This Machine Kills
Technology
About
A podcast about technology and political economy /// Agitprop against innovation and capital /// Hosted by Jathan Sadowski and Edward Ongweso Jr., Produced by Jereme Brown /// Hello friends and enemies Listen anywhere that fine podcasts are distributed. Subscribe at patreon.com/thismachinekills to get premium episodes every week.
Episodes
- Patreon Preview – 456. Do Not Question Project Cannoli
This Machine Kills discusses the opposition to data centers, analyzing arguments against this opposition and focusing on the material conditions that lead communities to resist these projects. The hosts examine how these projects are often…
- 455. The Anti-Anti-Anti-Data-Centers Social Club
This episode of This Machine Kills deconstructs arguments against data center moratoriums. It discusses how these arguments may lead to outcomes that benefit corporate power rather than achieving leftist goals.
- Patreon Preview – 454. The Shocks Keep Coming
This episode of This Machine Kills examines two significant international political economy shocks. The first is China's export-led competition in advanced manufacturing and high-tech goods, and the second involves disruptions to synthetic…
- 453. Super “Intelligent” Industrial Policy
The hosts analyze OpenAI's report, "Industrial Policy for the Intelligence Age: Ideas to Keep People First," evaluating the company's proposals regarding a transition to superintelligence. They offer a critique of the report's suggested po…
- Patreon Preview – 452. Lady Luck is the World Spirit
In this Patreon preview episode of This Machine Kills, Jathan Sadowski and Edward Ongweso Jr. discuss "silicon sampling" in public polling and the implications of using complex models to predict and shape human behavior. The hosts also exp…
- 451. Do Not Become Addicted to Electrons (ft. Tim Sahay, Kate Mackenzie)
Jathan Sadowski and Edward Ongweso Jr. are joined by Tim Sahay and Kate Mackenzie to discuss the energy transition, financial markets, fossil fuel disruptions, and the shift from petrostates to electrostates amid a global polycrisis.
- Patreon Preview – 450. Sorry Grandma, Computer Says Die
Jathan Sadowski and Edward Ongweso Jr. discuss a controversial new aged care algorithm in Australia that has faced criticism for automating decisions regarding elderly care. They examine the impacts of replacing human expertise with automa…
- 449. Efficiently Drowning in Work
In this episode, the hosts discuss two studies indicating that AI technology tends to intensify and expand labor rather than reducing workloads. They also provide information regarding an upcoming live show in San Francisco.
- Patreon Preview – 448. Dubai’s Golden Dome Crumbles
The hosts discuss the integration of Claude into the Palantir Maven Smart System for use in targeting in Iran. They also explore the risks posed to the Gulf states' infrastructure and the tech industry's investments in the region due to ge…
- TMK Live Show in San Francisco - March 19th
Jathan and Ed host a live panel discussion in San Francisco featuring Wendy Liu and Jimmy Wu. The event focuses on left-wing tech criticism and decoding the tech vibe shift.
- 447. The Shinji Problem
This episode explores the complex relationship between Anthropic, OpenAI, and the Pentagon regarding contracts for AI weapon and surveillance systems. The hosts analyze the debate over guardrails and lawful uses, arguing that these dispute…
- Patreon Preview – 446. Vibe Decoder (ft. Wendy Liu, Jimmy Wu)
Hosts Jathan Sadowski and Edward Ongweso Jr. discuss the rise of right-wing tech culture in San Francisco with guests Wendy Liu and Jimmy Wu from the Bay Area Current. They examine tech intelligentsia publications and the impact of B2B SAA…
- 445. What’s Democracy Got to Do With AI? (ft. Bruce Schneier)
This Machine Kills features Bruce Schneier discussing the complex relationship between AI and democracy. The conversation covers how AI can concentrate power and wealth, but also how it can be used to empower citizens and strengthen democr…
- Patreon Preview – 444. The Stories We Tell
In this episode of This Machine Kills, hosts Jathan Sadowski and Edward Ongweso Jr. recap their experience at Capricon, a science fiction convention. They discuss panels on luddism, the politics of the future, and the significance of story…
- 443. Behold the Big Beautiful AI State (ft. Brian Chen)
Brian Chen joins the podcast to discuss his report on the Trump administration's industrial policy, which aims to achieve global AI technological dominance by de-risking infrastructure, controlling markets, and acquiring equity in private…
- Patreon Preview – 442. The Empire of Blood and Oil
This podcast episode discusses the Karp x Fink interview at Davos, an EPA rule change valuing human life at zero in regulatory cost-benefit analysis, and how this impacts the American Empire of Blood and Oil. It also touches on Adam Tooze…
- 441. The Fight Over AI Use in Mental Healthcare (ft. Ciara Keegan, Ilana Marcucci-Morris)
In episode 441, Ciara Keegan and Ilana Marcucci-Morris of NUHW join "This Machine Kills" to discuss their contract dispute with Kaiser Permanente. The conversation centers on the use and implications of AI in mental and behavioral healthca…
- Patreon Preview – 440. TMK x CES: Return to Hell
Ed Ongweso Jr. shares insights from the Consumer Electronics Show, highlighting trends like chatbot wrappers, AI features, and the push for convenience. The episode touches on the infantilization of humanity and
- 439. Do Socialists Dream of Electric Institutions, Part 2 (ft. Aaron Benanav)
Aaron Benanav joins the show to discuss his essays "Beyond Capitalism," focusing on developing substantial visions for an alternative world and detailing the political economic foundations and institutional framework needed to construct a…
- Patreon Preview – 438. Bloodsport for Billionaires
This Machine Kills episode discusses the year ahead in tech, including the potential for an overinflated asset bubble, and speculates on a hypothetical "bloodsport for billionaires." The hosts are Jathan Sadowski and Edward Ongweso Jr.
