The Dov Baron Show Part 1 of 2: Escaping the Apocalypse: Billionaire Fantasies, AI Feudalism & the Future of Humanity | Douglas Rushkoff (Part 1)
Mar 16, 2025
Douglas Rushkoff, a prominent media theorist and digital ethicist, dives deep into the alarming trends of billionaires planning their escape from a world they've impacted. He discusses the unsettling reality of digital feudalism, where corporate-controlled platforms manipulate society. Rushkoff critiques the transformation of the internet from a utopian dream into a tool for isolation and control. He also underscores the need for authentic human connections amid these challenges, questioning who truly benefits in this new landscape.
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Childhood Influences
- Douglas Rushkoff's childhood experiences in Queens, with communal barbecues, shaped his view of community.
- Moving to the suburbs led to feelings of isolation and increased reliance on technology, like TV.
Internet's Lost Potential
- Rushkoff initially saw the internet as a potential tool for rebuilding community and connection.
- However, he later realized that its potential for social good was overshadowed by commercial interests.
Internet's Commercialization
- Wired Magazine's framing of the internet as a business phenomenon shifted its trajectory away from social good.
- The focus on attention economy and behavioral modification turned the internet into a "Skinner box."
