Reclaiming the Internet

We may not always understand the evolution of the internet and how tech monopolies exist, but having digital freedom fighters is vital to making conscious change. Today's guest is Cory Doctorow. Cory is a science fiction author, activist, and journalist. He is the author of many books and most recently, Picks and Shovels, The Bezel, and The Lost Cause, a solar punk science fiction novel of hope amidst the climate change emergency. 

His most recent nonfiction book is the internet con How to Seize the Means of Corruption, a big tech disassembly manual. Other recent books include Red Team Blues, a science fiction crime thriller. In 2020, he was inducted into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame

Cory talks about the slow decline of online platforms and has spent decades fighting for digital rights, fair tech policy and a better, freer internet. His work spans peer to peer networks to antitrust reform and his books—fiction and nonfiction—have become battle cries for tech reformers and digital freedom fighters around the world.

In this episode we talk about how we got here, what Cory sees as the most urgent threats to digital freedom and the small cracks in the system that might finally let the light back in. From jailbreaking laws and app store monopolies to what comes after big tech’s dominance, Cory shares a roadmap for reclaiming the internet—not just as consumers but as citizens.

Show Notes:

• [00:59] Cory shares his background. He's a science fiction novelist, activist, and journalist. He worked with the Electronic Frontier Foundation for over 23 years.
• [01:20] Cory has written more than 30 books. Most of them are science fiction novels. He's also co-owner and was co-editor for 19 years for the blog Boing Boing.
• [02:43] Being born in 1971 with a computer scientist father meant they had teletype terminals in the house.
• [04:01] Cory shares his interesting and pioneering internet and tech history.
• [05:17] We learn about the origins of Cory's love for science fiction.
• [07:21] Cory shares a story about how he was mentored by Judy Merril.
• [09:08] Cory talks about the internet and the changes we've seen from modems and memory cards to FidoNet to now. 
• [15:09] Currently, he's as worried about the internet as he is excited about its potential.
• [16:13] He's concerned about the internet becoming a powerful tool of surveillance and control.
• [18:46] Possible paths forward or hill climbing and reevaluating. 
• [22:00] We discuss why printer ink is $10,000 a gallon. It's about laws protecting big tech.
• [29:45] The hopeful optimistic view of the internet. We're close to making positive changes.
• [32:31] Advice for consumers is to be a citizen. 
• [34:16] Cory talks about the Electronic Frontier Alliance or EFA.
• [45:30] Talking about Cory's books and art. 
• [46:31] He says he writes when he's anxious. He talks about his book Red Team Blues. He wrote the last book first and realized that you can write in any order.
• [49:01] Bizarre early computers and the storyline of the new. 

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