The Nation Podcasts Digital Sovereignty in a Time of Rising Fascism | Tech Won't Save Us
Apr 17, 2025
In a thought-provoking talk, Paris Marx examines the troubling alliance between Silicon Valley and extreme right politics, highlighting figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. He emphasizes the need to reassess our reliance on American tech amid rising geopolitical tensions, particularly with China. The discussion advocates for digital sovereignty and regulatory frameworks to counter corporate dominance. Marx calls for grassroots initiatives and state intervention to create a sustainable and equitable digital future.
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Silicon Valley–Trump Alliance Reframes The Internet
- The alliance between Silicon Valley and Trump forces a reassessment of the internet's politics and origins.
- Paris Marx argues US tech now openly embraces American imperial power rather than distant libertarianism.
Privatization Was Geopolitical, Not Just Technical
- The internet's commercialization was explicitly tied to projecting American power globally.
- Paris Marx traces privatization (1995) as a turning point enabling US firms' global dominance.
Financialized Tech Shaped Today's Giants
- Tech development has been financialized, prioritizing rapid scale and IPO-driven value over public purpose.
- That financial model produced today's billionaire executives and shaped company behavior.
