Meet The Host: From “The Social Dilemma” to Tech & Tea

Tech & Tea is a podcast & newsletter about how technology impacts our lives and what we’re doing about it.

Conversation Summary

I left the industry to change the way people consider their life with technology. I wrote a book, I informed regulation, and I was featured in the world’s most watched technology documentary: The Social Dilemma. My work has been seen and impacted millions of people around the world but despite being almost a decade in, I know we’re just at the beginning of the journey.

After The Social Dilemma, I knew the world needed a better narrative to turn responsible technology into the cultural phenomena it needed to be. Nearly 10 years later, after thousands of events and media appearances, countless laws drafted—a few passed, and a few businesses later, I’ve created Tech & Tea to tell the stories of the people I’ve met along the way.

Table of Contents

• Welcome to Tech & Tea

  • Who do we talk to?

  • Exposing The World’s Greatest Social Dilemma

  • From Awareness to Action

  • Tech & Tea: The Narrative of Responsible Technolog …

  • Do you have a story you’d like to share?

Exposing The World’s Greatest Social Dilemma

Nearly a decade ago, I left my role consulting for Google to pursue a mission that was to change the way we use technology and the way its impacting our society. Most people don’t know the full story behind that process, they just know I’m the guy they now see on TV or have seen on TV for quite some time. I won’t spend your attention writing all the details but the summary is this:

• I broke my lease at my place in SF, sold everything I owned, and pulled all my money out of my bank account at the time to fund this

• I lived out of my car (2009 Honda Accord couple) for nearly 2.5 months as I traveled the western half of the United States going anywhere that would allow me to speak—and believe me, at that time there were a lot of places that wouldn’t have me.

• About a year in I started getting more pickup and was flown to places to speak, my ability to tell a coherent story still budding

• About 2 years in my book, Automating Humanity publishes

• Six to 12 months into being a published author I’m interviewed by The Social Dilemma team, who would keep production under wraps for another two years

• Three years in, I’m advising Attorneys General about Facebook + Google Anti-trust cases, beginning to draft laws and testify before government officials

• Year four I get invited to see The Social Dilemma at Sundance. I go because I’m both excited but also scared I need a PR agent and maybe a lawyer. The movie crushes. I knew it was going to be big.

• In between I’m creating a business called Pulse Policy to autogenerate better Terms of Service, Privacy Policies, etc

• End of Year four, The Social Dilemma launches and is #1 on Netflix in all developed nations around the world for a month straight—Netflix was dumbfounded, most films only hit that for a few days, maybe a week maximum at their peak

• My life turns into a media rollercoaster for the next 12 months, landing on nearly every national news broadcast channel in the world at one point or another—ABC, MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, CBC in Canada, KBS in Korea, CGTN in China, The Zeit in Germany, Sky in the UK, Keshet in Isreal, and the list goes on.

• And since, its been an unbelievable journey featured in hundreds of podcasts and live events, pulled into regulatory conversations around the world, requested for advisor roles on some of the most meaningful movements of our time, and that was just the beginning

The Social Dilemma is now the most watched technology documentary in the history of the world. While I’ve been told time and again how talented we all are, and how brave we were for being in that film, I believe it happened the way it did for a couple reasons:

1. Yes, of course, we had great talent involved in the film, we’re blessed for the cohort that came together

2. The film wasn’t just a bunch of experts talking at you, it was a real story and it matched peoples’ lived experiences

3. We dropped the film at the right moment in history.

The last bullet there is the most important—timing. I had been saying the same thing for nearly half a decade at that point and yet this one picked up. I believe that’s because of timing. Edward Snowden had been out for nearly a decade raising awareness of surveillance. The Great Hack had been out before us covering the election integrity issues in 2016, and how algorithms manipulated the vote. News stories were starting to pop up about the abuses of Silicon Valley. The world was finally ready to receive this message.

From Awareness to Action

When I consider change, I consider it from a framework of awareness, literacy, and then action. The fact that The Social Dilemma hit so big was largely due to the fact that the world was aware enough that they wanted to discover the truth. But even so, most people were not literate enough to spot these issues on their own and definitely not enough to actually take action.

After the release of "The Social Dilemma," I found myself compelled to embark on a mission—one that would redefine how we perceive and interact with technology. Witnessing the film's portrayal of the pervasive influence of social media on our lives was a pivotal moment. It underscored the urgent need for a cultural shift towards responsible technology usage—a shift that transcends mere regulation and instead, cultivates a collective understanding and conscientious engagement with the digital world.

Since that moment, my journey has been one of advocacy, education, and storytelling. It began with thousands of events where I spoke passionately about the impact of technology on society. These weren’t just speeches; they were conversations aimed at sparking reflection and action. Alongside these engagements, I navigated the intricate world of policymaking, drafting and advocating for laws that would safeguard user privacy, promote transparency in algorithmic decisions, and encourage ethical practices in tech development.

Amidst these endeavors, I founded several businesses, each with a singular goal: to integrate responsible technology principles into their core operations. These ventures weren’t merely about profit; they were about demonstrating that ethical business practices and technological innovation can coexist harmoniously.

Through it all, one thing became abundantly clear: the need for a new narrative. When I was in conferences, professionals ask how to sell this to their boss so they can create change and financial impact. Government officials would ask “is it really hurting consumers?” and “do people really care?” all the time because the numbers are hard to find and stories are hidden by search algorithms. Parents would tell me the worst stories about what’s happening to their children online and that they either 1) don’t know who to reach out to, 2) have anyone to reach out to, or worse yet, 3) those they can reach out to don’t believe them or don’t know how to stop it.

Tech & Tea: The Narrative of Responsible Technology

The realization I’ve had over the last decade is that there’s a massive underbelly of people and communities who are now aware enough to want to make change but either don’t have the leverage or the language to do so. "Tech & Tea" was born from this realization—a platform dedicated to telling the stories of the individuals and communities I encountered on my journey. These are stories of resilience in the face of digital addiction, of innovation that prioritizes human welfare, and of regulatory victories that ensure our digital rights are protected.

"Tech & Tea" is not just about highlighting problems; it’s about showcasing solutions. It’s about celebrating the entrepreneurs who design technologies with empathy and accountability. It’s about amplifying the voices of policymakers who champion legislation that balances innovation with societal well-being. And most importantly, it’s about telling the stories of individuals who have been impacted and what they did so others are empowered to navigate the digital landscape with knowledge and agency.

As I reflect on the evolution of "Tech & Tea" and my ongoing commitment to this cause, I am reminded of the transformative power of storytelling. Stories have the ability to shape perceptions, inspire action, and foster empathy. They are a potent tool in cultivating a cultural shift towards responsible technology.

Join me on this journey as we explore the multifaceted world of technology through the lens of humanity. Let’s sip on some tea and delve into narratives that not only inform but also empower us to shape a future where technology serves as a force for good.

Together, let’s rewrite the narrative of technology—one story at a time.

Do you have a story you’d like to share?

I know you’re new to this, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a story worth telling. We’ve had everything from politicians and tech insiders to local school teachers and grandmothers on our podcast. What we care about is the story and the need for others to hear it.