Tech Won't Save Us27 Jan 2022

Microsoft Wants to Dominate the Games Industry w/ Rob Zacny

Paris Marx is joined by Rob Zacny to discuss the potential consequences of Xbox’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and what subscriptions and consolidation might mean for the future of games and the industry.Rob Zacny is a senior editor at Waypoint and co-host of Waypoint Radio. Follow Rob on Twitter at @RobZacny.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. Follow the podcast (@techwontsaveus) and host Paris Marx (@parismarx) on Twitter, and support the show on Patreon.Find out more about Harbinger Media Network at harbingermedianetwork.com.Also mentioned in this episode: Rob discussed the consequences of the proposed acquisition with his colleague Patrick Klepek. Microsoft plans to buy Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. In November, Phil Spencer said he was troubled by the harassment and abuse at Activision Blizzard. QA workers at Activision’s Raven Software are seeking to unionize. The company said it won’t recognize the union, and is reorganizing the division. A new Game Developers Conference found 55% think the industry should unionize. On January 18, the US Federal Trade Commission began a process to rewrite its merger guidelines. Google shut down its Stadia game studios at least in part due to Microsoft’s acquisition of Zenimax. At GDC in 2005, a developer rant session featuring Warren Spector, Jason Della Rocca, Greg Costikyan, Brenda Laurel, and Chris Hecke presented a grim picture of where the industry was going. Support the show

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Muskism is the New Fordism w/ Ben Tarnoff & Quinn Slobodian

Paris Marx is joined by Ben Tarnoff and Quinn Slobodian to discuss their new book Muskism which explores how Elon Musk exemplifies a new economic system shaping our lives, similar to Fordism in the tw...

7 Maj 1h 5min

Tim Cook’s Real Legacy at Apple w/ Brian Merchant

Paris Marx is joined by Brian Merchant to discuss Apple’s announcement that Tim Cook is stepping down as CEO, including his history and legacy, and what may be next for the company. Brian Merchant is...

30 Apr 59min

The Problem with "CEO Said a Thing" Journalism w/ Karl Bode

Paris Marx is joined by Karl Bode to discuss how tech journalists coupled with corporate interests are irresponsibly boosting the profile of tech CEOs, further damaging public trust in institutional j...

23 Apr 59min

Cybertrucks Are a Safety Disaster w/ Dara Kerr

Paris Marx is joined by Dara Kerr to discuss how Elon’s decision to prioritize aesthetics over safety has created a safety crisis causing people to burn alive in their Cybertrucks and other Tesla vehi...

16 Apr 54min

Take A Break From The Feed w/ Amanda Mull

Paris Marx is joined by Amanda Mull to discuss the effects of constantly “monitoring the situation” through custom news, social, or live feeds, including higher rates of anxiety and disconnection, and...

9 Apr 1h 2min

Why Iran is Attacking Data Centers w/ Sam Biddle

Paris Marx is joined by Sam Biddle to discuss what it means for data centers to become targets in a war, and how Silicon Valley is aiding the US war against Iran. Sam Biddle is a technology journalis...

2 Apr 59min

The Long History of the US War on Iran w/ Spencer Ackerman

Paris Marx is joined by Spencer Ackerman to discuss the US and Israeli war on Iran, including the history that led to this moment and what we might see from here. Spencer Ackerman is the author of Re...

26 Mars 1h 6min

Elon Musk and Jeffrey Epstein w/ Ed Niedermeyer

Paris Marx is joined by Ed Niedermeyer to discuss the years-long relationship between Elon Musk and Jeffrey Epstein, and how their relationship sheds light on the murky inner workings of the one perce...

19 Mars 1h 18min