John Borthwick shares his journey from a tech-savvy youth to a prominent figure in the New York tech scene. He discusses his early experiences with computers, the transformative impact of the World Wide Web, and the vibrant tech culture of the 90s. Borthwick reflects on his role in creating Total New York, the lessons learned from the AOL acquisition, and the challenges faced during the dot-com bubble burst. He also highlights the rise of social media platforms like Photolog and the evolution of BetaWorks as a hub for innovation, particularly in the AI space. Throughout the discussion, Borthwick emphasizes the importance of creativity, constraints, and the ever-changing landscape of technology.Chapters:00:00 The Early Days of Tech and Personal Journey02:11 Education and Its Impact on Career05:15 Experiencing the World Wide Web08:09 The New York Tech Scene in the 90s11:08 Creative Projects and the Internet16:01 Total New York: A Local Information Hub21:40 Lessons in Distribution and Audience Engagement24:57 The Evolution of Internet Distribution27:58 AOL: The Internet's First Giant35:54 The Dot-Com Bubble and Its Aftermath37:46 Photolog: A Precursor to Social Media44:56 Navigating Abundance and Constraints in AI49:37 BetaWorks: A Hub for Founders and Innovation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related