Podcast / Tech Won’t Save Us / May 8, 2025

The Roots of Elon Musk’s War on Empathy

On this episode of Tech Won’t Save Us, Julia Carrie Wong on Elon Musk, the Christian right, and longtermism.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

The Roots of Elon Musk’s War On Empathy w/ Julia Carrie Wong | Tech Won’t Save Us
byThe Nation Magazine

On this episode of Tech Won't Save Us, Paris Marx is joined by Julia Carrie Wong to discuss Elon Musk’s recent opposition to empathy, how it comes out of the Christian right, and the relationship it has to previous discussions of longtermism. 

Julia Carrie Wong is a features writer at The Guardian.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com
* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/THENATION

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A bust of Elon Musk that was recently vandalized is seen near the SpaceX projects in Brownsville, Texas, on May 3, 2025. (Photo by Gabriel Cardenas / AFP)

(Gabriel Cardenas / AFP via Getty Images)

On this episode of Tech Won’t Save Us, we are joined by Julia Carrie Wong to discuss Elon Musk’s recent opposition to empathy, how it comes out of the Christian right, and the relationship it has to previous discussions of longtermism. 

Julia Carrie Wong is a features writer at The Guardian.

Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Why We Need a War on Cars w/ Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear | Tech Won’t Save Us
byThe Nation Magazine

Paris Marx is joined by Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear to discuss the many ways cars have negatively affected society, how tech companies seek to entrench those problems, and what can really be done to improve mobility in our communities.

Doug Gordon is a TV producer and writer. Sarah Goodyear is a journalist and author. They are the co-hosts of The War on Cars and co-authors of Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com
* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/THENATION

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Paris Marx

Paris Marx is a tech critic and host of the Tech Won’t Save Us podcast. He writes the Disconnect newsletter and is the author of Road to Nowhere: What Silicon Valley Gets Wrong about the Future of Transportation.

More from The Nation

The American Right’s Civil War Over Israel

The American Right’s Civil War Over Israel The American Right’s Civil War Over Israel

On this episode of The Time of Monsters: David Austin Walsh on the deep roots of the Zionism debate among Republicans.

Jeet Heer

Seeds of Resistance, With Vivien Sansour

Seeds of Resistance, With Vivien Sansour Seeds of Resistance, With Vivien Sansour

On A People's Climate: “If you want to support Palestine, get free.”

Shilpi Chhotray

Jeff Teat #7 of the New York Atlas in action during the Premier Lacrosse League Championship game between the New York Atlas and the Denver Outlaws at Sports Illustrated Stadium on September 14, 2025, in Harrison, New Jersey.

How Lacrosse and Boxing Explain the USA How Lacrosse and Boxing Explain the USA

On the latest episode of Edge of Sports.

Dave Zirin

Traffic moves along the Brooklyn Queens Expressway on October 26, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York City.

Why We Need a War on Cars Why We Need a War on Cars

On this episode of Tech Won't Save Us: Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear discuss how to create more equitable forms of mobility.

Paris Marx

Dem Voters Triumph— Plus, That Springsteen Movie

Dem Voters Triumph— Plus, That Springsteen Movie Dem Voters Triumph— Plus, That Springsteen Movie

On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols analyzes Tuesday’s elections, and Greil Marcus explains what’s missing in Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.

Jon Wiener

Donald Trump, left, greets John Roberts, chief justice of the US Supreme Court, arrives for a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

Why the Supreme Court Will Never Stand Up to Trump Why the Supreme Court Will Never Stand Up to Trump

Podcast / The Nation Podcast / May 8, 2025 The Roots of Elon Musk’s War on Empathy On The Nation Podcast: Elie Mystal on the Roberts court’s capitulation. D.D. Guttenplan an…

Podcast / The Nation Podcast

x