Ditch democracy. This movement wants tech-elites to govern

Published in 1914, 'Drift and Mastery' is a seminal work by Walter Lippmann that diagnoses the societal unrest of his time. Lippmann argues that traditional institutions and ideas are no longer relevant in the face of rapid social and economic change. He advocates for a scientific and rational approach to governance, which he terms 'mastery,' to counter the forces of 'drift. ' The book explores tensions between expansion and consolidation, traditionalism and progressivism, and emotion and rationality, suggesting that democracy can be enhanced through diligent attention to facts and active decision-making. It remains a valuable text for understanding early twentieth-century American political thought and continues to be relevant for contemporary discussions on governance and social change.

Published in 1992, 'Snow Crash' is a science fiction novel by Neal Stephenson that delves into a future where the United States has fragmented into corporate city-states and the internet has evolved into a virtual reality called the Metaverse. The story follows Hiro Protagonist, a pizza delivery driver and part-time hacker, and Y.T. , a teenage skateboard courier, as they navigate a complex world threatened by a mysterious computer virus and a powerful drug known as Snow Crash. The novel explores themes of history, linguistics, anthropology, and computer science, and is noted for its prescient vision of the metaverse and its influence on Silicon Valley innovators.