The Periphery

Big Tech in Hindsight (with Obama Administration FTC Chair Jon Leibowitz) Mar 14, 2023

Jon Leibowitz was at the FTC when Big Tech became... well... big, where he saw the landscape of mergers and acquisitions that have resulted in the monopolies we know oh so well today. Join the Periphery as we sit down with former FTC Chair Jon Leibowitz to discuss Big Tech then (at the industry's inception) and now, the Neo-Brandeisian movement attempting to revitalize antitrust, and more!

Executive Producers: Adam Shankman, Afi Blackshear, and August Gweon

Leave us a review, comment, or an e-mail (theperipherypodcast@gmail.com), and come back next week for more!

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Let's Talk About Tipping (with Duncan Harrison, Sommelier and Manager of Bar Zola) Mar 07, 2023

Tipping has received a relatively high level of scrutiny over the last year or so. This week, Jess, Adam, and Marcus (new member!!) invite our favorite Bar Manager and Sommelier to talk about how complicated creating a fair restaurant business can be. Duncan also makes the first public announcement of the forthcoming bar opening where Palo Alto staple Old Pro used to be. Check it out!

As always, leave us a review, a rating, and send us an e-mail with your thoughts at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com. See you next week!

Executive Producers: Mercer Weis and Annie Reller

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Online Platforms and the First Amendment (with Jameel Jaffer, Director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University) Feb 28, 2023

Last week was the so-called "Internet Super Bowl" because the Supreme Court heard two cases that could change the internet as we know it. This week, The Periphery releases an episode from the vault that provides context for cases currently. Join our conversation from November where we talk to Professor Jameel Jaffer, Director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, about why it is so hard to get the internet right. We also talk about how our private lives may have died after 9/11.

Leave us a review, comment, or an e-mail (theperipherypodcast@gmail.com), and come back next week for more!

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Grandma Baby's Story (1932-2022) Feb 21, 2023

This week, the Periphery releases a conversation recorded in 2018 between Afi and his great grandmother Baby (Maggie Pittman, 1932-2022). At just 4'9, Grandma Baby was an elite cotton-picker (best in the family), an ardent student (she integrated her schools), an early-stage technologist (i.e., career secretary), a homeowner, a fighter, and an inspiration to multiple generations of her Black community. It is our pleasure to share a part of her story in honor of Black History Month.

Leave us a review, comment, and subscribe! And we love feedback, so don't be afraid to shoot us an e-mail at: theperipherypodcast@gmail.com. See you next week!

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On the Periphery: Dating Apps Feb 14, 2023

This week, the Periphery discusses dating apps with members of the periphery.

Executive Producers: Jessica Seamands, Ava Acevedo, Afi Blackshear

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The (Growing?) Power of Cities: Climate Edition Feb 07, 2023

This week, The Periphery discusses the power of cities and the opportunity for them to fill the power vacuum that the Supreme Court has apparently created in its recent decision West Virginia v. The Environmental Protection Agency. We also speak with Tyler Zorn, a current Columbia graduate student with experience working in the environmental space at the local level in New York City. Thanks for joining the conversation!

0:00 - 10:12: Afi's San Diego City Council experience, how cities and climates interact, and new rulings from the Supreme Court

10:12 - 25:18: Tyler Zorn conversation

25:18 - close: debriefs, takeaways, and Adam (startup) v. Afi (government) disputes

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and send us any ideas or feedback that you'd like to share at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com.

CREDITS:

Executive Producer: Afi Blackshear and Mercer Weis

Music: Finlay Mowat

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Reintroducing the Periphery Jan 27, 2023

The Periphery used to have a tech focus, and we described ourselves as society and culture podcast disguised in tech.

But…here’s the thing. As we wrapped on season 2 and started brainstorming this season, we found ourselves feeling a bit boxed in. There are a lot of interesting peripheral conversations that are sometimes made less interesting, at least to us, when we’re restricted to discussing them through the lens of tech. So while the disruptive and powerful technologies that are transforming our society will always be an important element of this podcast, we are adopting a more sociological approach to understanding what technology means and its connections to culture and power. But do not fret. Our focus will always be geared toward bridging the two sides of the periphery: those empowered at the frontier and those on the margins that are left out.

