Tech Won't Save Us - Will AI Kill Your Job? w/ Brian Merchant

Paris Marx is joined by Brian Merchant to discuss whether the AI bubble is about to burst and how bosses are deploying AI tools to kill jobs and degrade work.

Brian Merchant is the author of Blood in the Machine and writes a newsletter of the same name.

Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.

The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Kyla Hewson.

Also mentioned in this episode:

What Next | Daily News and Analysis - Decorator-In-Chief

From the gold accents going up in the White House, to his orders to bring back classical design to federal buildings, Donald Trump is a president with a very specific aesthetic sensibility—which often is a manifestation of his politics.

Guest:  Abdallah Fayyed, policy correspondent at Vox

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Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther.

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NPR's Book of the Day - In ‘The Sunflower Boys,’ a 12-year-old boy comes of age during war in Ukraine

Artem is a 12-year-old Ukranian boy who likes to spend summer days on his grandfather’s sunflower farm swimming with his younger brother, Yuri. But one night in February 2022, they hear sirens and bomb blasts – and soon, they’re fleeing war. Sam Wachman’s debut novel The Sunflower Boys was inspired by his ancestral ties to Ukraine and his experience volunteering with Ukrainian children. In today’s episode, he joins NPR’s Scott Simon for a conversation about national history, the boys he tutored, and the sense of mission behind his writing.


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Risky Business with Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova - Determinative Decisions Before Birth: Genes and Names

Nate is on vacation this week, so Maria is joined by journalist David Epstein, author of The Sports Gene and Range. They talk about a new company that offers comprehensive genetic sequencing on embryos during the IVF process—at a high price. What are the ethics of this kind of technology? And what are the risks (and rewards) of trying to optimize your child’s genes? Plus, they discuss a topic they’ve been texting about for years: Does your name determine who you become?

Further Reading:

You can find more about David and his writing on his website, https://davidepstein.com/.

For more from Nate and Maria, subscribe to their newsletters:

The Leap from Maria Konnikova

Silver Bulletin from Nate Silver

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It Could Happen Here - Chicago Prepares for Occupation

Mia talks with Unraveled journalist Raven about the impending deployment of the National Guard, ICE and the Border Patrol to Chicago and how the city is preparing to resist.

Sources:

https://bsky.app/profile/unraveledpress.com

https://unraveledpress.com/support-unraveled/

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pritzker-deeply-concerned-ice-targeting-chicagos-mexican-independence-rcna228752

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The Economics of Everyday Things - EXTRA: Emoji and the Law

How do courts interpret those little icons on your phone? Zachary Crockett brings down the hammer.

 

  • SOURCES:
    • Eric Goldman, professor of law, associate dean for research, co-director at the High Tech Law Institute at the Santa Clara University School of Law.

 

 

 

Global News Podcast - Lisbon’s world-famous funicular derails

At least 15 people have died after the Gloria Funicular crashes in the Portuguese capita, Lisbon. Some of those killed were foreign nationals. Also: victims of the convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, call for all the files on the case to be released, and new research says that even one minute of vigorous physical activity, can be a life saver.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

CBS News Roundup - 09/03/2025 | World News Roundup Late Edition

Epstein survivors demand transparency. New Orleans is the latest city President Trump is eyeing to deploy National Guard troops. The Trump administration threatens to target more drug boats from Venezuela. CBS News Correspondent Jennifer Keiper with tonight's World news Roundup.

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