Jacobin Radio Behind the News: Silicon Valley’s Rightward Tilt w/ Jacob Silverman
Nov 3, 2025
Jacob Silverman, a journalist and author of Gilded Rage, delves into the rightward shift of Silicon Valley elites, citing COVID-era grievances and the culture wars as catalysts. He critiques their anti-democratic instincts and ties to Trump, exposing a troubling blend of self-interest and disdain for outside expertise. Meanwhile, historian Forrest Hylton takes listeners on a political tour of South America, discussing U.S. influence on elections, regime change efforts in Venezuela, and the complexities of narco-politics. Together, they unravel the intricate connections between technology, politics, and global dynamics.
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COVID Era Cultural Backlash
- Social and cultural blows during COVID pushed many Silicon Valley figures rightward, including personal slights and perceived cultural threats.
- Jacob Silverman links reactions to campus politics, parenting experiences, and perceived institutional hostility as radicalizing factors.
Free Money Fueled Speculation
- The era of near-zero interest rates pumped vast capital into VC, inflating valuations and speculative bets like crypto and NFTs.
- That windfall made tech elites wealthier and emboldened risk-taking that later soured when conditions changed.
Exit Over Democracy
- Many tech elites lack attachment to democratic norms and favor exit or authoritarian solutions like charter cities.
- Silverman notes a tilt toward anti-democratic ideas influenced by thinkers like Curtis Yarvin and longstanding libertarian impulses.
