Shari Gribbin’s Post

Carole Cadwalladr's latest piece in The Guardian is a deep dive into the growing influence of tech leaders in the political sphere. She unpacks the impact of the first wave of disruption (2016–2024) and warns of the challenges ahead as tech moguls like Elon Musk reshape power dynamics. Key takeaway: Social media isn’t just a platform—it is the culture. As Cadwalladr puts it, “the medium now is Musk,” and this fusion of state and tech power represents a new, unsettling form of oligarchy. What does this mean for democracy, truth, and journalism? Are we prepared for the next wave of disruption? I highly recommend this article for anyone passionate about media, technology, and society.

🚨 The Silent Threat of Big Tech 🚨 Big tech giants are reshaping our world, unchecked and unchallenged. From eroding democratic control to prioritizing profit over social good, their influence knows no bounds. 🔥 Why It Matters 🔥 1. **Power Shift:** Tech companies are becoming pseudo-governments, making decisions without accountability or oversight. 2. **Privacy Perils:** Google, Meta, and OpenAI hold our data hostage, impacting our rights and security without consent. 3. **Regulation Roulette:** Laws attempt to tame these tech titans, but enforcement falls short, leaving us vulnerable. 4. **Tech Titans Unleashed:** Musk and Altman play global policymaker, ignoring rules and wielding power without remorse. 5. **Profit Over People:** Tech claims to solve problems, but money talks louder, putting public interest at risk. 🌟 What's Next? 🌟 How do we reclaim control over tech's hold on us? Can we create a system that balances innovation and responsibility? These questions demand answers if we want a future where technology serves us all. Let's push for transparency, ethics, and public interest. It's time to ensure that the power to shape our lives belongs to everyone, not just a select few. 💪 #TechRethink #FutureForAll

"𝘌𝘭𝘰𝘯 𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘬, 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘡𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘢𝘮 𝘈𝘭𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵, 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭, 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴, 𝘩𝘰𝘣𝘣𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘺𝘴..." — Ed Zitron In his latest newsletter, "You Can't Make Friends With The Rockstars" Ed Zitron critiques the way tech figures like Musk, Zuckerberg, and Altman are mythologized. He argues they are often overhyped by the media, which tends to overlook their failures and the real (negative!) impact of their companies. Instead of holding them accountable, journalists help create an image of these leaders as visionaries, giving them even more power and influence. 🤓 Putting my psychologist hat on, Zitron’s piece got me thinking about why we tend to mythologize tech leaders like Musk, Zuckerberg and Altman - seeing them as larger-than-life figures. 🤗 They offer simple, visionary solutions to complex problems - solutions that are principally easy to understand (AI is the answer!) which is particularly appealing when times feel uncertain. 🤑 People are drawn to their charisma and apparent success, preferring stories that frame their achievements as the result of personal brilliance, even though luck and timing often play a significant role. 😇 Ultimately, the “genius” myth endures because it provides a clear and inspiring narrative that feels reassuring and easy to believe. This dynamic isn’t just limited to tech; it’s also seen in populist politics. Maybe that is why some of the tech leaders and politicians get along really well? 👉 If these thoughts resonate check out Zitron’s newsletter - it’s a perfect longer (weekend) read. You can find the link in the comments.

In the past 5 years, mainstream Silicon Valley tech culture went from pacifist to hawkish. In 2018, Google staged walkouts in protest of supporting DoD AI efforts. Selling to the U.S. government was so controversial back then that many startups (that I know closely) did so in secret for fear of employee backlash. Many VC firms refused to take meetings with defense focused companies for fear of reputation risk in the media or amongst the broader tech community.  What’s changed? Why is defense tech now one of the "hot" sectors in Silicon Valley? I can’t fully answer this…. The primary premise for not selling to the DoD back then was based on ethical grounds--not because gov/defense market was challenging to understand or navigate. Why has the culture shifted so quickly? Is it as simple as companies like Anduril Industries, Shield AI, and others paving the way? Maybe, but again, the primary concern I saw 5+ years ago was ethical concerns, not go to market or opportunity concerns. Is it the Ukraine/Russia or Israel/Hamas conflict that reminded people that the world is scary and worthy of military/defense systems? Is it the fact that we have a new administration in the White House that is more acceptable to the tech establishment? Is it something more psychological in nature, like group think and heard mentality? Were people just too scared to voice their actual opinions then, and now they feel comfortable doing so? Or are people truly challenging their opinions? These are all things I'm trying to think about and understand. I have some opinions that anchor on the heard mentality/group think, but I'd like to make them better informed. What do you all think has changed? Comments welcome! 🇺🇸🫡

