Podcast: ITIF’s Rob Atkinson on Innovation and the Privacy Panic Cycle

Rob Atkinson appeared on Through the Noise to discuss the growing struggle between those who advocate for technological advances while others assert that “private” life becomes increasingly less private as innovations become integrated into our lives. This episode aired on October 29, 2015:

Episode Description

With the advent of new technology, there is often a wave of fear which Rob Atkinson calls the “Privacy Panic Cycle.” In the 1960s, some people were afraid of transistor radios, thinking that small radios could be slipped into their drinks so that others could listen to their conversations. While this may seem laughable, technology continues to evolve and there is a growing struggle between those who advocate for all technological advances while others assert that “private” life becomes increasingly less private as innovations become integrated into our lives. Where do we draw the line? Should we even draw a line? Check in today for a discussion of these issues with Rob Atkinson of The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation.

Robert Atkinson is the founder and president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and is also author of Innovation Economics: The Race for Global Advantage (Yale, 2012) and The Past and Future of America’s Economy: Long Waves of Innovation That Power Cycles of Growth (Edward Elgar, 2005). Before coming to ITIF, Dr. Atkinson was Vice President of the Progressive Policy Institute.

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan think tank whose mission is to formulate and promote public policies to advance technological innovation and productivity internationally, in Washington, and in the states.