John C. Dvorak (April 5, 1952- July 20, 2026) was a prolific writer, broadcaster and technology commentator. While technology leapt forward at lightning fast speeds since the early 1980s, Dvorak kept a pulse on it all. He led an unconventional life, and though Dvorak didn’t subscribe to any one religion, he was an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church. Keep reading to learn more of John Dvorak's interesting story and how being a minister fit in with his views and personality.
Technology on the Brain
John Dvorak never studied technology or computer science in a formal institution. He had a degree in History with a minor in Chemistry, but Dvorak’s interest came from a personal connection to the topic. His uncle was the sociologist/creator of the Dvorak keyboard, an alternative to the commonly used Qwerty setup.
Writing on Tech and News
Dvorak started his career as a wine writer, but quickly pivoted to tech and tech-related news. His writing appeared in more than 20 publications around the world, the most well-known include: MarketWatch, Forbes, PC Mag, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times.
By paying attention to the fast-paced world of tech, Dvorak developed an ability to summarize and communicate complicated topics in a way that everyday people could understand. He had good senses of humor, and humility, when his initial opinions on new technology didn’t hold up over time. For example: Dvorak initially criticized the use of the computer mouse, stating that it would hamper the experience of using Mac computers. He also wrote about how the iPhone was going to be a failure, and criticized the "supposedly dangerous” use of 5G Networks.
Despite some of these controversial opinions, Dvorak maintained high standards as a journalist and received awards for his work. Those awards include:
- Telluride Tech Festival Award of Technology, 2001
- Best Online Column, 2003, 2004
- Best Podcast Award, 2016
Podcasts and New Media
Dvorak embraced new inventions in the space of media, including podcasting and writing blogs. His official blog, Dvorak Uncensored, features articles focused on a wide variety of trending topics, memes, news pieces, and technology. However, it is No Agenda, the podcast which he co-hosted with Adam Curry, that kept Dvorak relevant with a younger generation of avid tech heads. No Agenda looks at how different media will use specific language to spin stories in a way that will appeal to their viewers. The podcast is very popular which allowed Dvorak and Curry to explore controversial topics with their audience.
Though Dvorak never made public statements regarding his ordination with the Universal Life Church, it certainly aligns with the unconventional life that this pioneering tech journalist lived.