In Bed With The Right Episode 41: George Gilder and the Birth of Right-Wing Silicon Valley
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Nov 12, 2024 In this engaging discussion, Becca Lewis, a Stanford researcher specializing in right-wing influences in Silicon Valley, delves into the intriguing evolution of George Gilder from an anti-feminist critic to a tech evangelist. She highlights the complex ideological landscape of Silicon Valley leaders, contrasting their progressive public personas with reactionary beliefs. The conversation explores Gilder's entrepreneurial vision during the Reagan era, the emergence of conservative voices in tech, and how this legacy shapes today's culture, especially concerning gender politics.
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Silicon Valley's Gender Politics
- Moira Donigan notes a trend of unusual views on gender among Silicon Valley's elite.
- Examples include Elon Musk's reported offers of insemination and the Telegram founder's numerous children.
Media Narrative of Silicon Valley
- Becca Lewis suggests the media's surprise at Silicon Valley's reactionary politics stems from a selective understanding of its history.
- This history emphasizes libertarianism and assumes technology is inherently progressive, overlooking other influences.
Gilder's Anti-Feminist Stance
- George Gilder, initially a moderate Republican, became a prominent anti-feminist.
- His book Sexual Suicide argued that feminism and the welfare state threatened procreation and traditional gender roles.
