Sunday reading:
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It was always mistake to equate technological futurism with social progressivism, as the fundamental worldview in the tech elite circles has always had inherently anti-democratic tendencies, leading so many of them to conclude that democracy is incompatible with their “vision”
The fundamental worldview in these circles was a type of libertarianism driven by a desire for freedom, understood as the ability to remain unburdened from any kind of politically or ethically motivated restrictions, unhampered from any demands modern society may place upon them.
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The fundamental worldview in these circles was a type of libertarianism driven by a desire for freedom, understood as the ability to remain unburdened from any kind of politically or ethically motivated restrictions, unhampered from any demands modern society may place upon them.
The pervasive skepticism towards democracy and any kind of “burden” proved to be fertile ground for a more aggressive reactionary ideology. This explains how someone like self-anointed “reactionary monarchist” Curtis Yarvin became the intellectual darling of the tech barons.
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The pervasive skepticism towards democracy and any kind of “burden” proved to be fertile ground for a more aggressive reactionary ideology. This explains how someone like self-anointed “reactionary monarchist” Curtis Yarvin became the intellectual darling of the tech barons.
It is not particularly difficult to see why a predominantly male, predominantly white tech elite drunken on power and utterly convinced of its own superiority would feel attracted to an ideological program centered around cultural chauvinism, racism, misogyny, and eugenicism.
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It is not particularly difficult to see why a predominantly male, predominantly white tech elite drunken on power and utterly convinced of its own superiority would feel attracted to an ideological program centered around cultural chauvinism, racism, misogyny, and eugenicism.
What do we call this staunchly anti-democratic ideology? The concept of “reactionary modernism” captures the fact that we are dealing with tech euphoria not in service of a progressive socio-political vision but aligned with a project that seeks to entrench hierarchies.
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What do we call this staunchly anti-democratic ideology? The concept of “reactionary modernism” captures the fact that we are dealing with tech euphoria not in service of a progressive socio-political vision but aligned with a project that seeks to entrench hierarchies.
Is it tech fascism? As a political reality and regime, fascism never existed as a monolith, but as an often incoherent ideological amalgam and an alliance of far-right forces. It is certainly plausible to conceptualize the pro-MAGA tech billionaires as a faction in that alliance.
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Is it tech fascism? As a political reality and regime, fascism never existed as a monolith, but as an often incoherent ideological amalgam and an alliance of far-right forces. It is certainly plausible to conceptualize the pro-MAGA tech billionaires as a faction in that alliance.
The tech billionaires did not depart from a previously stable liberal-democratic conviction. This is not a complete aberration. It is better understood as the result of an activation and exacerbation of long-standing anti-democratic tendencies and reactionary sensibilities.
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The tech billionaires did not depart from a previously stable liberal-democratic conviction. This is not a complete aberration. It is better understood as the result of an activation and exacerbation of long-standing anti-democratic tendencies and reactionary sensibilities.
But why now? The story Marc Andreessen is telling about his own rightward turn is incredibly revealing. Andreessen insists there used to be (capital-D) “Deal”: He gifts the world beautiful tech – and in return, he not only gets money, but has a right to be revered and admired.
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But why now? The story Marc Andreessen is telling about his own rightward turn is incredibly revealing. Andreessen insists there used to be (capital-D) “Deal”: He gifts the world beautiful tech – and in return, he not only gets money, but has a right to be revered and admired.
However, Andreessen claims that leftwing radicals took over the Democratic Party, leading to the Biden administration waging a “terror campaign” against the tech elite – while “woke” radicals also infiltrated his companies and tried to destroy them from within.
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However, Andreessen claims that leftwing radicals took over the Democratic Party, leading to the Biden administration waging a “terror campaign” against the tech elite – while “woke” radicals also infiltrated his companies and tried to destroy them from within.
Underlying Andreessen’s fantastical tale is a story of real historical change. Compared to the 1990s, Andreessen’s nostalgic golden era when center-left parties and politicians were happily praying at the altar of big tech, the general mood is certainly a little less accommodating today.
