Politechs
@politechs.bsky.social
A podcast on the politics of technology from the perspective of tech workers.
Pinned
Politechs
@politechs.bsky.social
· Jul 15
Politechs
A podcast exploring the inherent political nature of technology
politechs.dev
In recent years, there has been a desire from certain high-profile tech companies for an "apolitical workplace". This in itself is a political act, designed to suppress the power of tech workers. They know that politics is inextricable from tech. And now so do you.
politechs.dev
politechs.dev
@parismarx.com, host of Tech Won't Save Us, lays out a vision for an alternative model of technology that serves the people, rather than the billionaire class, and how we have a unique opportunity to not only reject US tech, but to build something better in its place.
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Politechs Episode 15 - Alternatives - Paris Marx
Josh and Ray talk to Paris Marx about how to build alternatives to the Silicon Valley model of computing
politechs.dev
September 14, 2026 at 4:54 PM
@parismarx.com, host of Tech Won't Save Us, lays out a vision for an alternative model of technology that serves the people, rather than the billionaire class, and how we have a unique opportunity to not only reject US tech, but to build something better in its place.
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
I really enjoyed @hypervisible.blacksky.app 's appearance on the Blood in the Machine podcast!
www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/the-revolt...
www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/the-revolt...
The revolt against Meta’s ‘pervert glasses’ is part of a growing storm
AI. Data centers. Flock cameras. Now Meta’s “pervert” glasses. Breaking down the latest stage of a mass resistance to big tech with Chris Gilliard, privacy scholar and author of Luxury Surveillance.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
September 2, 2026 at 5:47 AM
I really enjoyed @hypervisible.blacksky.app 's appearance on the Blood in the Machine podcast!
www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/the-revolt...
www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/the-revolt...
In the penultimate episode of the season, Josh and Ray finally answer the question of whether any of this hellish AI technology can be redeemed. In other words, is heavenly AI possible?
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Politechs Episode 14 - HEAVENLY AI
Josh and Ray reflect on the season and ask if HEAVENLY AI is possible.
politechs.dev
August 31, 2026 at 5:20 AM
In the penultimate episode of the season, Josh and Ray finally answer the question of whether any of this hellish AI technology can be redeemed. In other words, is heavenly AI possible?
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Friend of the show Dr. Chris Gilliard @hypervisible.blacksky.app returns to help us wrestle with the question of whether any of this "AI" technology can be redeemed.
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Politechs Episode 13 - Redemption? - Dr. Chris Gilliard
Dr. Chris Gilliard is back to help us answer the question of redemption.
politechs.dev
August 17, 2026 at 5:07 AM
Friend of the show Dr. Chris Gilliard @hypervisible.blacksky.app returns to help us wrestle with the question of whether any of this "AI" technology can be redeemed.
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
We're joined this week by @danmcquillan.bsky.social to talk decomputing, dehumanisation, dealignment, and some things that don't start with de- as well! politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Politechs Episode 12 - Decomputing - Dan McQuillan
Josh and Ray talk decomputing with Dr. Dan McQuillan.
politechs.dev
August 3, 2026 at 7:03 AM
We're joined this week by @danmcquillan.bsky.social to talk decomputing, dehumanisation, dealignment, and some things that don't start with de- as well! politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Libraries are amazing, and library workers are a big part of that!
Libraries are still essential in the digital age. Some librarians are even helping patrons ditch AI and get off Big Tech.
This week Hannah Cyrus and @flexlibris.bsky.social join @parismarx.com to discuss how libraries address people’s concerns about tech.
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/338_...
This week Hannah Cyrus and @flexlibris.bsky.social join @parismarx.com to discuss how libraries address people’s concerns about tech.
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/338_...
July 24, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Libraries are amazing, and library workers are a big part of that!
We're joined by @emilymbender.bsky.social to understand what the project of "AI" actually is, and why understanding that is hard by design. Dr. Bender invites us to view LLMs as synthetic text extruding machines and then reject synthetic text altogether.
