The Mythos of Technology and Capitalism w/ Jathan Sadowski
Spirits
Multitude
4.8 • 2K Ratings
🗓️ 28 May 2025
⏱️ 56 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Technology and capitalism? In your mythology podcast? It’s more likely than you’d think! We’re joined by Jathan Sadowski, professor and podcaster, to discuss the myth of inevitability, the modern Eleusinian Mysteries of Silicon Valley, and why technologists need to read better sci-fi.
Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of capitalism, US politics, AI, racism, slave labor, and animal sacrifice.
Guest
Jathan Sadowski is a Senior Lecturer in the Emerging Technologies Research Lab // Department of Human Centred-Computing // Faculty of Information Technology // Monash University // Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of The Mechanic and the Luddite: A Ruthless Criticism of Technology and Capitalism. He is also the cohost of a weekly podcast on technology and political economy: This Machine Kills.
Housekeeping
- Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at spiritspodcast.com/books
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Sponsors
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Find Us Online
- Website & Transcripts: spiritspodcast.com
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Cast & Crew
- Co-Hosts: Julia Schifini and Amanda McLoughlin
- Editor: Bren Frederick
- Music: Brandon Grugle, based on "Danger Storm" by Kevin MacLeod
- Artwork: Allyson Wakeman
- Multitude: multitude.productions
About Us
Spirits is a boozy podcast about mythology, legends, and folklore. Every episode, co-hosts Julia and Amanda mix a drink and discuss a new story or character from a wide range of places, eras, and cultures. Learn brand-new stories and enjoy retellings of your favorite myths, served over ice every week, on Spirits.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The Welcome to spirits, a boosy dive into mythology, legends, and folklore. |
| 0:32.4 | Every week we pour a drink and learn about a new story from around the world. |
| 0:36.0 | But today, Julia, I'm stone cold sober because it's time to take down capitalism, one book |
| 0:41.6 | and three people out of time. |
| 0:42.8 | I'm Amanda. |
| 0:43.4 | I'm Julia. |
| 0:44.6 | And we're joined today by Jathan Sadowski. |
| 0:46.8 | Jathan, do you go by doctor? |
| 0:48.0 | Do you do by PhD? |
| 0:49.1 | Do they call it differently in Australia? |
| 0:51.0 | I do have a PhD. I do have a doctor in front of my name, but I absolutely do not go by that at all. |
| 0:58.3 | Fair, fair enough. |
| 0:59.4 | I feel like if I had a doctorate, I would be owned by doctor, whatever, like, every |
| 1:03.3 | day. |
| 1:03.9 | I would get my coffee and I would be like, yes, Dr. Chafini, I wanted the hazelnut latte. |
| 1:09.3 | You're correct. |
| 1:10.3 | That's me. |
| 1:10.7 | I feel like it gets old and embarrassing very quickly. I wanted the hazelnut latte. You're correct. That's me. |
| 1:13.6 | I feel like it gets old and embarrassing very quickly. |
| 1:16.6 | Fair enough, fair enough. |
| 1:17.5 | Shout out. |
| 1:22.9 | Well, you are here, Jathan, for many reasons, including that you were the author of two books, |
... |
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