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In the Scuttlebutt podcast, host Brock Briggs interviews Troy Peterson, a veteran PSYOPs officer turned tech professional, about the role of information in both wartime and civilian life. They discuss Troy's experience in Afghanistan, where he helped disseminate information via radios to encourage local participation in government activities, countering Taliban misinformation tactics. The conversation also touches on the modern landscape of social media, news, and the rising influence of individuals over populations.
Troy reflects on his transition to the tech industry, noting that getting his first job at Facebook was pivotal for his career progression. He emphasizes the importance of aligning one's job with personal interests, optimizing for learning rather than just salary, and maintaining financial intelligence to avoid being cornered into undesirable choices. Troy currently works at open AI, focusing on product policy and trust, where he applies his knowledge of information control and its potential to impact society.
Listeners can learn how to approach career transitions, the impact of information on both military and civilian life, and the value of aligning careers with personal goals and interests for a fulfilling life. Brock also questions how veterans can protect against making pressured job choices and how to maintain a career trajectory aligned with their objectives. The interview concludes with a discussion of the AI
In this episode, Brock talks with Troy Peterson. Troy was a PYSOPS officer in the Army and is now working on product policy and trust and safety at OpenAI. In this conversation, we talk about the value of information and how the control of access to information can be used as a weapon. Troy shares a story of providing radios to locals in Afghanistan in an attempt to build trust and encourage participation in elections and government activity. We talk about how we see access to information play out in our world today, particularly in social media, the news and the rise of individual influence over large populations. And we also talk about how to optimize for learning and growth not always money. After some time spent aligning his personal interests with careers, Troy landed a job at Facebook, which has helped him propel through several tech jobs and kept him from being forced to make decisions he didn't want to. He gives a few lessons on how to approach your finances and career that keep you from being backed into a corner.
Show resources:
Show Notes:
Welcome to the Scuttlebutt podcast. 0:00
Challenges in the training pipeline and the level of preparedness the military expects when you arrive. 1:55
Value of asking questions early. 5:10
Why haven’t you started your own company yet? 9:47
Early interest in tech while in the Army. 11:48
Breaking down barriers and build rapport with the local population while deployed. 16:42
The power of information and communication in Afghanistan. 22:05
Taliban Attacks in Afghanistan. 26:24
Was our war in Afghanistan representative of why the power of communication is important? 30:53
Having information is power. 37:56
Comparing information value in public to private sectors. 44:53
How to apply to tech jobs with your resume. 49:58
What’s the first thing you need to do when you get on the platform? 56:27
You’re only stealing from your future self if you aren’t taking the time to be intentional and try to learn. 58:52
What are some tangible things that you are doing now that protects life's downside? 1:04:05
Be open minded to change. 1:08:54
Journaling can be a good first step to holding yourself accountable to reaching your goals. 1:11:31
How do you balance the trade offs of technology and how do you make sure it’s not used for bad purposes? 1:16:16
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The Scuttlebutt Podcast - The podcast for service members and veterans building a life outside the military.
The Scuttlebutt Podcast features discussions on lifestyle, careers, business, and resources for service members. Show host, Brock Briggs, talks with a special guest from the community committed to helping military members build a successful life, inside and outside the service.
Follow along:
• Episode & transcript: https://www.scuttlebuttpodcast.co/
• Brock: https://www.brockbriggs.com/
TPM
Troy is currently a TPM at OpenAI and worked previously at Stripe and Facebook. Prior to moving to the private sector, Troy spent 9 years in the infantry & special operations communities in the US Army.
