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Trump Math & Techno-Fascism
Mar 1, 2025
Kyle Chayka, a staff writer for The New Yorker and author of "Filter World," delves into intriguing issues surrounding technology and its impact on society. He discusses Trump's outrageous $5 million 'gold card' proposal for citizenship, exploring its implications for immigration and economic policies. Chayka also draws parallels between modern technocrats and the fascists of 1930s Japan, raising concerns about power dynamics in governance. Additionally, the episode highlights the absurdity of consumer fears around black plastic utensils stemming from a simple math error.
53:27
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Quick takeaways
- Trump's proposal for selling citizenship gold cards highlights troubling economic assumptions that may further erode public trust in governance.
- The emergence of tech-driven governance raises critical questions about the balance between technological advancement and the preservation of democratic values.
Deep dives
The Impact of Economic Messaging
Recent statements from the Trump administration regarding the state of the economy, particularly from Treasury Secretary Scott Besson, claim that the entire private sector is in a recession. However, this assertion lacks credibility and is challenged by the actual economic indicators. Moreover, President Trump's proposal to sell gold cards for $5 million each is presented in a mathematically intriguing manner, suggesting significant revenue generation without grounding it in reality. The podcast highlights the disparity between such grand announcements and the actual capacity of the government and economy, stressing how such messaging can foster public distrust.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode