Techtonic" [0:00:00]

- "Mark's intro"

- "Interview with Gerry McGovern" [0:02:39]

- "Mark's comments" [0:48:51]

Danish Sky - "Attack of the Killer Robots" [0:53:31]

www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/165500

Kirk Pearson - "Theme from Techtonic" [0:00:00]

- "Mark's comments"

Jimmy Cliff - "World Upside Down" [0:54:28]

www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/165187

Dave Karpf on the data center backlash

Kirk Pearson - "Theme from Techtonic"

- "Mark's intro"

- "Interview with Dave Karpf" [0:02:22]

- "Mark's comments" [0:43:10]

Ambassade - "The Influencer Accent" [0:55:08]

www.wfmu.org/playlists/show... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Nick Smyth
Professor of Ethics and Technology at Fordham University
Fordham University
Episode: Nicholas Smyth on Big Tech devices in schools from Jun 29, 2026
Gerry McGovern
Irish writer and technologist
Author of 99th Day: A Warning About Technology
Episode: Gerry McGovern, author, "99th Day: A Warning About Technology" from Jun 22, 2026
Dave Karpf
Internet Politics Professor at George Washington University; writer of an essay on the AI/data center backlash
George Washington University
Episode: Dave Karpf on the data center backlash from Jun 8, 2026
Ben Recht
Author of The Irrational Decision; computer science professor
University of California, Berkeley
Episode: Ben Recht, author, "The Irrational Decision" from Jun 1, 2026
Quinn Slobodian
Co-author of Muskism, a Guide for the Perplexed
Harper (publisher)
Episode: "Muskism" authors Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff from May 25, 2026
Ben Tarnoff
Co-author of Muskism, a Guide for the Perplexed
Berkeley Law/Tech policy advocacy
Episode: "Muskism" authors Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff from May 25, 2026
Julie Scelfo
Founder of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA)
MAMA (Mothers Against Media Addiction)
Episode: Julie Scelfo, founder of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA) from May 4, 2026
Andrew Guthrie Ferguson
Author of Your Data Will Be Used Against You; Law professor at George Washington University Law School
George Washington University Law School; NYU Press
Episode: Andrew Guthrie Ferguson, author, "Your Data Will Be Used Against You" from Apr 27, 2026
Samantha Lawler
astronomer
University of Regina, Canada
Episode: Starlink and Kessler Syndrome, feat. astronomer Samantha Lawler from Apr 20, 2026

Host

Mark Hurst
Host of Techtonic; engages guests on technology, policy, and societal implications of digital systems.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 79 ratings
  • Fantastic radio show (podcast)! Mark's curation of guests is fantastic and so are his interviews. Numerous shows have led me down further paths of inquiry, either online or through books.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    mwandishiman
    a year ago
  • The best

    Honestly, this is one of the best shows I’ve ever listened to. I usually listen to it on WFMU and am blown away by the raw reality, truth and overall informative nature of this podcast. Mark is a phenomenal host and interviewer and you can tell he is extremely intelligent in the best way possible. Two Thumbs up!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Snacks201
    United States4 years ago
  • Fantastic!

    Mindbeingly good

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Clummoo
    Japan5 years ago
  • Spot on!

    IMO, one of the best tech podcasts out there.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jason McClannihan
    United States7 years ago
  • listener

    Mark has always been at the forefront of critical thinking about humans and tech culture. He's worth listening to - and fun to boot!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DelanceyStreet
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Honest, skeptical take on tech hype and surveillance.
Well-researched, with diverse expert guests.
Thoughtful critique of tech power and policy influence.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#76
Sweden/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ben Recht, author, "The Irrational Decision" from Jun 1, 2026
Q: But why don't we start with rationality? Algorithms seem to be everywhere these days, always trying to optimize how society operates.
Ben Recht explains that there is a sweet spot where optimization works well, but outside of that, algorithms can mislead by oversimplifying complex realities and neglecting human values and preferences.
Gerry McGovern, author, "99th Day: A Warning About Technology" from Jun 22, 2026
Q: What practical steps can listeners take to disengage from the most extractive tech cycles while still staying connected?
Engage with local communities, support regenerative practices, reduce dependence on single platforms, and foster personal websites and community-owned networks to reclaim agency beyond mega-ecosystems.
Gerry McGovern, author, "99th Day: A Warning About Technology" from Jun 22, 2026
Q: Gerry, how did the early web era shape your views on technology's promises versus its real-world costs?
The early optimism gave way to a reckoning with how growth and venture capital often ignored deeper environmental and ethical costs, leading to a more critical stance on how tech is built and deployed.
Julie Scelfo, founder of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA) from May 4, 2026
Q: What is MAMA's approach to combating these issues in practical terms?
MAMA focuses on parent education, pushing to keep phones out of schools, and advocating for safeguards and design changes, with a strong emphasis on building a wide network of local chapters to organize parents and influence policy.
Julie Scelfo, founder of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA) from May 4, 2026
Q: How does the episode address pushback that phones aren't to blame for mental health issues?
The guest acknowledges the pushback but argues that the evidence shows that the product design and the platform's algorithms actively drive harms, citing whistleblower accounts and studies that link design choices to adverse outcomes, while acknowledging the need for real causality studies where possible.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Techtonic with Mark Hurst

What is Techtonic with Mark Hurst about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Technically oriented discussions blend ethics, policy, and societal impact around digital technology. The show frequently covers EdTech, privacy, data governance, surveillance, AI, and the environmental and social costs of tech, often with guests who bring academic, legal, journalistic, or activist perspectives. A notable strength is a clear stance against unchecked tech power, paired with practical calls to action for individuals and communities; occasional monologues and on-the-ground reporting also provide a distinctive, human-centered lens. The format supports deep dives with experts, aligning well for listeners who want thoughtful critique, actionable ideas, and a skeptical view of hype in technology and platforms.

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Which podcasts are similar to Techtonic with Mark Hurst?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Techtonic with Mark Hurst:

1. Reveal
2. Throughline
3. The Daily
4. Ologies with Alie Ward
5. The New Yorker Radio Hour

How many episodes of Techtonic with Mark Hurst are there?

Techtonic with Mark Hurst launched 9 years ago and published 106 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 Techtonic with Mark Hurst?

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What guests have appeared on Techtonic with Mark Hurst?

Recent guests on Techtonic with Mark Hurst include:

1. Nick Smyth
2. Gerry McGovern
3. Dave Karpf
4. Ben Recht
5. Quinn Slobodian
6. Ben Tarnoff
7. Julie Scelfo
8. Andrew Guthrie Ferguson

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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