Mumford's Argument Is That Technology Bribes People

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Mumford argues that technology, the technological system here, it bribes people. And his argument is that the kind of technological system, the companies who are engaged in it, they get people to agree to go along with it by offering them a share in the benefits of the new technology. They get to enjoy all kinds of exciting consumer gadgetry and so forth. That allows them to feel like they are the ones who are benefiting, like theyre getting something out so sure, there's still, of course, the control and the alienation and all those things but people feel like they're getting something out of it too.

Paris Marx is joined by Zachary Loeb to discuss the history of tech criticism with a focus on Joseph Weizenbaum and Lewis Mumford, as well as why the techlash is a narrative that suits Silicon Valley.

Zachary Loeb is a PhD candidate at the University of Pennsylvania whose dissertation research looks at Y2K. Follow Zachary on Twitter as @libshipwreck, and check out his Librarian Shipwreck blog.

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Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Follow the podcast (@techwontsaveus) and host Paris Marx (@parismarx) on Twitter, and support the show on Patreon.

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