We chat for a bit about Trump’s AI Action Plan – more to come on this next week – before getting into broader questions about Silicon Valley imperialism, American force projection and soft power through AI, the endlessly convenient competition against China, the impossibility of winning an AI arms race with no defined finish line, among other things. Plus a new addition to our tech freak watch.
••• Come to Jathan’s book launch in Melbourne on August 14th at 6:00pm! There will be fun conversation, an open bar, and books for sale! Register for free here: https://events.humanitix.com/sadowkski-the-mechanic-and-the-luddite-launch
••• Trump's AI Action Plan is a blueprint for dystopia https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/trumps-ai-action-plan-is-a-blueprint
••• Trump Plans to Give A.I. Developers a Free Hand https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/technology/trump-ai-executive-orders.html
••• Why Big Tech is threatened by a global push for data sovereignty https://restofworld.org/2025/big-tech-data-sovereignty/
••• OpenAI signs deal with UK to find government uses for its models https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/21/openai-signs-deal-with-uk-to-find-government-uses-for-its-models
••• The metamorphosis of Shaun Maguire https://www.businessinsider.com/shaun-maguire-silicon-valleys-most-maga-firebrand-sequoia-mamdani-2025-7
Standing Plugs:
••• Order Jathan’s new book: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520398078/the-mechanic-and-the-luddite
••• Subscribe to Ed’s substack: https://substack.com/@thetechbubble
••• Subscribe to TMK on patreon for premium episodes: https://www.patreon.com/thismachinekills
Hosted by Jathan Sadowski (bsky.app/profile/jathansadowski.com) and Edward Ongweso Jr. (www.x.com/bigblackjacobin). Production / Music by Jereme Brown (bsky.app/profile/jebr.bsky.social)
The Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canada plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September, becoming the third G7 nation to make such an announcement in recent days. Mr Carney said such a move would depend on democratic reforms, including the Palestinian Authority holding elections next year without Hamas. His remarks come a day after the UK announced it would recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire and other conditions and a week after France made a similar announcement. Israel has condemned the moves, calling them a reward for terrorism.
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Across the country, K-12 teachers are prepping classrooms, reviewing lesson plans, and bracing for another school year that, for some, feels politically and personally charged.
The Department of Education is slowly being dismantled by the Trump administration. In some districts, immigration officials have shown up at schools, which likely contributed to a rise in student absences last spring. And artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping what both teaching and learning look like.
We hear directly from educators and what's at the top of their minds as they head into the new school year.
A new documentary film titled “The Walkout,” created by the Know Your Neighbor initiative of the H. E. Butt Foundation, revisits the historic 1968 Edgewood High School student walkout. The film will premiere on August 2 at the Edgewood Performing Arts Center, the Edgewood Fine Arts Theatre.array(3) {
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Federal Reserve leaves rates unchanged, against President Trump's wishes. Federal investigators hold hearing on collision between military helicopter and American Airlines jet over the Potomac in January. Slight impact on the West Coast from tsunami driven by massive earthquake off Russia's east coast.
CBS News Correspondent Jennifer Keiper with tonight's World News Roundup.
A major earthquake off the coast of Russia set off widespread tsunami alerts and evacuations all across the Pacific. It was the strongest quake on the planet since 2011, and the sixth largest ever recorded. Moderate tsunami waves reached the shores of Hawaii and the West Coast. Most of the damage has been minor and without serious injuries. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In our news wrap Wednesday, Gaza health authorities say Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least 46, New York police say the Park Avenue gunman bought the rifle used in the attack from his supervisor at a Las Vegas casino, former Vice President Harris announced she is not running for California governor and Texas Republicans proposed a congressional map that would help the GOP win more seats. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Members of the U.S. House have left Washington for their summer break, and Republicans are working to promote the tax and spending cuts President Trump recently signed into law. But concerns about cuts to Medicaid remain. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports from Louisiana, home to the top two House leaders, and the state with the greatest reliance on Medicaid in the country. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
An estimated 42% of Americans over 55 will eventually develop dementia. A new study revealed the strongest evidence yet that a balanced diet, consistent exercise and social activity helped improve cognition. Amna Nawaz discussed the study with Jessica Langbaum, the senior director of research strategy at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Criminologist Nick Cowen joins to explore how drunk driving transformed from a tolerated norm to a societal taboo, and how deterrence works best when paired with norm-shaping—catching people before tragedy and using lighter sanctions to nudge behavior. He argues that even violent crime clusters could be tackled through community-level norm shifts. Plus, after the worst mass shooting in New York City in 25 years, the New York Times’ spotlights the shooter’s CTE claims and symbolic vendetta against the NFL.In the Spiel, claims we’re reliving 1999. Produced by Corey Wara
