#101: John McAfee
from The NextMarket Podcast on February 10, 2015
Episode summary from Pots:
There may not be a more fascinating person in the world of tech than John McAfee. As the inventor of first antivirus software, McAfee's had a fascinating career that's been periodically interspersed in recent years with international intrigue (he left Belize after what he describes as a 'war with the Belize government') and has had multiple threats on his life in the last few years. He talks about these incidents, but also about his beginnings in programming dating back to the late 60s (punchards! no monitors!), his time in Silicon Valley in the 70s and 80s, and those early days when his antivirus software went viral. We also talk about the future and what McAfee sees as mankind's biggest threat in AI.
Episode highlights:
- 4:51 – Interview begins. McAfee gives an overview of his recent Bolivia drama and describes the complicated logistics required to maintain his safety.
- 12:03 – McAfee's backstory, going back to the 1960s. Programming on punchards and his varied software experience leading up to the 1980s.
- 20:10 – How McAfee's anti-virus software was first launched. Describes what it was like to go viral in the age of BBS.
- 25:34 – General chat from here onward -- pretty good, but a bit more pedestrian. McAfee talks about what he's been up to since the 80s (many, many projects).
- 37:53 – McAfee's thoughts on AI and the excitement, but also threat, it poses to humankind.
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