Tech Won't Save Us The Gilded Rage of Tech Billionaires w/ Jacob Silverman
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Oct 9, 2025 Jacob Silverman, an independent journalist and author of Gilded Rage, delves into the troubling political evolution of tech billionaires. He discusses how post-9/11 surveillance has led to deeper ties between Silicon Valley and the state. Silverman highlights the influence of Saudi Arabian capital in shaping companies like Twitter and explores the radicalization of figures like Elon Musk. He also critiques the rise of entitlement among tech elites and their alignment with Trump, ultimately revealing a troubling mindset among tech leaders.
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Money Shaped A Political Shift
- Jacob Silverman argues tech billionaires shifted politically as their money and influence grew during the 2010s.
- He ties their new political role to entitlement bred by easy capital and cultural backlash.
Return To The Military Fold
- Silverman links today's tech-national security alignment to earlier Cold War-era relationships with the state and military contractors.
- He notes many VCs now proudly seek military and intelligence contracts again.
Cheap Capital Fueled Entitlement
- The zero interest rate era and sovereign wealth inflows created speculative capital that enlarged tech fortunes and risk-taking.
- That funding culture produced a hallucinatory economy and a sense of entitlement among tech elites.
