Keen On

EPISODE 1908: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Alix Olson and Alex Zamalin, co-authors of THE ENDS OF RESISTANCE, about radically new and historically trusted strategies for resisting neo-liberalismAlix Olson is an assistant professor of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies at Emory University’s Oxford College. Before her academic career, she toured internationally as a spoken word artist. Olson is the editor of Word Warriors: 35 Women Leaders in the Spoken Word Revolution (2007) and is a widely published poet.Alex Zamalin is professor of Africana studies and political science at Rutgers University–New Brunswick. He is the author of six books, including Struggle on Their Minds: The Political Thought of African American Resistance (2017) and Black Utopia: The History of an Idea from Black Nationalism to Afrofuturism (2019), also with Columbia University Press.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addit

Happy New Year everyone!Substack are automating the transcripts now of video interviews. It’s free (at the moment), so no apologies if the transcripts are worthless. But more to come on this front in 2024. I enjoyed listening to Kunzru. Hope you will too. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

EPISODE 1907:  In our weekly KEEN ON wrap of tech news with Keith Teare, author of  the THAT WAS THE WEEK newletter,  Keith explains why predicting the future is for fools and looks back at 2023 while refusing to make hard predictions about 2024Keith Teare is a Founder and CEO at SignalRank Corporation. Previously he was Executive Chairman at Accelerated Digital Ventures Ltd - A UK-based global investment company focused on startups at all stages. He was also previously the founder at the Palo Alto incubator, Archimedes Labs. Archimedes was the original incubator for TechCrunch and since 2011 has invested, accelerated or incubated many Silicon Valley startups including Around (sold to Miro), Millicast (Sold to Dolby), InFarm, Miles, Quixey; M.dot (sold to GoDaddy); chat.center; Loop Surveys; DownTown and Sunshine. Teare has a track record as a serial entrepreneur with big ideas and has achieved significant returns for investors.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongs

EPISODE 1907: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to the novelist and Harper's magazine columnist Hari Kunzru, about our nostalgia for vinyl records and the reappearance of ethnic nationalism in Italy.HARI KUNZRU is the author of six novels, Red Pill, White Tears, Gods Without Men, My Revolutions, Transmission, and The Impressionist. He is a regular contributor to The New York Review of Books and writes the “Easy Chair” column for Harper’s Magazine. He is an Honorary Fellow of Wadham College Oxford, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and has been a Cullman Fellow at the New York Public Library, a Guggenheim Fellow, and a Fellow of the American Academy in Berlin. He teaches in the Creative Writing Program at New York University and is the host of the podcast Into the Zone, from Pushkin Industries. He lives in Brooklyn.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the hos

EPISODE 1906: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Noa Yedlin, author of STOCKHOLM: A NOVEL, explains why literary humor isn't a funny thing and imagines the kind of character Netanyahu might be in a novelNoa Yedlin is an Israeli author, the recipient of the Sapir Prize (the Israeli Man Booker) and the Prime Minister's Literature Award and author of the bestselling House Arrest, Stockholm, People Like Us and The Wrong Book. Yedlin was named by Haaretz Magazine one of "66 Israeli Women You Should Know". Yedlin is also the creator of a two-season TV series based on her bestselling novel Stockholm (the Israeli Best Mini-Series TV Award). A German remake of the series (You Don't Die Among Friends) won Best Scripted Format at 2021 International Format Awards and Best European Series at La Rochelle Festival De La Fiction 2021. The series is now being re-made by SVT Sweden (broadcast: Christmas 2022). Her bestselling novel People Like Us is currently being developed into a series in Israel. A stage adaption of Hous

EPISODE 1905: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Gerard Epstein, author of BUSTING THE BANKERS' CLUB, about why bankers represents both the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde of American capitalism and how to create a more equitable financial system for the rest of usGerald Epstein is Professor of Economics and a founding Co-Director of the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He received his PhD in Economics from Princeton University in 1981. Epstein has written articles on numerous topics including financial crisis and regulation, alternative approaches to central banking for employment generation and poverty reduction, economists’ ethics and capital account management and capital flows and the political economy of financial markets and institutions. Most recently his research has focused on the impacts of financialization (Gerald Epstein, ed. Financialization and the World Economy, Elgar Press, 2005), alternatives to inflation targeting (Gerald Epstein and Erinc Ye

EPISODE 1904: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Charles Crowson, author of JAM TOMORROW?, about why time really matters in economicsCharles Crowson is a finance professional with over twenty years’ experience in the investment industry. Having spent a decade running the London office of a large, US event-driven hedge fund, he has more recently been involved in asset management, working as a global macro portfolio manager. Charles’ career has spanned the dotcom crash, the global financial crisis and the subsequent Eurozone crisis, as well as the more recent 2020 Covid crash and subsequent stock-market bubble. Charles publishes a bi-weekly blog (Market Depth) aimed at explaining the complexities and nuances of developments in global economics and markets for readers from a non-expert background.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To F

