The Mythos of Technology and Capitalism w/ Jathan Sadowski

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May 28, 2025

Join Jathan Sadowski, a senior lecturer at Monash University and author of *The Mechanic and the Luddite*, as he unpacks the intricate connections between mythology, technology, and capitalism. He challenges the myth of technological inevitability and critiques the romanticized narratives of tech heroes. The conversation dives into the legacy of the Luddites, framing them as modern folk heroes while exploring the material consequences of our tech-driven society. Sadowski urges listeners to reconsider how corporate narratives shape our understanding of progress.

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INSIGHT

Technology as Modern Mythology

Technology hype acts as modern mythology, telling grand stories to attract belief and investment.
It's designed to make you buy into inventions before they actually exist.

INSIGHT

Capitalism's Myth of Inevitability

Capitalism uses myths of inevitability to make itself seem inescapable and irresistible.
Technological progress is framed as a divine gift, reinforcing belief in capitalist innovation.

INSIGHT

Silicon Valley as Priesthood

Silicon Valley's leaders function as a priesthood controlling rituals of technological success.
This priesthood controls access and defines the culture's rituals and narratives.

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Foundation

Isaac Asimov

Foundation is the first book in Isaac Asimov's renowned Foundation series. It introduces Hari Seldon, a psychohistorian who predicts the imminent collapse of the Galactic Empire and the ensuing dark age. To mitigate this, Seldon establishes the Foundation, a group of scientists and scholars on the planet Terminus, aimed at preserving human knowledge and laying the groundwork for a new civilization. The book is a collection of interrelated short stories that follow the early history of the Foundation as it navigates various crises and challenges predicted by Seldon's psychohistory[1][3][4].

Mechanic and the Luddite

Jathan Sadowski

Blood in the Machine

The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech

Brian Merchant

In 'Blood in the Machine', Brian Merchant intertwines a lucid examination of our current technological age with the historical story of the Luddites. The book explores how automation changed the world during the Industrial Revolution and how it continues to shape our future. Merchant draws parallels between the Luddites' class struggle against factory owners who used automated machines to replace workers and the modern conflicts between workers and tech giants. The book is based on extensive archival research and secondary historical sources, offering a gripping and detailed account of the Luddite movement and its relevance to contemporary issues of labor, technology, and human exploitation.

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