Episode Details

In this California Sun podcast I’m joined by Zoë Bernard, whose recent story in Vanity Fair looks at El Segundo, California's emerging tech scene, where young entrepreneurs are rejecting Silicon Valley's software focus in favor of defense tech. These predominantly male founders, desciples of Elon, emphasize bro culture, patriotism, religion, and traditional values while developing drones, nuclear reactors, and military weaponry. With more than $100 billion invested in defense tech since 2021, they see themselves as "saving America." The war in Ukraine has helped legitimize their efforts, while concerns about China drive their mission.