See you Tuesday, February 7th!

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Silicon Valley: Then & Now (with Former New York Times Journalist John Markoff) Aug 30, 2022

This week, The Periphery talks to former New York Times technology journalist John Markoff. Join us as we discuss Silicon Valley back when he grew up and began his career covering technology, and how that history has led to the current moment. This includes discussion on the blockchain (which Markoff first covered in 1992), artificial intelligence, demography, and automation.

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and send us any ideas or feedback that you'd like to share at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com. And be sure to become a Conversationalist on our Patreon if you are eager to support our efforts to diversify tech.

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Radical Dreams: The Promise of Civic Tech and the Power of Memes (with Stephen Caines, Deputy Innovation Officer at San Jose MOTI) May 17, 2022

This week, The Periphery talks to Stephen Caines, the Deputy Chief Innovation Officer at the San Jose Mayor's Office of Technology and Innovation (MOTI), about the potential of civic technology and the role of city governments in unlocking it, Stephen's path from law school to municipal government in the heart of Silicon Valley, and the strange and disturbing dynamics of radicalization online.

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and send us any ideas or feedback that you'd like to share at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com. And be sure to become a Conversationalist on our Patreon if you are eager to support our efforts to diversify tech.

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Artificial Intelligence and the California Dream (with Ella Lucas, Engineering Team Lead at involve.ai) May 10, 2022

This week, The Periphery talks to Ella Lucas, the Engineering Team Lead at involve.ai. We discuss artificial intelligence, its future, and the principles that can guide our relationship with the transformative technology. We also talk about the California Dream and whether it still exists as its sold.

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and send us any ideas or feedback that you'd like to share at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com. And be sure to become a Conversationalist on our Patreon if you are eager to support our efforts to diversify tech.

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Democracy, Radicalization, and Crowded Content Platforms (with Nora Benavidez, Director of Digital Justice & Civil Rights at Free Press) May 03, 2022

This week, The Periphery talks to Attorney Nora about content moderation, radicalization, and democracy.

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and send us any ideas or feedback that you'd like to share at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com. And be sure to become a Conversationalist on our Patreon if you are eager to support our efforts to diversify tech.

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Content Moderation Mania II (with Lipglossssssssss, YouTube and TikTok Content Creator) Apr 26, 2022

This week, The Periphery talks to TikToker Lipglosssssssss about content creation, the impact of inconsistent and unclear enforcement of content moderation policies, and the principles we could use to fix them.

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and send us any ideas or feedback that you'd like to share at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com. And be sure to become a Conversationalist on our Patreon if you are eager to support our efforts to diversify tech.

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Content Moderation Mania (with Daphne Keller, Director of the Program on Platform Regulation at Stanford's Cyber Policy Center) Apr 21, 2022

This week, The Periphery talks to Daphne Keller, law professor and Director of the Program on Platform Regulation at Stanford's Cyber Policy Center. We discuss why content moderation is so hard to get right from a platform perspective and just how little we *really* know about how these platforms work.

Finally, we feel compelled to administer a content warning: this episode is ill-suited for those that still believe in Santa Clause.

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and send us any ideas or feedback that you'd like to share at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com. And be sure to become a Conversationalist on our Patreon if you are eager to support our efforts to diversify tech.

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Smart Contracts: Blockchain for the Global Good (with Jonas Metzger, Open Contracts Founder) Apr 12, 2022

This week, The Periphery talks to Jonas Metzger, a Phd Candidate at Stanford. We discuss how contracts are evolving with blockchain innovations, and how these innovations can be a powerful tool to incentivize cooperation in climate change, crisis aid as illustrated by crypto donations to Ukraine, and other issues where collective action problems persist.

Check out Jonas's work on smart contracts here: https://www.opencontracts.io/

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and send us any ideas or feedback that you'd like to share at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com. And be sure to become a Conversationalist on our Patreon if you are eager to support our efforts to diversify tech.