EPISODE 1903: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to renowned futurist Kevin Surace about why creative artists must master AI technology in 2024Kevin Surace is a Silicon Valley innovator, serial entrepreneur, CEO, TV personality and EDUTAINER. Kevin has been featured by Businessweek, Time, Fortune, Forbes, CNN, ABC, MSNBC, FOX News, and has keynoted hundreds of events, from INC5000 to TED and the US Congress. He was INC Magazines’ Entrepreneur of the Year, a CNBC top Innovator of the Decade, World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, Chair of Silicon Valley Forum, Planet Forward Innovator of the Year nominee, featured for 5 years on TechTV’s Silicon Spin, and inducted into RIT’s Innovation Hall of Fame. Mr. Surace led pioneering work on the first cellular data smartphone (AirCommunicator), the first plastic multichip semiconductor packages, the first human-like AI virtual assistant (Portico), soundproof drywall, high R-value windows, AI-driven building management technology, Generative AI for QA, supply-chain multivar

EPISODE 1902: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to the LA Times book critic, Bethanne Patrick, about her six favorite novels of the yearBethanne Patrick maintains a storied place in the publishing industry as a critic and as @TheBookMaven on Twitter, where she created the popular #FridayReads and regularly comments on books and literary ideas to over 200,000 followers. Her work appears frequently in the Los Angeles Times as well as in The Washington Post, NPR Books, and Literary Hub. She sits on the board of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation and has served on the board of the National Book Critics Circle. She is the host of the Missing Pages podcast. Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE A

EPISODE 1901: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Charles Kupchan, author of ISOLATIONISM, about the illusional idealism shaping American foreign policyCharles Kupchan is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and professor of international affairs at Georgetown University in the Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of Government. From 2014 to 2017, Kupchan served as special assistant to the president and senior director for European affairs on the staff of the National Security Council (NSC) in the Barack Obama administration. He was also director for European affairs on the NSC during the first Bill Clinton administration.  Before joining the Clinton NSC, he worked in the U.S. Department of State on the policy planning staff.  Previously, he was an assistant professor of politics at Princeton University. Kupchan is the author of Isolationism: A History of America's Efforts to Shield Itself From the World (2020), No One's World: The West, the Rising Rest, and the Coming Global

EPISODE 1900: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Kishore Mahbubani, author of THE ASIAN 21st CENTURY, about the end of Western domination and the rise of Asian societies, economies and philosophiesKishore Mahbubani is a Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute (ARI), National University of Singapore (NUS). Mr Mahbubani has been privileged to enjoy two distinct careers, in diplomacy (1971 to 2004) and in academia (2004 to 2019). He is a prolific writer who has spoken in many corners of the world. In diplomacy, he was with the Singapore Foreign Service for 33 years (1971 to 2004). He had postings in Cambodia, Malaysia, Washington DC and New York, where he twice was Singapore’s Ambassador to the UN and served as President of the UN Security Council in January 2001 and May 2002. He was Permanent Secretary at the Foreign Ministry from 1993 to 1998. As a result of his excellent performance in his diplomatic career, he was conferred the Public Administration Medal (Gold) by the Singapore Government in

EPISODE 1899: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Miles Johnson, author of CHASING SHADOWS and host of the HOT MONEY podcast, about how today's international criminal gangs mirrors the authoritarian politics of our ageMiles Johnson is an investigative reporter for the Financial Times. He has written stories about Russian mercenaries, Mayfair casino heists, money laundering by the Italian mafia, Vatican financial scandals, and covert sanctions busting. He is the author of Chasing Shadows: A True Story of Drugs, War and the Secret World of International Crime (Little, Brown Book Group, 2023), a narrative non-fiction book about international organised crime, drug trafficking and terrorism. He joined the FT in 2008 and has reported from London and multiple other countries, including as a foreign correspondent in Rome, Madrid and New York.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he

EPISODE 1898: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Mark Minevich, author of OUR PLANET POWERED BY AI, about how the AI  revolution can fix the future of healthcare, education and climateMark Minevich is the President and founding partner of Going Global Ventures. He is a digital cognitive AI strategist, AI expert, investor, UN Advisor, and advocate with expertise in Artificial Intelligence.  Mark is also a Co-Founder and Co-Chair of AI for Planet Alliance with UN Agencies, a Senior Advisor to BootstrapLabs Venture Capital, and an Executive Advisor to Artefact. Mark advises the public sector, large global enterprises, and brands in the US, EU, South America, Japan, and Gulf countries. Mark is a Chair of the Executive committee of AI for Good Foundation and is a member of the Executive committee of WorkingNation, a pioneering national organization focusing on the Future of Work. Additionally, he holds the role of Senior fellow of the US Council on Competitiveness in Washington, DC. He dedicates innovation effo

EPISODE 1897: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Max Marshall, author of AMONG THE BROS, about a Fraternity crime story that reveals the rigged system of money and power in 21st century AmericaMax Marshall Max Marshall is a writer and journalist. Raised in Texas, he attended Columbia University, where he graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 2016. He served as a Princeton in Asia Media Fellow in Hanoi, Vietnam, and his work has appeared in GQ, Texas Monthly, Sports Illustrated, and the New York Times. He lives in Austin.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Liti