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Politechs Episode 11 - Rhetorical Technology - Emily M. Bender
Dr. Emily M. Bender talks about why language matters.
politechs.dev
July 20, 2026 at 5:53 AM
We're joined by @emilymbender.bsky.social to understand what the project of "AI" actually is, and why understanding that is hard by design. Dr. Bender invites us to view LLMs as synthetic text extruding machines and then reject synthetic text altogether.
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Library Freedom Project founder @flexlibris.bsky.social and member @kslater.bsky.social dispel the myth that now that we have chatbots, we don't need libraries, explain the central role library workers have in resisting AI, and tell us how we all can support libraries.
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Politechs Episode 10 - Libraries - Alison Macrina and Kay Slater
Josh and Ray talk to Alison Macrina and Kay Slater about how AI is affecting libraries.
politechs.dev
July 6, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Library Freedom Project founder @flexlibris.bsky.social and member @kslater.bsky.social dispel the myth that now that we have chatbots, we don't need libraries, explain the central role library workers have in resisting AI, and tell us how we all can support libraries.
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
In our latest episode, 5th grade teacher Nate Madson Dion schools us on how technology has crept into primary schools, how the inevitability narrative manifests with teachers and administrators, and how he has found effective ways to resist: politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Politechs Episode 9 - Educators - Nate Madson Dion
Josh and Ray talk to 5th grade teacher Nate Madson Dion about AI in primary schools.
politechs.dev
June 22, 2026 at 7:42 AM
In our latest episode, 5th grade teacher Nate Madson Dion schools us on how technology has crept into primary schools, how the inevitability narrative manifests with teachers and administrators, and how he has found effective ways to resist: politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Software engineer and reluctant activist Radhika talks about epistemic violence, identity, immutability, the Enlightenment, common law, and many other things besides to illustrate just one of the ways in which trans people's lives are under attack.
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Politechs Episode 8 - Trans Rights - Radhika
Josh and Ray discuss the impacts of AI on trans people with Radhika.
politechs.dev
June 8, 2026 at 6:54 AM
Software engineer and reluctant activist Radhika talks about epistemic violence, identity, immutability, the Enlightenment, common law, and many other things besides to illustrate just one of the ways in which trans people's lives are under attack.
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
@karenhao.bsky.social joins us to discuss her book, "Empire of AI". She explains why the Silicon Valley hyper-scaled LLM flavour of AI is an imperial technology, and has become even more so in the past year as it's increasingly incorporated in the US military's wars. politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Politechs Episode 7 - Empire - Karen Hao
Josh and Ray learn about AI as an imperial technology from Karen Hao
politechs.dev
May 25, 2026 at 6:50 AM
@karenhao.bsky.social joins us to discuss her book, "Empire of AI". She explains why the Silicon Valley hyper-scaled LLM flavour of AI is an imperial technology, and has become even more so in the past year as it's increasingly incorporated in the US military's wars. politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
We welcome our favourite political scientist, Dr. Anna Colom ( @annacolom.eurosky.social ), back on the show to dive into democracy: what is it really, how does AI threaten it, and how can it be built for real?
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Politechs Episode 6 - Democracy - Anna Colom
Josh and Ray talk democracy with Dr. Anna Colom.
politechs.dev
May 11, 2026 at 5:24 AM
We welcome our favourite political scientist, Dr. Anna Colom ( @annacolom.eurosky.social ), back on the show to dive into democracy: what is it really, how does AI threaten it, and how can it be built for real?
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
In our latest episode, we sit down with noted fugitive decolonial Luddite scholar Dr. Syed Mustafa Ali to discuss how we can engage with sci-fi not to occlude the real harms of AI, but to throw them into stark relief. And then we talk about Dune!
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Politechs Episode 5 - Sci-fi - Syed Mustafa Ali
Noted fugitive decolonial Luddite scholar Dr. Syed Mustafa Ali explores the Butlerian Jihad, both in the Duniverse and our universe.
politechs.dev
April 27, 2026 at 5:42 AM
In our latest episode, we sit down with noted fugitive decolonial Luddite scholar Dr. Syed Mustafa Ali to discuss how we can engage with sci-fi not to occlude the real harms of AI, but to throw them into stark relief. And then we talk about Dune!
