Everyday Anarchism 148. Debt Discussion 12, In the Middle of Something New with Yanis Varoufakis
Mar 19, 2025
Yanis Varoufakis, author of 'Technofeudalism' and former Greek finance minister, joins the conversation with insights on the evolution of our economic systems. He explores how the 2008 crisis paved the way for techno-feudalism, where tech elites reap disproportionate rewards. The discussion critically examines how political leaders might inadvertently bolster extremist ideologies and the transition from traditional capitalism to modern monopolies. Varoufakis also highlights the implications of our changing relationship with technology, coining 'technofitalism' to describe this new reality.
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Bannon's Cancelled Debate
- Steve Bannon contacted Yanis Varoufakis's movement, DiEM25, for a debate in early 2019.
- Bannon pulled out a week before the scheduled debate after initially agreeing.
Fascist Strategy
- Fascists use a deceptive strategy to gain working-class support, critiquing capitalism while promoting harmful solutions.
- They exploit economic discontent to gain power, promising to address workers' concerns in exchange for absolute authority.
Technofeudalism vs. Capitalism
- Unlike traditional capitalists who produce goods, tech giants like Bezos don't produce anything; they control platforms.
- These platforms, like Amazon, function as behavioral modification tools, influencing purchasing decisions through algorithms and personalized recommendations.
