The Future of Tech May Not Be What You Think | with Jesse Hirsh

Tech with Newton

In this thought-provoking episode, host Newton sits down with Jesse Hirsh, a unique voice at the intersection of technology and agriculture. Jesse is a technology futurist, farmer, and former tech journalist operating from his fiber-connected farm in Eastern Ontario.

Jesse has an infectious energy that lifts spirits and enables creative critical thinking.

As the founder of the Academy of the Impossible, Jesse conducts ground-breaking research into the future of media, technology, and culture while examining the ethical and societal implications of artificial intelligence and algorithmic media.

The conversation explores the future of information technology, highlighting how agriculture could become the centerpiece of technological evolution. Jesse and Newton discuss how early information technology was developed around the time of the second world war, and how it has slowly evolved into a tool of control—collecting data, capturing human attention, and ultimately influencing behavior. They delve into the uncomfortable realities of mass layoffs in the tech industry, driven by AI advancements, using examples like Elon Musk’s reduction of Twitter’s workforce and Mark Zuckerberg’s similar moves at Meta.

The episode introduces a compelling perspective on the rise of independent tech entrepreneurs and hacker communities, which operate outside the confines of corporate IT enterprises. These digital renegades, with their self-governed platforms and autonomous technologies, could serve as humanity’s defence against a future dominated by centralized authority. The discussion imagines a world where the threat of an authoritarian "President of Earth" is counterbalanced by these decentralized communities and their disruptive innovations.

The episode also offers practical strategies for listeners to prepare for the future. Jesse provides actionable insights on how to adapt to technological changes, maintain personal autonomy, and thrive in the evolving digital landscape. From embracing skills for the future job market to reconnecting with nature and living more sustainably, the conversation is both enlightening and empowering.

Additional topics include the ethical concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, the challenges of living under potential authoritarian rule, and the uneasy relationship between earning a living and staying happy. Jesse’s deep understanding of these issues, coupled with his unique perspective as a futurist farmer, makes this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of technology and its impact on humanity.

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