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Underlying Andreessen’s fantastical tale is a story of real historical change. Compared to the 1990s, Andreessen’s nostalgic golden era when center-left parties and politicians were happily praying at the altar of big tech, the general mood is certainly a little less accommodating today.
For Andreessen, a little less unquestioning worship equals persecution. It’s hard to read this and not think of the German industrialists of the 1930s justifying their decision to make common cause with Hitler. In their minds, they had no other choice – or so they wanted to claim.
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For Andreessen, a little less unquestioning worship equals persecution. It’s hard to read this and not think of the German industrialists of the 1930s justifying their decision to make common cause with Hitler. In their minds, they had no other choice – or so they wanted to claim.
Perhaps the question we should be focusing on is not what the newest generation of AI can and cannot do…
The key question is: How much power can we allow the billionaires behind these technologies to accumulate as they are aggressively siding against modern democracy?
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Why the Tech Billionaires Are Aligned with Trump
Fueled by profit motives, ideological radicalization, and elite self-victimization, America’s tech barons are aggressively taking the side of authoritarianism. Why now?
Steady (steady.page)
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Sunday reading:
Fueled by profit motives, ideological radicalization, and elite self-victimization, America’s tech barons are aggressively taking the side of authoritarianism.
I wrote about why the tech billionaires are aligning with Trump – and why now:
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Why the Tech Billionaires Are Aligned with Trump
Fueled by profit motives, ideological radicalization, and elite self-victimization, America’s tech barons are aggressively taking the side of authoritarianism. Why now?
Steady (steady.page)
I think I would characterize that differently. Everything they do is because of their ruthless authoritarianism, their dark triad personalities.
There will to dominate. They have developed an ideology cult amongst themselves to legitimize their domination.
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Perhaps the question we should be focusing on is not what the newest generation of AI can and cannot do…
The key question is: How much power can we allow the billionaires behind these technologies to accumulate as they are aggressively siding against modern democracy?
Please consider subscribing:
Why the Tech Billionaires Are Aligned with Trump
Fueled by profit motives, ideological radicalization, and elite self-victimization, America’s tech barons are aggressively taking the side of authoritarianism. Why now?
Steady (steady.page)
They have too much power and have had too much power for a few decades.
Their intended goal is to smash the nation into a little bit and then they’ll build their network state on the rubble.
They are waging war on the nation, and they are waging war on us. The coup already happened, and they are consolidating their grip by waging war on us.
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But why now? The story Marc Andreessen is telling about his own rightward turn is incredibly revealing. Andreessen insists there used to be (capital-D) “Deal”: He gifts the world beautiful tech – and in return, he not only gets money, but has a right to be revered and admired.
The common denominator of these fascists is megalomania, narcissism and a lack of any moral fiber in their character.
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This is not *just* a story of capitalists attempting to maximize profit by sucking up to the authoritarian regime. Let us not assume a false binary between profit motives and ideology. Yes, these guys want to sell stuff. But it’s also a tale of political and ideological radicalization.
The guys from Silicon Valley / billionaires collectively donated $2 billion to ensure that the Republican Party dominated all three branches of government in 2024.
Many of them were motivated by the fear that the federal government was exercising oversight over them and criminally investigating them. Elon Musk being the most prominent example.
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For Andreessen, a little less unquestioning worship equals persecution. It’s hard to read this and not think of the German industrialists of the 1930s justifying their decision to make common cause with Hitler. In their minds, they had no other choice – or so they wanted to claim.
So true. I just finished watching "A French Village," and you see this.
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However, Andreessen claims that leftwing radicals took over the Democratic Party, leading to the Biden administration waging a “terror campaign” against the tech elite – while “woke” radicals also infiltrated his companies and tried to destroy them from within.
@tzimmer_history The present Democrats are more closely aligned with Reagan Republicans of the 80's, and Biden was their poster child. Does anyone actually buy the BS this guy is saying? Does he buy it? If so, he's going to be really shocked when the butlerian Jihad begins.
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