- 437. Do Socialists Dream of Electric Institutions, Part 1 (ft. Aaron Benanav)
Part 1 of a conversation with Aaron Benanav on 'This Machine Kills' explores his critique of capitalism's core logic of production for profit maximization. The discussion emphasizes that alternatives must change the system's goals, moving…
- Patreon Preview – 436. Panic! Attack the User
This episode of This Machine Kills discusses moral panics surrounding technology, including vaping in schools, online porn verification, and teen social media use. The hosts argue that these panics often serve as a guise for regressive soc…
- 435. Schoolwork Will Set You Free
This episode discusses the concept of AI Jesus and delves into the abusive practices at Alpha School, a charter school employing AI authoritarianism and punitive metrics within its personalized learning software. The hosts explore how thes…
- Patreon Preview – 434. Gang Stalking Palantir
This Machine Kills episode 434, "Patreon Preview – 434. Gang Stalking Palantir," delves into an interview with Alex Karp, touching on themes of paranoia and the concept of becoming a targeted individual. It references articles about Karp,…
- 433. How to Think About Disability (ft. Becca Monteleone)
In episode 433, Becca Monteleone joins the hosts of This Machine Kills to discuss her book, "The Double Bind of Disability: How Medical Technology Shapes Bodily Authority." They explore the intersection of disability and technology, focusi…
- Patreon Preview – 432. Shadowbanned From Candy Crush
Hosts Jathan Sadowski and Edward Ongweso Jr. discuss recent events from the New Luddism conference, gamerism, and the role of anti-China sentiment in liberal political discourse. This episode is a preview for Patreon supporters.
- 431. How Amazon Workers are Organizing for Climate Justice (ft. Eliza Pan, Dawn)
This episode features Eliza Pan and Dawn from Amazon Employees for Climate Justice discussing their organizing efforts to hold Amazon accountable for sustainability promises. They explore how AI and data centers have spurred discussions on…
- Patreon Preview – 430. Bring the Pain
This episode of This Machine Kills features a discussion on tech media personalities, followed by an analysis of the large-scale layoffs at Amazon and Meta. The hosts explore how prioritizing AI capital expenditures is leading to cuts in o…
- 429. The Nature of Capital and Freedom (ft. Alyssa Battistoni)
In episode 429 of This Machine Kills, host interview Alyssa Battistoni, author of "Free Gifts: Capitalism and the Politics of Nature." They discuss how capitalism interacts with the natural world, its tendency to subsume and control natura…
- 428. Patreon Preview – Antichrist Superstartup
This episode discusses political control over police and Erebor, a new bank with ties to tech billionaires. It also delves into Peter Thiel's scholastic interpretation of biblical revelations and his Antichrist lectures.
- 427. Many Worlds of Extraction (ft. Laleh Khalili)
In episode 427, Laleh Khalili joins hosts Jathan Sadowski and Edward Ongweso Jr. to explore the diverse systems and actors involved in extractive capitalism, highlighting its connection to global economic structures.