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Blockchain for Black Art: Barriers and Opportunities (with Magali Duque, SEO Law Alum and Robert Moses' Kin Board Member) Apr 05, 2022

This week, The Periphery talks to Magali Duque, a law student in her final year at University of Pennsylvania. We discuss why breaking into tech can be so difficult, especially for those from marginalized groups or without a technical background (i.e., the periphery...), and what the blockchain, NFTs, and cryptocurrency can do for Black Artists and ownership.

Check out Robert Moses' Kin, a non-profit where Magali serves on the board and is experimenting with using crypto as a new way of funding non-profit initiatives: https://www.robertmoseskin.org/

Learn more about Magali's work: https://about.me/magali.duque

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and send us any ideas or feedback that you'd like to share at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com. And be sure to become a Conversationalist on our Patreon if you are eager to support our efforts to diversify tech.

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Artificial Intelligence, Wall-E, and Human Nature (with Dr. Eric Daimler, former Obama Presidential Innovation Fellow + Carnegie Mellon Professor) Mar 29, 2022

This week, The Periphery talks to Dr. Eric Daimler, who formerly served as a Presidential Innovation Fellow in the Obama Administration and as Professor at Carnegie Mellon University. We talk regulatory trends, policy frustrations, the political and social conditions that drive innovation, and what the rapid proliferation of AI means for the future of work, wealth distribution, society, and culture. We also discuss Pixar's Wall-E.

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and send us any ideas or feedback that you'd like to share at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com. And be sure to become a Conversationalist on our Patreon if you are eager to support our efforts to diversify tech.

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The Periphery Returns Mar 22, 2022

The Periphery is back! Listen Afi, August, Jess, and Karl kick off season two as they discuss goals for coming episodes. And, as always, come back next Tuesday for more.

0:00 - 8:56: The Periphery previews season two. What is to come and what should we be thinking about as episodes related to intellectual property, privacy, data, artificial intelligence, human dignity and fundamental/civil rights release?

8:56 - end: The Periphery discusses the issues they are most excited or concerned about that are sure to arise in season two.

Become a Conversationalist on our Patreon for more content like this: https://www.patreon.com/theperipherypod

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and join us next Tuesday an episode on artificial intelligence. But before then, we would love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to send us a message here or at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com!

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the periphery project: an unfinished journey Dec 07, 2021

In our final episode of Season 1, the Periphery reflects on its journey into the center of technology and innovation. Almost a year ago, we set out to look for new tools for understanding the complexity of the technology problems that we face today. We wanted to find new ways to assess the social and political implications of technology at every level and transcend the narrow confines of technical and industry jargon. Looking back on Season 1, the Periphery asks: what kind of tool have we created? What are the limits of a "society and culture podcast disguised as a tech podcast" anyway? And what lies ahead of the project of the Periphery?

We're on a mission to change the nature of innovation and tech policy by changing how people think about technology and its relationship to their lives. That's why the future of the Periphery is entwined with yours. Look out for Season 2 in early 2022, with a deeper focus on critical issues in tech as we continue to build an "atlas" of technology and society. We can't thank you enough for joining us on this journey. See you soon!

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and send us any ideas or feedback (for Season 1 or Season 2) that you'd like to share. And be sure to become a Conversationalist on our Patreon if you are eager for more *post-season* content. We would love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to send us a message at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com.

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the geopolitics of cybersecurity (with Atlantic Council's Justin Sherman) Nov 30, 2021

On our penultimate episode, we discuss cybersecurity with Atlantic Council's Justin Sherman. Justin is an active and insightful columnist whose work focuses on the intersection of the Internet and geopolitics. He is also an adept conversationalist. Today, we discuss how to become a go-to expert in your early 20s, the current state of cybersecurity and geopolitics, the extent to which cybersecurity concerns may serve as pretext to surveillance expansion, and the reasons why global cohesion in cyber policy is so difficult.

We also talk through PC Mag's tips for individual cybersecurity and test how cyber-secure (or in the case of Afi, cyber-insecure) August, Jess, Karl, and Afi are.