Technology and IT has been a huge part of my life since I was about 7 when my parents bought me a handheld Donkey Kong game in the mid 80’s. Silicon runs in my DNA and my interest in #tech goes far beyond simple fascination. Growing up, TV shows such as Star Trek were both uplifting and inspirational because the advanced technology that the show used served as a baseline to so many of the stories which would result in a new discovery or solving some sort of cataclysmic problem. It was natural for me to follow a path into technology. Technology brought the world closer, cooperation easier and helped us solve so many challenges. And we have seen tech deliver wonders and breakthroughs across so many realms. Yet - after almost three decades in the IT sector, I am feeling increasingly more pessimistic about technology. This growing pessimism is so because I feel that so-called ‘Big Tech’ seems to be less about discovery, progress and advancement these days and more about market power, profit above all else, manipulating the market and coercion of governments to bend to its whims and demands. This past week, we have seen the owner of one tech operator, X (formerly Twitter), give the proverbial middle finger to a government regulator over takedown notices related to a violent attack that occured in Sydney a few weeks ago. We continue to see big tech operators in the news for all the wrong reasons - whether its breaches of privacy, breaches of market power, breaches of conduct or breaches of law. We see tech being deployed less and less to improve our lives and more and more to wreck them. I have no doubt, after reading study after study, that the explosion in mental health illness is a direct result of #socialmedia consumption - sometimes by children as young as 5. We are also seeing these same tech companies, now larger than some G7 countries in terms of market capitalisation, employ armies of so-called “government relations and policy advisors” to promote their agendas within lawmaking. These agendas, publicly at least, are about “responsible technology”. Whenever a big tech senior leader gets hauled in front of a parliamentary or congressional committee, we see heavily curated statements that ostensibly sound reasonable. And yet, behind the scenes, they are actively fighting. Fighting against regulation. Fighting against anything that takes away from their profitability or market power. They deploy lobbyists. They pay into technology groups / technology councils who ‘advocate’ to government on their behalf, organising ‘round tables’ and events with politicians of all stripes. None of it for the right social reasons. As someone who continues to believe in technology as a force for good, it really is difficult not to be pessimistic at the moment. Some time ago, I shared the below article posted in the The New York Times co-written by two people who couldnt be more diametrically opposed politically. Its time things change.

I created the Tech for Zero Carbon Future community on Waverly, a new AI social network designed to bring communities closer together. Here's why: I quit Facebook and Twitter years ago. I believe the prevailing model of social media is fundamentally broken. As Cory Doctorow put it best, their model of infinitely getting more eye balls and keeping them hooked as long as possible inevitably leads to "enshitification" (link in comments, it's a fun read). It's all about clicks, views, shares and ultimately ads. How you feel as a user doesn't matter, as long as you keep clicking. I almost always felt shit after a session on these networks. Waverly represents the future - social media that's built from the ground up to give control back to its users and to encourage healthy conversations and communities. To leave us feeling better. And the team behind it led by Philippe Beaudoin is the best team I could imagine to deliver on this vision - cc Kira Cheung. The Tech for Zero Carbon Future community on Waverly is a space for founders, investors, and climate enthusiasts to discuss innovative solutions to achieve a zero-carbon future. Waverly is currently in the testing phase, so we'll be among the first to experience it! We only have a spot for 50 members in our Waverly community, details on how to get started in the comments. See you there! p.s. right now, it's only available on iPhone (sorry)

