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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Cory Doctorow - Pluralistic

Cory Doctorow’s Craphound

Books by Cory Doctorow

Cory Doctorow - Electronic Frontier Foundation

Boing Boing

Cory Doctorow - X