The podcast "Uncanny Valley," hosted by Michael Calore, Lauren Goode, and Zoe Schiffer, delves into the intricate interplay of people, power, and influence in Silicon Valley. In a recent episode, the hosts explored significant issues including the backlash against Tesla and a distressing saga involving deepfakes that highlights the darker side of technology.
One of the most compelling stories discussed revolves around Breeze Liu, a former venture capitalist and startup founder. Liu faced an alarming situation when explicit videos of her were shared on Pornhub without her consent. The videos, taken when she was just 17 years old, sparked a complex battle for justice and privacy.
After discovering the unauthorized uploads, Liu reached out to Microsoft for assistance. Unfortunately, her pleas were met with indifference, as she was stonewalled for years in her quest to have the content removed. This lack of support from a major corporation underscores the challenges faced by individuals confronting online exploitation.
Compounding her difficulties, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Kids (NCMEC) was unable to provide help because Liu could not prove she was underage at the time the videos were recorded. Nonprofits and victim aid groups also faced legal limitations, as it is illegal in the U.S. to host or view explicit content depicting a minor. It wasn't until much later that Microsoft finally took action, removing a substantial amount of the problematic content.
The conversation then shifted gears to explore Tesla’s recent decline in sales. In January 2024, the company experienced a notable drop in registrations in Europe, particularly in Norway, where numbers fell by 38%. This downturn comes amid growing scrutiny over Tesla's practices and the evolving landscape of electric vehicles.
As both the Trump and Biden administrations emphasize domestic chip manufacturing, there is an increasing focus on advancements in AI technology. The recent emphasis on chip processing reflects broader trends in tech and industry, which are shaping future innovations.
The episode's hosts expressed their thoughts on these topics with characteristic candor. Zoe Schiffer acknowledged the overwhelming desire for validation in today’s tech-driven world.
"It's so obvious when you have a bad night of sleep. You wake up and you feel like trash. The idea that we need our phones to verify this. No, you know when it's happening, and yet I so deeply want the validation. I love the quantified life, I want to be able to see it in numerical form. I'm all in." – Zoe Schiffer
Lauren Goode echoed similar sentiments about excitement surrounding new technological innovations, reminiscing about past experiences with gadgets.
"It's like the old days of the Gadget Lab. It's been such a long time since I've been excited about a new piece of hardware, but I am." – Lauren Goode
The discussion also highlighted personal experiences that resonate with many listeners. Goode shared her own health journey, bringing a human touch to the conversation.
"I'm good. I am feeling better than I was feeling last week, I was a little bit sick. I have to say, I'm excited about a gadget right now." – Lauren Goode
As they navigated through these pressing issues, it became clear that "Uncanny Valley" serves not only as a platform for exploration but also as a space for reflection on the societal implications of technology.
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