DeepSummary
In this podcast episode, Kara Swisher, a journalist who has been covering the tech industry for decades, discusses her new memoir 'Burn Book' and her experiences reporting on tech leaders like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. She talks about how these figures often lie or distort reality, but she argues that they sometimes even lie to themselves.
Swisher reflects on her interactions with Elon Musk, describing how she initially found him fascinating and engaging, but over time, she saw his more juvenile and erratic side emerge as he became wealthier and surrounded himself with people who agreed with him. She also discusses Musk's controversial comments about COVID-19, suggesting that he was possibly under the influence of drugs during one of their interviews.
Despite her disillusionment with some aspects of the tech industry, Swisher remains optimistic about the potential of technology and artificial intelligence to improve education and connect people worldwide. However, she acknowledges that the way these technologies have been rolled out has also led to division and isolation.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Kara Swisher has observed that tech leaders like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk often lie or distort reality, but she argues that they sometimes even lie to themselves.
- Swisher initially found Elon Musk fascinating and engaging, but over time, she saw his more juvenile and erratic side emerge as he became wealthier and surrounded himself with people who agreed with him.
- Swisher suggests that Musk may have been under the influence of drugs during one of their interviews where he made controversial comments about COVID-19.
- Despite her disillusionment with some aspects of the tech industry, Swisher remains optimistic about the potential of technology and artificial intelligence to improve education and connect people worldwide.
- Swisher acknowledges that the way these technologies have been rolled out has also led to division and isolation.
- Swisher believes that tech leaders often have to suspend disbelief and even lie to themselves in order to pursue their ambitious goals.
- Swisher maintains a sense of humility and perspective on her role as a journalist, suggesting that she does not believe she holds significant influence over the tech leaders she covers.
- Swisher's memoir 'Burn Book' explores the sometimes delusional mindsets of tech leaders while still acknowledging the positive potential of technology.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “They essentially steal our data, chomp it up, and hand it back to us to eat.“ by Kara Swisher
- “And then I was like, oh, he's living in a video game.“ by Kara Swisher
- “They almost have to lie to themselves.“ by Kara Swisher
- “I don't think I have a lot of power. I really don't.“ by Kara Swisher
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Episode Information
NPR's Book of the Day
NPR
7/1/24
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