#372: World Without Mind The Existential Threat of Big Tech

Published: Jan. 18, 2018, 8:02 p.m.

b'During the past decade three companies have revolutionized the way we shop, socialize, and find information. I\\u2019m talking, of course, about Amazon, Facebook, and Google. While these companies have made our lives easier in many ways, my guest today argues that they\\u2019re also eroding autonomy and individuality. His name is Franklin Foer and he\\u2019s the author of the book, "World Without Mind: The Existential Threat of Big Tech." Today on the show, Franklin talks about how the utopian ideals of Silicon Valley have led to an internet that is becoming more and more homogenized and centralized. We then dig into how the vast amounts of personal information these companies have about us can be used to manipulate us. Franklin then argues that while these companies make us feel more autonomous, they\\u2019re actually diminishing our choices and reducing our individuality. We end our conversation discussing ideas on what you can do to maintain your sense of autonomy in today\\u2019s atmosphere.'