Katherine Boyle: How Tech Can Rebuild America
Show Notes
Why does seriousness feel radical today? a16z General Partner Katherine Boyle joins The LaBossiere Podcast to explore what it means to build for the national interest—and why that starts with purpose.
Katherine, part of the American Dynamism team at a16z, shares how we got to a place where public service became uncool, how tech can help rebuild trust in government, and why suffering, friction, and responsibility are essential ingredients for growth. From the collapse of civic duty to the rise of meme-driven politics, they dig into the cultural forces shaping America—and the opportunity to reclaim a sense of mission.
They also discuss why Silicon Valley is more idea than place, what journalists and investors have in common, and why being laughed at might be the clearest sign you’re on the right path.
Timecodes:
- Intro
The Decline in Public Service
Making Government Cool Again
Silicon Valley’s Aversion to National Security
Positive Sum vs Zero Sum Cultures
China, Authoritarianism, and Doing Hard Things
What Makes America Special?
Silicon Valley and the “Real Economy”
Investing in Mature Markets
Vanna White and The Wheel of Fortune
Journalism and Loneliness
- Time and Suffering
- Seriousness and Purpose
- Is Culture Downstream of Technology?
- Propaganda and Coolness as a Strategic Asset
- Florida, Texas, and Regulatory Arbitrage
- DC, Silicon Valley, and Florida
- What Should More People Be Thinking About
Resources:
Find Katherine on X: https://x.com/KTmBoyle
Find Alex on X: https://x.com/adlabossiere
Listen to more from The LaBossiere Podcast:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QDLQFt
Apple: https://apple.co/478Be6M
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sfiFiE
Stay Updated:
Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z
Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z
Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z
Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/
Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg
Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
Stay Updated:
Find a16z on X
Find a16z on LinkedIn
Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify
Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts
Follow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg
Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.