EPISODE 1896: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary General of International IDEA, about the fragile state of democracy around the world in 2023Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora, PhD has been the Secretary-General of International IDEA since August 2019. Casas-Zamora has more than 25 years of experience in democratic governance as a researcher, analyst, educator, consultant, and public official. He embodies the rare combination of a distinguished academic career—strongly focused on electoral systems and democratic institutions—with practical experience as a high-level public official in his home country as well as in multilateral organizations. Casas-Zamora is Senior Fellow at the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington, DC-based policy research centre. Until recently, he was member of Costa Rica’s Presidential Commission for State Reform, and managing director at Analitica Consulting (Analitica Consultores). Previously, he was Costa Rica’s Second Vice President and Minister of National Planni

EPISODE 1895: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to the co-editor of PROJECT CENSORED's STATE OF THE FREE PRESS 2024, about how "solutions journalism" offers a more truthful alternative to corporate owned media in America todayANDY LEE ROTH is the associate director of Project Censored. He has co-edited thirteen previous editions of Project Censored’s yearbook, in addition to contributing chapters on Iceland and the commons (Censored 2014), the Military Commissions Act (Censored 2009) and news photographs depicting the human cost of war (Censored 2008). His research on topics ranging from ritual to broadcast news interviews and communities organizing for parklands has also appeared in journals including the International Journal of Press/Politics; Social Studies of Science; Media, Culture & Society; City & Community; and Sociological Theory. His articles have also appeared in YES! Magazine, Index on Censorship, Truthout, and In These Times. He holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of California

EPISODE 1894:  In our weekly KEEN ON wrap of tech news with Keith Teare, author of  the THAT WAS THE WEEK newletter,  Keith explains why  AI will radically disrupt traditional internet search engines like GoogleKeith Teare is a Founder and CEO at SignalRank Corporation. Previously he was Executive Chairman at Accelerated Digital Ventures Ltd - A UK-based global investment company focused on startups at all stages. He was also previously the founder at the Palo Alto incubator, Archimedes Labs. Archimedes was the original incubator for TechCrunch and since 2011 has invested, accelerated or incubated many Silicon Valley startups including Around (sold to Miro), Millicast (Sold to Dolby), InFarm, Miles, Quixey; M.dot (sold to GoDaddy); chat.center; Loop Surveys; DownTown and Sunshine. Teare has a track record as a serial entrepreneur with big ideas and has achieved significant returns for investors.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcast

EPISODE 1893: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Jeneva Rose and Drew Pyne about #CrimeTime, their TikTok driven real-life crime audiobook based on a true robbery in the Chicago apartment buildingJeneva Rose is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including the million-copy bestselling thriller, The Perfect Marriage. Her work has been translated into more than two dozen languages and optioned for film/tv. Originally from Wisconsin, she currently lives in Chicago with her husband, Drew, and her English bulldog, Winston. Drew Pyne received his MBA from Cornell and took enough credits to get one-sixth of an MFA (this apparently means something to him). Originally from Wisconsin, he now lives in Chicago with his talented wife, Jeneva Rose, and English bulldog. When he’s not working or cowriting, you can find him reacting to movies on TikTok or playing video games. #CrimeTime is his first cowritten project with his wife Jeneva. Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, And

EPISODE 1892: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to the Columbia Business School academic, Shai Davidai, about what American universities should be doing to confront anti-semitism and promote a two-state peace between Israelis and PalestiniansShai Davidai is Assistant Professor in the Management Division of Columbia Business School. His research examines people’s everyday judgments of themselves, other people, and society as a whole. He studies the psychological forces that shape, distort, and bias people’s perceptions of the world and their influence on people’s judgments, preferences, and choices. His topics of expertise include the psychology of judgment and decision making, economic inequality and social mobility, social comparisons, and zero-sum thinking. His work has been published in top-tier journals, including the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Science Advances, Scientific Reports, Nature Psychology Reviews, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, the Journal of Experimenta

EPISODE 1891: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Gregory Wallance, author of INTO SIBERIA, about the original George Kennan and his epic journey through the frozen heart of RussiaGREGORY J. WALLANCE  is a New York-based lawyer (a retired partner at Kaye Scholar and Arnold & Porter), writer, and former federal prosecutor and human rights activist. Gregory is the author of Papa's Game, about the theft of the French Connection heroin, which received a nonfiction nomination for an Edgar Allan Poe Award (The New York Times: “a colorful account [and] an inside look at an interesting, if ugly, period in the history of law enforcement.”); Two Men Before the Storm: Arba Crane’s Recollection of Dred Scott and the Supreme Court Case That Started The Civil War (The Boston Globe: “an evocative historical novel”); and America’s Soul in the Balance:  The Holocaust, FDR’s State Department, and the Moral Disgrace of An American Aristocracy  (Jewish Book Council: ''An important contribution to the debate surrounding the