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Foz Meadows joins us to discuss his "Against AI" polemic, the sheer stupidity of thinking we can outsource the act of thinking to machines that do not think, and the role that science fiction and fantasy writers have to play in resisting the inevitability narrative: politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Politechs Episode 4 - Writers - Foz Meadows
Josh and Ray talk to science fiction and fantasy writer Foz Meadows.
politechs.dev
April 13, 2026 at 4:54 AM
Foz Meadows joins us to discuss his "Against AI" polemic, the sheer stupidity of thinking we can outsource the act of thinking to machines that do not think, and the role that science fiction and fantasy writers have to play in resisting the inevitability narrative: politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Datacentres might seem boring, but Aurora Gómez Delgado of Tu Nube Seca Mi Río explains how they are stealing water and energy, and what that means for growing crops, people trying to pay their electricity bills, and the availability of clean drinking water. politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Politechs Episode 3 - Datacentres - Aurora Gómez Delgado
Josh and Ray discuss datacentres in the age of AI with Aurora Gómez Delgado.
politechs.dev
March 30, 2026 at 5:40 AM
Datacentres might seem boring, but Aurora Gómez Delgado of Tu Nube Seca Mi Río explains how they are stealing water and energy, and what that means for growing crops, people trying to pay their electricity bills, and the availability of clean drinking water. politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Automation of targeting decisions for the express purpose of making them faster... what could go wrong?
"Computer says kill" is the ultimate accountability sink.
"Computer says kill" is the ultimate accountability sink.
March 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM
Automation of targeting decisions for the express purpose of making them faster... what could go wrong?
"Computer says kill" is the ultimate accountability sink.
"Computer says kill" is the ultimate accountability sink.
In our first interview for Season 2, we're delighted to sit down with @anthonymoser.com to discuss his piece "I Am An AI Hater", politeness, copyright, the law, how AI is the perfect tool for fascism, and the importance of collective action in resisting it all!
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Politechs Episode 2 - Hate - Anthony Moser
Josh and Ray hate on AI with world-renowned AI hater Anthony Moser.
politechs.dev
March 16, 2026 at 6:04 AM
In our first interview for Season 2, we're delighted to sit down with @anthonymoser.com to discuss his piece "I Am An AI Hater", politeness, copyright, the law, how AI is the perfect tool for fascism, and the importance of collective action in resisting it all!
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Don't hold back, Foz, tell us what you really think! 😉
@edwardongwesojr.com has talked about how they're effectively trying to recreate the plantation economy.
I think looking at anything through the lens of how it affects workers is a powerful analytical tool.
@edwardongwesojr.com has talked about how they're effectively trying to recreate the plantation economy.
I think looking at anything through the lens of how it affects workers is a powerful analytical tool.
I don’t think we talk enough about how the foundational, most aspirational premise of the AI industry is “what if there was a human-level intelligence that didn’t have human rights.” Like. Exploitation is literally the whole point! Of COURSE they hold human life, intelligence and labour in contempt!
March 13, 2026 at 4:51 AM
Don't hold back, Foz, tell us what you really think! 😉
@edwardongwesojr.com has talked about how they're effectively trying to recreate the plantation economy.
I think looking at anything through the lens of how it affects workers is a powerful analytical tool.
@edwardongwesojr.com has talked about how they're effectively trying to recreate the plantation economy.
I think looking at anything through the lens of how it affects workers is a powerful analytical tool.
On Friday, OpenAI agreed to give the Pentagon ChatGPT for any use, including mass surveillance of Americans and autonomous AI weapons that kill without human oversight. This corrupt deal puts every person in danger. So the people are fighting back.
luma.com/f5iks5d0?loc...
luma.com/f5iks5d0?loc...
QuitGPT Protest: No Killer Robots, No AI Surveillance · Luma
📍 Right outside OpenAI HQ (Can register anon)
📅 March 3rd (Tuesday) | 4-6PM
Last Thursday, Anthropic refused to let the Department of War sidestep its basic…
luma.com
March 3, 2026 at 5:41 AM
On Friday, OpenAI agreed to give the Pentagon ChatGPT for any use, including mass surveillance of Americans and autonomous AI weapons that kill without human oversight. This corrupt deal puts every person in danger. So the people are fighting back.
luma.com/f5iks5d0?loc...
luma.com/f5iks5d0?loc...
