5 chapters across the catalog
Alec Ross Tech Guru, Hillary Clinton Private Email Server
Alec Ross, formerly the Senior Advisor for Innovation to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, addressed the private email server controversy on NPR. Ross claimed that he and many colleagues were unaware that Clinton was using a personal server for official business. He stated his focus was on international technology policy rather than internal State Department IT infrastructure.
Hillary Clinton, Tech Women and Mentees Initiative
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promotes the "Tech Women" initiative, which pairs female entrepreneurs from Muslim-majority countries with Silicon Valley mentors. The hosts analyze the program as a tool for "21st-century statecraft" and digital diplomacy, aimed at fostering political change in the Middle East. They also mock the use of the word "mentee" as a gender-neutral replacement for "protege."
Silicon Valley State Department Liaisons, Lorraine Harriton
The discussion focuses on the intersection of Silicon Valley executives and the State Department, specifically highlighting Lorraine Harriton's role as a Special Representative. Harriton's background at IBM and Aptera is examined alongside Alec Ross's influence on tech-based diplomacy. The hosts suggest these appointments serve as fronts for government interests in international technology sectors.
Alec Ross, 21st Century Statecraft, Haiti Text Donations
Alec Ross, the Senior Advisor for Innovation to Hillary Clinton, is criticized for his presentation at Stanford regarding "21st Century Statecraft." Ross claims credit for the viral success of the $10 text-to-donate campaign for Haiti relief, which raised over $30 million. The hosts mock his use of buzzwords like "innovation space" and "Twitter sphere," arguing that the campaign was driven by mainstream media rather than organic social media growth.
Mexico Crime Reporting, Anonymous Texting Initiative
Alec Ross describes a new State Department initiative in Mexico designed to allow citizens to report cartel crimes via anonymous text messages. The program aims to bypass the fear of retaliation associated with visiting police stations in high-violence areas like Ciudad Juarez. The hosts express extreme skepticism regarding the technical possibility of true anonymity in such a system and mock Ross's refusal to explain the underlying technology.