Check out Justin's work here: https://www.justinwsherman.com/

Become a Conversationalist on our Patreon for more content like this: https://www.patreon.com/theperipherypod

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and join us next Tuesday for our final recap episode. But before then, we would love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to send us a message here or at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com!

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on the periphery: metaverse (unlocked from Patreon) Nov 23, 2021

Original release: November 12, 2021

You likely know that Facebook is Meta Platforms by now, reflecting the company's commitment to building the "metaverse." What might this mean? On our inaugural episode of our Patreon series "on the periphery", we discuss the metaverse, simulation theory, and what we might expect as a new generation of the web becomes reality.

Become a Conversationalist on our Patreon for more content like this: https://www.patreon.com/theperipherypod

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and join us next Tuesday for a conversation about cybersecurity and privacy.We would love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to send us a message here or at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com!

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siliconizing spirituality II: artificial intelligence, spirituality, data, and surveillance Nov 11, 2021

Today, we continue our conversation with Shanen Boettcher, a PhD candidate at the University of St. Andrews studying the ethics of artificial intelligence. We came across Shanen and his work when we read a New York Times opinion piece provocatively titled "Can Silicon Valley Find God?" by Linda Kinstler. Here, we discuss spirituality, religion, and how AI is shaping our understanding of our own values. We also talk about surveillance and data.

Check out our Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/theperipherypod) where we will be releasing an "on the periphery" episode on the metaverse Friday afternoon.

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and join us next Tuesday for a conversation about ethics and innovation.

New York Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/07/16/opinion/ai-ethics-religion.html

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siliconizing spirituality I: artificial intelligence and religion Nov 09, 2021

This week, we talk to Shanen Boettcher, a PhD candidate at the University of St. Andrews studying the ethics of artificial intelligence. We came across Shanen and his work when we read a New York Times opinion piece provocatively titled "Can Silicon Valley Find God?" by Linda Kinstler. Here, we discuss spirituality, religion, and how AI is shaping our understanding of our own values.

Tune in on Thursday for part II and subscribe to our Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/theperipherypod) for a bonus episode about the "metaverse" coming Friday!

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and join us next Tuesday for a conversation about ethics and innovation.

New York Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/07/16/opinion/ai-ethics-religion.html

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word on the blockchain (with Visa Head of Crypto Cuy Sheffield) Nov 02, 2021

The time has finally come. This week, The Periphery goes down the cryptocurrency rabbit hole. Luckily, we have a capable guide in Cuy Sheffield, who is the Head of Crypto at Visa. With Cuy, we discuss both the technological and social dimensions of the emerging crypto space. We cover the technological potential of blockchain, as well as the sociology of money and cryptocurrency, especially with reference to core concepts like trust and scarcity. We also delve into the rise of NFTs and how they could empower digital creators and collectors alike. Please tune into our discussion of these topics and many more!

Learn more about Visa Crypto opportunities here by clicking “search careers”: https://usa.visa.com/solutions/crypto.html

E-mail us your thoughts at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com.

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and join us next Tuesday for a conversation about spirituality and artificial intelligence.

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on the periphery: privacy II Oct 26, 2021

This week, we continue the conversation on privacy in the digital age. We discuss global privacy frameworks and the competing values that inform them. Can we find a universal definition of privacy in a world where data is so vital to national security? How do we overcome seemingly insurmountable geopolitical concerns?

E-mail us your thoughts at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com.

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and join us next Tuesday for a conversation about crypto.

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on the periphery: privacy I Oct 19, 2021

The Periphery starts a conversation on privacy. Listen as Afi, August, Karl, and Jess tell the stories that made them care about privacy. We would love to hear yours. E-mail us your stories at theperipherypodcast@gmail.com.

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and join us next Tuesday for part two!

