THIS IS REVOLUTION ＞podcast EP. 725: THE DEATH OF COOL: SILICON VALLEY AND CULTURAL CAPITAL ft. JASON READ
Apr 7, 2025
In this discussion, guest Jason Read, a professor and author, dives into the cultural implications of Silicon Valley's rise. He analyzes the shift from traditional notions of 'cool' to contemporary expressions influenced by social media and tech. The conversation tackles the paradox of elite cultural capital and its impact on societal values, as well as the absurdity of modern masculinity and gun culture. Read also critiques the commercialization of iconic films, exploring how they shape childhood perspectives and everyday life.
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Cultural Capital's Double-Edged Sword
- Bourgeois cultural capital justifies elite status while promising class mobility through knowledge.
- It explains class divisions but suggests they can be overcome by acquiring specific cultural knowledge.
Silicon Valley's Failed Cool
- Silicon Valley elites try to replace traditional cultural capital with pop culture, but often fail.
- Elon Musk's misinterpretation of Blade Runner demonstrates this, as he misidentified the car.
Scarcity and Cool
- Coolness was partly based on the scarcity of knowledge and information, especially in music.
- The internet, created by Silicon Valley, destroyed this scarcity by making information readily available.
