Julie Samuels shares her journey from a journalism major to a prominent figure in the tech advocacy space, detailing her experiences at NCSA, her work with EFF, and her role in founding Tech NYC. She discusses the evolution of the internet, the cultural differences between Silicon Valley and New York City, and the importance of community engagement in shaping the future of technology. Julie emphasizes the need for tech companies to be involved in civic issues and how Tech NYC aims to support and represent the tech industry in New York.

00:00 Introduction and Early Internet Experiences

02:11 Career Beginnings at NCSA

05:08 Transitioning to Journalism and Early Online News

08:00 The Shift in Journalism and the Dot Com Bubble

10:53 The Evolving New York Tech Scene

13:54 Joining EFF and First Amendment Advocacy

16:55 Mainstreaming of Internet Issues

19:53 Reflections on the Impact of Technology

21:05 The Optimism of the Tech Boom

24:19 Contrasting Silicon Valley and New York Tech

32:25 The Birth of Tech NYC

42:34 Tech NYC's Role in Today's Landscape

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