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digital antitrust II: movement building from the periphery (feat. Former FTC Chair Bill Kovacic) Oct 12, 2021

This week, the Periphery talks to Bill Kovacic, former Chair of the FTC, about the woman who currently occupies that role--FTC Chair Lina Khan. How did a relatively obscure law student writing about Amazon rise to lead one of the most important antitrust enforcement agencies in the U.S.? And what does her movement reveal about the power of movement-building in a digital age and the future of the tech industry? We discuss the recent and historic successes of the Neo-Brandeisian Movement and the political obstacles it may face going forward. And, of course, we return to the heart of the matter: why is bigness bad?

Join us for Part 2 of our series on antitrust in the digital age, where we assess the significance of the youngest FTC Chair in the agency's history. It turns out that her personal story of risk and accomplishment says a lot about the value of fair competition for society itself.

Leave us a review, subscribe, and support us on Patreon for extended interviews and bonus content. And listen to Part I from last week to learn more about the historical origins of the current collision between antitrust and Big Tech.

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digital antitrust I: why is bigness bad? (with former FTC Chair Bill Kovacic) Oct 05, 2021

We know Silicon Valley is dominated by tech giants of unprecedented size. We feel like this is a bad thing. This week, the Periphery explores the historical origins of our technological discontent. We call in Bill Kovacic, who shares his experience as a former Chair of the Federal Trade Commission and contextualizes the current debate between those who defend the state of antitrust law today and those who would transform it "root and branch."

Does the rise of FTC Chair Lina Khan and the movement to transform antitrust mark the birth of a new progressive era? What might we have to give up for the sake of democracy and competition? Join us for a fascinating two part conversation about the competing values that are at stake in the struggle to reform antitrust to meet the challenges of the digital age.

Leave us a review, subscribe, and support us on Patreon for extended interviews and bonus content. And join us next Tuesday for Digital Antitrust Part II, where we learn more about the story of Lina Khan and what it reveals about movement building and the value of competition itself.

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head in the clouds (with Cloudera Founder Mike Olson) Sep 28, 2021

Welcome back to The Periphery!

This week, we ask Cloudera founder Mike Olson to explain the cloud. He talks us through the evolution of the internet and cloud computing, government contracts, complex international issues, and (shocker) privacy concerns. Join our Patreon for the extended version of this interview.

Leave us an honest review, subscribe, and join us next Tuesday for a conversation about digital antitrust.

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who is the periphery? Sep 21, 2021

If you have seen our advertisements or socials, it is clear that we are a group of Stanford Law students talking tech. Typical 🙄.

But what is our angle?

In our season one premiere, we discuss the premise of The Periphery. Where did the idea originate? What are our goals? What type of content and platform are we creating? And most importantly, who is on The Periphery?

We hope you return next Tuesday, September 28th for our first conversation with Cloudera founder Mike Olson as we discuss cloud computing, data, and privacy. Until then, subscribe, give us an honest review, and join us on our journey along the edges of Silicon Valley.

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The Periphery Introduces Karl Sep 16, 2021

Karl is a second-year law student at Stanford. He spent the summer at a law firm in Palo Alto. He is also one of the co-hosts of the Periphery.

The Periphery premieres Tuesday, September 21, and new episodes will release every Tuesday thereafter. We hope you join the conversation!

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The Periphery Introduces Jess Sep 14, 2021

Jess is in her second year of law school at Stanford. She worked as a CodeX Intern for the San José Mayor’s Office of Technology and Innovation this past summer. Jess is also a cohost of The Periphery.

The Periphery premieres Tuesday, September 21, and new episodes will release every Tuesday thereafter. We hope you join the conversation!

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The Periphery Introduces Afi Sep 10, 2021

Afi is a second year law student at Stanford. This summer, he was a Wetmore Fellow at Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco. Afi is also one of The Periphery's hosts.

The Periphery premieres Tuesday, September 21, and new episodes will release every Tuesday thereafter. We hope you join the conversation!

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The Periphery Introduces August Sep 08, 2021

August is in his second year of law school at Stanford. He recently completed an internship at Microsoft in its legal department, and he is now working at the Center for AI and Digital Policy. August is also one of The Periphery's hosts.

The Periphery premieres Tuesday, September 21, and new episodes will release every Tuesday thereafter. We hope you join the conversation!

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