- Patreon Preview – 426. The Road to Hell is Paved with Advertisements
The podcast episode "Patreon Preview – 426. The Road to Hell is Paved with Advertisements" from "This Machine Kills" explores the AI productivity paradox, where companies are investing in AI without clear profitability. It details how this…
- 425. The Oxymorons of Green Capitalism (ft. Thea Riofrancos)
This episode features Thea Riofrancos discussing the oxymoronic nature of green capitalism. They delve into its political economies, material infrastructures, extractive industries, and the importance of understanding lithium's role.
- Patreon Preview – 424. Me and My AI
This episode of This Machine Kills discusses the trend of personal literary essays about AI, noting that they often reveal more about the authors' anxieties than the technology itself. The hosts reference a piece in N+1 that applies litera…
- 423. Violence, Fast and Slow
This episode of This Machine Kills discusses the assassination of Charlie Kirk and its potential to incite further violence. The hosts also analyze a new essay on the weaponized world economy, exploring its impact on global politics, marke…
- Patreon Preview – 422. Demon Valley
This podcast episode previews content about Nicole Shanahan, a tech billionaire involved with Silicon Valley and Burning Man, referred to as a "demon hunter" and exploring "soul-corrupting psycho-politics." The episode is hosted by Jathan…
- 421. To AGI, or Not to AGI, That is the Question
The episode discusses the different factions within Silicon Valley's AI boosterism, including those focused on AGI, economic applications, and geopolitical power, and notes Eric Schmidt's seemingly contradictory stances.
- Patreon Preview – 420. Long Live the Moron Kings
This episode previews a discussion on fringe futurists, biohackers, and technocrats who are using their resources and dreams to pursue immortality and wealth. The conversation is based on a New Yorker article titled 'How to Live Forever an…
- 419. The Launch of a Stillborn God
The podcast episode discusses the underwhelming launch and reception of GPT-5, analyzing the gap between industry claims and reality. It also explores the productivity paradox concerning AI, questioning whether AI truly boosts workplace pr…
- Patreon Preview – 418. The Trump Pump
This Patreon preview episode of "This Machine Kills" covers the Trump administration's proposed drone regulations for delivery services and explores the financial entanglements between the Trump family and the cryptocurrency industry, refe…
- 417. Whose AI Bubble Is It Anyways? (ft. Paris Marx, Brian Merchant)
Ed chats with Paris Marx and Brian Merchant about artificial intelligence, exploring the differing visions for AI value chains in the United States, Europe, and China.
- Patreon Preview – 416. The Neverending Race
This episode of This Machine Kills discusses Trump’s AI Action Plan, Silicon Valley imperialism, and the concept of an AI arms race. It touches on AI’s role in American force projection and soft power, and the impossibility of winning a ra…
- 415. It’s Time to Build… Radical Policy for AI (ft. Sarah Myers West, Amba Kak)
Jathan Sadowski and Edward Ongweso Jr. are joined by Amba Kak and Sarah Myers West from the AI Now Institute to discuss their AI Landscape Report and a policy agenda for AI regulation.
- Patreon Preview – 414. Deus Ex Zuck
Mark Zuckerberg
- 413. ScamGPT – How AI Supercharges Fraud (ft. Alice Marwick)
This episode features Alice Marwick discussing a report on generative AI's role in escalating fraud and scams. AI makes sophisticated scams easier and cheaper to deploy at scale, automating them and making them ubiquitous and dynamic.
- Patreon Preview – 412. Sweat Your Genetic Assets
This episode discusses Nucleus Genomics, a startup aiming for embryo genetic optimization, linking this to ideologies of genetic hierarchies and AI's "Gentle Singularity."
- 411. Big Easy’s Big Brother
This episode of This Machine Kills explores a secret collaboration between the New Orleans Police Department and Project NOLA, a private entity operating extensive camera networks. The partnership enabled live facial recognition and automa…
- Patreon Preview – 410. Palantir’s Psychohistory
This episode discusses Palantir's role in implementing a federal database and individual profiles under a Trump executive order. It also explores the company's larger influence on promoting theocratic techno-nationalism.
- 409. The Breakup Meltdown
This episode of This Machine Kills covers several high-profile relationship dynamics. Topics include the falling out between Trump and Musk, the renewed connection between Palmer Luckey and Mark Zuckerberg, and OpenAI's categorization of n…
- 408. Synthetic Text Extruder Hype (ft. Emily Bender, Alex Hanna)
This episode features Emily Bender and Alex Hanna discussing the workings and limitations of AI systems, comparing them to "synthetic text extruders" and datasets to "pink slime." They address the hype surrounding AI's impact, particularly…