Howard Rheingold: “People Got to Be Free”

Howard Rheingold calls himself an Independent Instigator & Observer, and we are so glad he is. Since the 60s, when the first concepts of personal computing and connecting humankind through networks were merely ideas on an LSD trip, he’s been watching how technology and human minds interrelate. Howard brings us up to the macro level, discussing how modes of communication shape the way societies behave, or how expressing hope can save an entire generation. Then he takes us to the micro level, comparing Facebook to other platforms that better encourage self-expression, telling us about the ‘five essential literacies’ for surviving in the modern world, and giving a huge list of recommended reading—like any good professor would. LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE (FOR FULL LIST OF LINKS, SEE OUR FULL WEBPAGE): Michael Pollan’s book: How to Change Your Mind Higher Creativity: Liberating the Unconscious for Breakthrough Insights by Howard Rheingold and Willis Harman The WELL Howard’s TED Talk: “The New Power of Collaboration” Alan Kay’s article in Scientific American “Microelectronics in the Personal Computer" Future Shock by Alvin Toffler Whole Earth Catalog (on Amazon and Wikipedia) and the Millennium Whole Earth Catalog Our Minds Have Been Hijacked by Our Phones. Tristan Harris Wants to Rescue Them from Wired.com Connected Learning Alliance What the Dormouse Said: How the Sixties Counterculture Shaped the Personal Computer Industry by John Markoff Doug Engelbart’s “Mother of All Demos” video— the world debut of personal and interactive computing in 1968! Howard’s Patreon profile   MUSICAL INSPIRATION FOR THIS EPISODE ON SPOTIFY: "People Got to Be Free" by The Rascals    ABOUT THIS PODCAST Stayin' Alive in Tech is an oral history of Silicon Valley and technology. Melinda Byerley, the host, is a 20-year veteran of Silicon Valley and the founder of Timeshare CMO, a digital marketing intelligence firm, based in San Francisco. We really appreciate your reviews, shares on social media, and your recommendations for future guests. And check out our Spotify playlist for all the songs we refer to on our show. 

Om Podcasten

The tech industry is great at talking about the future, especially on podcasts. What we're not so great at is taking the time to understand our past. And that's what this podcast is all about. From the Noyce and Fairchild Semiconductor generation through the founding of social media, the history of Silicon Valley has many lessons for us. And we'll be interviewing the people who lived through these experiences to bring their knowledge to you. You'll get explanations for how we got where we are, which can also suggest where the future might be; along with a few laughs and inside stories from those who lived through it. So pull up a seat and listen to the tales of the past, in which may lie seeds for our future. New Episodes twice a month on Thursdays.