Authoritarians or A-holes? Kara Swisher on Tech's Biggest Egos
Feb 11, 2024
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Tech reporter Kara Swisher talks about the self-importance of Silicon Valley, whether its leaders are more or less fascist than we think, and how big tech ate the media industry. They also discuss Apple's Vision Pro headset, Taylor Swift, and Travis Kelce saving American monoculture.
Silicon Valley's top tech figures blur the lines between authoritarianism and optimism, embracing conspiracy theories and anti-establishment populism.
Mark Zuckerberg's actions and decisions on Facebook demonstrate a lack of awareness and responsibility, making him a troubling figure.
The techno-optimists in the tech industry prioritize personal gain, lack empathy for the general population, and raise concerns about propaganda and their growing power in shaping public opinion.
Deep dives
Deep Dish with Sola and Ham: A Podcast about Food Stories
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The Rise of Techno-Authoritarianism and Techno-Optimism in Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley's top tech figures, including Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, have become increasingly involved in reactionary movements that blur the lines between authoritarianism and optimism. They embrace conspiracy theories and anti-establishment populism, creating a dangerous alliance between Trump's base and the wealthiest individuals who control social networks and AI technologies. This phenomenon amplifies the power and influence of these tech giants, reminiscent of Rupert Murdoch's media empire on steroids.
Mark Zuckerberg: The Carelessly Dangerous Founder of Facebook
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, is considered the most carelessly dangerous person in the history of tech. Facebook's immense reach and influence make it a powerful force in shaping global news and social interaction. However, Zuckerberg's actions and decisions, such as allowing conspiracy theories and hate speech on the platform, demonstrate a lack of awareness and responsibility. While he may have good personal qualities, his impact on society and the manipulation of information make him a troubling figure.
The Rise of the Techno-Optimists
A new political movement called the techno-optimists, consisting mostly of wealthy middle-aged white men in the tech industry, is gaining power and influence. Through social media, podcasts, journalism projects, and political donations, they are building their political muscle. However, there are differing opinions on their motives and ideology, with some calling them techno-authoritarians. While they have made significant contributions to changing the political landscape of cities like San Francisco, there are concerns about their influence and the consequences of their actions.
The Capitalism of Tech
The techno-optimists display a capitalist mindset focused on personal gain and success. They often prioritize their own convenience and interests over societal welfare. While they may support certain causes or communities, they lack empathy for the general population and fail to take responsibility for the negative impacts of their innovations. This group often promotes the idea that they are always right and anyone who disagrees with them is against them. They use various platforms, such as social media, podcasts, and traditional media outlets, to create a fanbase and bypass traditional media. However, their actions raise concerns about their use of propaganda, misinformation, and their growing power in shaping public opinion.
Kara Swisher, longtime tech reporter and author of the forthcoming memoir Burn Book, joins Offline to talk about the tech tycoons who think they’re qualified to run our country. She and Jon break down Silicon Valley’s ever growing self importance, whether its leaders are more or less fascist than we think, and how big tech ate the media industry alive. But first! Max and Jon explain why Apple’s Vision Pro headset is the company’s most impressive—and depressing—gadget to date, and how Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are saving American monoculture.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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