The Invisible Hand's Blind Spot: Navigating the Pitfalls of Technological Progress Even in a world of sound money and competitive markets, the invisible hand can sometimes lead us astray when it comes to technological innovation. Here's why this matters: 1. Unforeseen Consequences: We often rush headlong into new technologies without fully grasping their potential downsides. Remember the early days of social media? Who could have predicted the impact on mental health and privacy? 2. Monopoly Traps: New tech can create powerful monopolies that bypass traditional market safeguards. Think of how quickly certain tech giants have come to dominate our digital lives. 3. Property Rights at Risk: Innovation can outpace our ability to protect existing rights, especially when it comes to personal data. How many of us truly own our digital footprints? As someone who's worked in tech for years, I've seen firsthand how easy it is to get caught up in the excitement of innovation without considering the broader implications. So, what can we do? • Encourage diverse voices in tech development • Support robust, adaptable regulations • Prioritize ethical considerations alongside profit What are your thoughts? Have you experienced the downside of rapid technological change in your industry? #TechEthics #InnovationChallenges #DigitalRights #EconomicTheory #FreeMarketLimitations #TechRegulation #FutureTechnology

🌟 Let's talk about technology! 🌟 - Technology shapes the way we work, communicate, and live our lives. It's ever-evolving, constantly pushing boundaries, and challenging us to adapt. But amidst all the buzz and excitement, have you ever paused to ponder its deeper implications? - With each new innovation, there are questions that arise about the impact on society, privacy, and even our humanity. Technology has the power to connect us, but also to divide. It can streamline processes, but also eliminate jobs. So, how do we navigate this complex landscape? - As we barrel into the digital age, it's crucial to approach technology with a critical eye. Let's not just embrace the shiny new gadgets, but also consider their ethical, social, and environmental implications. How can we ensure that technology serves us, rather than the other way around? - Let's remember that behind every line of code, every algorithm, and every device, there are real people with real concerns. How can we use technology to uplift, empower, and create a more inclusive world for all? - So, as we marvel at the wonders of technology, let's also take a moment to reflect on its potential pitfalls. Let's strive to harness its power for good, and create a future where innovation is not just about progress, but about purpose. - Technology is a double-edged sword, but it's up to us to wield it wisely. Let's keep the conversation going and ensure that the tech-driven world we're building is one we can be proud of. 💻🌍🔍 #TechTalk #FoodForThought #EthicalTech

🚀 Let's talk about technology for a sec. It's everywhere, right? From our smartphones to our smart homes, it's like we're living in a sci-fi movie every day. But here's the kicker - how often do we stop to think about the impact all this tech has on our lives? 💭 🔍 We're constantly connected, always plugged in, and sometimes it feels like we're losing touch with what it means to be human. Are we becoming more isolated in a world that's more interconnected than ever before? 🌐 🔥 Technology has the power to revolutionize industries, transform economies, and shape the future of humanity. But with great power comes great responsibility. Are we using technology for the betterment of society, or are we letting it control us? 🌍 🤖 Automation and artificial intelligence are changing the way we work, learn, and live. But as machines become more intelligent, do we risk losing our own ingenuity and creativity in the process? 🧠 🌟 Let's not forget the ethical dilemmas that come with technological advancements. Are we sacrificing our privacy and security for the sake of convenience and innovation? How do we balance progress with protecting our fundamental rights and values? 🛡️ 👨💻 It's a wild, wild world out there in the realm of tech. But one thing's for sure - we can't afford to be passive spectators. It's time to engage, question, and shape the future we want to see. Because when it comes to technology, the possibilities are endless - if we have the courage to dream and the wisdom to guide our choices. 💡 🚀 So, here's a challenge for you: How can we harness the power of technology to create a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive world for all? Let's start the conversation and see where it takes us. Are you in? 💬 #Technology #Innovation #Future #Ethics #Sustainability #AI #Automation #Privacy #Empowerment

If you're looking for a pithy, optimistic, positive view on resetting the relationship between Tech and the Democratic Party - I've got you covered in my latest substack post. Because tech should be bipartisan! 😎 We have fun (Make tech policy cool again!) 🤗 We're positive! 🌏 We're also honest and introspective about the importance of getting this right for the sake of democracy (Because that's why we're here above all) I'll bury the lead with my concluding remarks: What's my recommendation for a tech reset? The tried and true advice we’ve all used when our operating systems get overheated: Let’s power down. Give it a minute. And restart.