Much to their chagrin, Josh and Ray discover that Season 1 of Politechs wasn't sufficient to destroy AI. They conclude that the only thing to do is assemble a Luddite army and launch a new assault on HELLISH AI. Welcome to Season 2 of Politechs!
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Politechs Episode 1 - Still AI?
Josh and Ray are back to talk about... AI again?
politechs.dev
March 2, 2026 at 7:42 AM
Much to their chagrin, Josh and Ray discover that Season 1 of Politechs wasn't sufficient to destroy AI. They conclude that the only thing to do is assemble a Luddite army and launch a new assault on HELLISH AI. Welcome to Season 2 of Politechs!
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
politechs.dev/episodes/s02...
Are you ready for Politechs season 2? Well, that was a rhetorical questions, because we're bringing the fire whether you're ready or not, and @fozmeadows.bsky.social is packing a flamethrower!
politechs.dev/clips/s02-wr...
politechs.dev/clips/s02-wr...
politechs.dev
February 22, 2026 at 5:36 AM
Are you ready for Politechs season 2? Well, that was a rhetorical questions, because we're bringing the fire whether you're ready or not, and @fozmeadows.bsky.social is packing a flamethrower!
politechs.dev/clips/s02-wr...
politechs.dev/clips/s02-wr...
Reposted by Politechs
AI is Epstein Tech (concentrated networks of masculine power, conspiracism, widespread apparatus of abuse).
February 21, 2026 at 10:14 AM
AI is Epstein Tech (concentrated networks of masculine power, conspiracism, widespread apparatus of abuse).
I'm loving these new nonadhesive camera covers from tabtag.com! 😍
February 19, 2026 at 2:41 PM
I'm loving these new nonadhesive camera covers from tabtag.com! 😍
New friend of the show who doesn't yet know Lauren Woolsey beats Politechs to the aural punch by recording "I Am An AI Hater"! And it turns out there's a recording of the Portuguese version as well? 🤯
We'd better hurry up with season 2! 😅
Our interview with @anthonymoser.com drops in mid-March!
We'd better hurry up with season 2! 😅
Our interview with @anthonymoser.com drops in mid-March!
I recorded an audio version of the essay "I am an AI Hater" by @anthonymoser.com - it's been on my to-do list and I really wanted to share his message today.
If you have 5.5 minutes, give it a listen!
(Note: the word shit appears twice, overall pretty tame language given the subject matter LOL)
If you have 5.5 minutes, give it a listen!
(Note: the word shit appears twice, overall pretty tame language given the subject matter LOL)
Audio Recording of "I Am An AI Hater" by Anthony Moser
Text: https://anthonymoser.github.io/writing/ai/haterdom/2025/08/26/i-am-an-ai-hater.html
padlet.com
February 19, 2026 at 7:11 AM
New friend of the show who doesn't yet know Lauren Woolsey beats Politechs to the aural punch by recording "I Am An AI Hater"! And it turns out there's a recording of the Portuguese version as well? 🤯
We'd better hurry up with season 2! 😅
Our interview with @anthonymoser.com drops in mid-March!
We'd better hurry up with season 2! 😅
Our interview with @anthonymoser.com drops in mid-March!
It's vital not to give in to the inevitability myth, and for me, seeing successful acts of resistance gives me an injection of energy and helps me to maintain the discipline of hope. Like this: an estimated $98 billion in projects were blocked or delayed in Q2 2025 alone!
www.datacenterwatch.org
www.datacenterwatch.org
Data Center Watch
www.datacenterwatch.org
February 15, 2026 at 6:04 AM
It's vital not to give in to the inevitability myth, and for me, seeing successful acts of resistance gives me an injection of energy and helps me to maintain the discipline of hope. Like this: an estimated $98 billion in projects were blocked or delayed in Q2 2025 alone!
www.datacenterwatch.org
www.datacenterwatch.org