Patti Harrison Grew Up With Tech As Her North Star. Not Anymore.
Sep 22, 2026 · 34m
Summary
Patty Harrison discusses the tension between her identity as a trans comedian and the pressure to make political art, arguing that even apolitical humor is a reaction to a politicized reality. She critiques social media as a "panopticon" that drives addiction and harassment, noting how algorithms strip context from her jokes and expose her to abuse. Harrison also addresses her disillusionment with tech, contrasting her childhood sci-fi optimism with the current use of AI and robotics in warfare. Finally, she reflects on the loss of nuance in online discourse and the importance of live perfo…
Topics discussed
Sponsored segment: McKinsey on AI transformation
Introduction of guest Patty Harrison and Wired Women issue
Navigating politics, identity, and comedy in public life
The impact of social media on humor and news consumption
Sponsored segment: McKinsey on AI transformation
Personal history with social media and the ethics of platforms
Sponsored segment: McKinsey on AI transformation
Disillusionment with tech industry and capitalism
AI, creativity, and the value of live performance
Algorithms, context loss, and online harassment
Free speech, platform moderation, and class consciousness
Closing remarks and credits
Sponsored segment: Dun & Bradstreet AI context
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