A Framework for Approaching Worrying Technology

The Pragmatic AI Podcast is sponsored by Tighten. T-I-G-H-T-E-N. We will take your AI ideas, prototypes or even vibe-coded apps, and we'll take them to production. Scalable and secure. Check us out at tighten.com.

Matt Stauffer talks with Reuben Johnson — aka YoBigRube — founder of Fly Duo, a storytelling studio specializing in high-trust narratives for complex and sensitive messaging. Reuben brings a perspective shaped by decades as a self-taught developer and outsider to the tech establishment.

They explore what it looks like to engage with AI when you have real criticisms of the industry — from choosing the least evil tool to running local LLMs, using AI as a writing accountability partner, and refusing to let a machine call itself human.

The conversation covers AI bias, abstracted accountability, the vulnerability of kids to AI characters, and why the answer to symbolic activism isn't more symbols — it's showing up in community, staying curious, and never deciding you've done enough.
• Matt Stauffer on Twitter (twitter.com/stauffermatt)
• Tighten Website (tighten.com)
• FlyDuo | High-Trust Storytelling (xoflyduo.com)
Reuben Johnson on LinkedIn (calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.…)
• Sam Cole Deep Fake Podcast (open.spotify.com/episode/1myXEFUfMZgDfPuST9uzR…)
• The Tech We Want (thetechwewant.com)
• 404 Media (404media.co)
• Small Technology Foundation (small-tech.org)
• PBS (pbs.org)
• Sex Tech N Chill (sextechnchill.com)
• Community Tweet (x.com/kylezantos/status/2012758323544625166?s=20)
-----

Editing and transcription sponsored by Tighten (tighten.com).