--- title: "AI and Technological Change: the Postman Always Delivers" podcast: "Modem Futura" episode: "Episode 22" hosts: "Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard" date: 2025-03-11 audio: https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/018f87c3-4d42-4bc0-9d66-53873b51ec68/episodes/f216fbb0-d835-4413-a332-f872476f82f0/audio/dcafc35b-7569-4223-a58e-6d929cd12377/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=3frRI0HN mirror: https://text.futureofbeinghuman.com/modemfutura/22-ai-and-technological-change-the-postman-always-delivers.html --- # AI and Technological Change: the Postman Always Delivers Modem Futura · Episode 22 · March 11, 2025 · 68 min · Hosts: Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard Listen: [MP3 audio](https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/018f87c3-4d42-4bc0-9d66-53873b51ec68/episodes/f216fbb0-d835-4413-a332-f872476f82f0/audio/dcafc35b-7569-4223-a58e-6d929cd12377/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=3frRI0HN) · [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-and-technological-change-the-postman-always-delivers/id1771688480?i=1000698705279&uo=4) · [Spotify (show)](https://open.spotify.com/show/3eFl4hY4t1qTCWE2Bxotrg) · [YouTube (video)](https://www.youtube.com/@ModemFutura) --- In this insightful episode, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard frame ways of thinking and processing the increased speed of technological change, examining the complexities of AI (and other emergent technologies) and its profound implications for society. Drawing historical parallels and reflecting on cultural narratives, the hosts discuss technology's dual nature—both beneficial and harmful—referencing Neil Postman’s critical perspectives as presented in his 1998 talk "Five Things We Need to Know About Technological Change". They explore the 'Faustian bargain' of technological trade-offs, the winners and losers, embedded biases, ecological impact, and mythic status of technologic innovations and change. Through their exploration, Sean and Andrew underscore the necessity of critical thinking and foundational skills, advocating for responsible and inclusive approaches to technological development. Links: - Neil Postman's [Five Things We Need to Know About Technological Change (1998) [PDF]](https://web.cs.ucdavis.edu/~rogaway/classes/188/materials/postman.pdf) - [About Neil Postman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Postman) - [Future of Being Human initiative (ASU)](https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu) - [Modem Futura – YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@ModemFutura) -----Modem Futura is a production of the Future of Being Human initiative at Arizona State University. Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. To learn more about the Future of Being Human initiative and all of our other projects visit - [https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu](https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu/)Subscribe to our [YouTube Channel: @ModemFutura](https://www.youtube.com/@ModemFutura)Follow us on Instagram: [@ModemFutura](https://www.instagram.com/modemfutura/)**Host Bios:****Sean M. Leahy, PhD** - [ASU Bio](https://search.asu.edu/profile/3183014)\ Sean is an internationally recognized technologist, futurist, and educator innovating humanistic approaches to emerging technology through a Futures Studies approach. He is the Executive Director for the [Future of Being Human Initiative](https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu/) and Research Scientist for the [School for the Future of Innovation in Society](https://sfis.asu.edu/) and Senior Global Futures Scholar with the [Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory](https://globalfutures.asu.edu/) at [Arizona State University](http://www.asu.edu/).**Andrew Maynard, PhD** - [ASU Bio](https://search.asu.edu/profile/2670673)\ Andrew is a scientist, author, thought leader, and Professor of Advanced Technology Transitions in the ASU [School for the Future of Innovation in Society](https://sfis.asu.edu/). He is the founder of the ASU [Future of Being Human initiative](https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu/), Director of the ASU [Risk Innovation Nexus](https://riskinnovation.org/), and was previously Associate Dean in the ASU [College of Global Futures](https://collegeofglobalfutures.asu.edu/).----- --- *These are the show notes for this episode of Modem Futura (), a podcast hosted by Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard and part of the ASU Future of Being Human initiative (). This file is a text mirror of the episode’s show notes — not a transcript. Listen to the full episode via the links above, or watch it on YouTube ().*