Very thought provoking. We see the distrustful (scornful, even) pattern you point out over and over. Lately, it's conspiracy theories about RAM shortages. AI oligarchs are hoarding RAM to resell at astronomical prices, or to keep people from having adequate computers so they have to rely on subscriptions to cloud delivery services.
On and on it goes.
Huge bonus points for closing with "Everybody Wants To Rule The World,' a top 5 song from the 80s.
No one questions the importance or contribution of scientists and inventors (and the people who invest in them) to the advancement of technology in this country. It’s how they use that power, that leverage, that matters and how accountable they are for the decisions they make that impacts their users. Are they using their wealth and platforms to influence elections, lobbying, and policy, sometimes acting as "broligarchs" that shape government actions and benefit themselves? Or is their wealth being used primarily to solve, (or attempt to solve), long-term, existential, or technological challenges that would benefit all of society?
This is a great piece on a timely and strategic theme: it would make a great seed article to kick off a formal debate with a group like The Classical Society. Your article contains at least 3 - 5 outstanding propositions that would generate a terrifically interesting public debate and hopefully kick of an extended public conversation in person and on social media.
There are other fascinating and all-too-relevant issues lurking under the surface of the issues you've raised in your typically gentlemanly and nuanced manner.
For example, regarding the puzzling gap in the nexus of power and legitimacy, how did the pre-Elon Twitter Board end up being composed of a majority of Directors from totalitarian regimes, each of whom demonstrated zero respect for the US Bill of Rights? Elon is a foreign-born person who is passionately committed to the US Bill of Rights, so this issue is not necessarily that the Directors were foreign-born. But how did this key governance process go so badly wrong and who can we hold accountable for the curiously incompatible Board? Without understanding something like this it will be impossible for Americans to concede legitimacy to Silicon Valley elites.
Who are the true masters of the elites of Silicon Valley? Is it possible that these ultra-wealthy builders are allowed to enjoy the extravagant fruits of their financial success, for example competing with each other to buy 250 - 400 foot long super yachts, etc., only as long as they do what they're told? The role of the Jeff Bezos-owned Washington Post during the Elon Twitter takeover is worth thinking about in this regard. The photo you used for your article, of the glum tech billionaires obediently standing in the VIP section of Trump's Inauguration is simultaneously hilarious and deeply revealing.
I am honestly not trying to promote myself, especially in your Substack and without your advance permission, but during the takeover and before Elon succeeded I did an analysis of the Twitter Board of Directors in a brief 23 minute podcast which directly relates to these deeper issues about power and legitimacy. It starts at about minute 14:15 and lasts for only 2 or 3 minutes, in case you're interested. It's a natural extension of your excellent and very timely article: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1SU7CbxOARF3QpHAonCmIW
Jeff, this is an outstanding article which I will re-read and take notes on. I’ll continue to reflect on your ideas. Thank you for directing me to it. Truly first class
How do you think someone like Elon Musk got to be the richest person in the world? He sucked off the teat of the Federal Government (tax dollars). Tax incentives and subsidies from the gov't made Elon a very wealthy man. He basically owns NASA! Our government gave it to him piece by piece and now NOTHING gets shot into the sky without the approval of Musk and his taxpayer financed launchpads.
The broligarchs want blockchain (Bitcoin) to run the financial sector instead of StableCoin backed by the US dollar and they are doing everything they can to "short" the current system so that they get their way. They built their "systems" with tax payer dollars, incentives and subsidies and now they want to own the banks and the "market". They are making a dangerous move with other people's money and that needs to stop!
Good piece. As someone more left of center than you are, I do struggle with “what to do” about tech. Andreesen, Musk, Theil, et al hold fascistic beliefs I find dangerous, but…when it comes to the power and dynamism of tech, they, uh, have a point? These guys are evil, yet on some points, they are right about the necessity of America leading in this respect, simply for our basic long-term survival.
I fear that the inevitable backlash will rid tech of the moral rot, yes, but lead to a frightening, dangerous overcorrection.
Very thought provoking. We see the distrustful (scornful, even) pattern you point out over and over. Lately, it's conspiracy theories about RAM shortages. AI oligarchs are hoarding RAM to resell at astronomical prices, or to keep people from having adequate computers so they have to rely on subscriptions to cloud delivery services.
On and on it goes.
Huge bonus points for closing with "Everybody Wants To Rule The World,' a top 5 song from the 80s.
Thanks Matt. Glad you noticed the song. 🎧🎶
No one questions the importance or contribution of scientists and inventors (and the people who invest in them) to the advancement of technology in this country. It’s how they use that power, that leverage, that matters and how accountable they are for the decisions they make that impacts their users. Are they using their wealth and platforms to influence elections, lobbying, and policy, sometimes acting as "broligarchs" that shape government actions and benefit themselves? Or is their wealth being used primarily to solve, (or attempt to solve), long-term, existential, or technological challenges that would benefit all of society?
This is a great piece on a timely and strategic theme: it would make a great seed article to kick off a formal debate with a group like The Classical Society. Your article contains at least 3 - 5 outstanding propositions that would generate a terrifically interesting public debate and hopefully kick of an extended public conversation in person and on social media.
There are other fascinating and all-too-relevant issues lurking under the surface of the issues you've raised in your typically gentlemanly and nuanced manner.
For example, regarding the puzzling gap in the nexus of power and legitimacy, how did the pre-Elon Twitter Board end up being composed of a majority of Directors from totalitarian regimes, each of whom demonstrated zero respect for the US Bill of Rights? Elon is a foreign-born person who is passionately committed to the US Bill of Rights, so this issue is not necessarily that the Directors were foreign-born. But how did this key governance process go so badly wrong and who can we hold accountable for the curiously incompatible Board? Without understanding something like this it will be impossible for Americans to concede legitimacy to Silicon Valley elites.
Who are the true masters of the elites of Silicon Valley? Is it possible that these ultra-wealthy builders are allowed to enjoy the extravagant fruits of their financial success, for example competing with each other to buy 250 - 400 foot long super yachts, etc., only as long as they do what they're told? The role of the Jeff Bezos-owned Washington Post during the Elon Twitter takeover is worth thinking about in this regard. The photo you used for your article, of the glum tech billionaires obediently standing in the VIP section of Trump's Inauguration is simultaneously hilarious and deeply revealing.
I am honestly not trying to promote myself, especially in your Substack and without your advance permission, but during the takeover and before Elon succeeded I did an analysis of the Twitter Board of Directors in a brief 23 minute podcast which directly relates to these deeper issues about power and legitimacy. It starts at about minute 14:15 and lasts for only 2 or 3 minutes, in case you're interested. It's a natural extension of your excellent and very timely article: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1SU7CbxOARF3QpHAonCmIW
Thanks Chris. These are all interesting thoughts. I just listened to the podcast segment you reference, and it’s on point.
Five years ago I published a book review essay called, “The Terrain of Discourse,” which you may find interesting. https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2021/05/the-terrain-of-discourse/
Jeff, this is an outstanding article which I will re-read and take notes on. I’ll continue to reflect on your ideas. Thank you for directing me to it. Truly first class
Thanks Chris. Note that it was published the year before Musk bought X...
With that exception, plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose . . .
Thanks Jeff! I'll check it out
How do you think someone like Elon Musk got to be the richest person in the world? He sucked off the teat of the Federal Government (tax dollars). Tax incentives and subsidies from the gov't made Elon a very wealthy man. He basically owns NASA! Our government gave it to him piece by piece and now NOTHING gets shot into the sky without the approval of Musk and his taxpayer financed launchpads.
The broligarchs want blockchain (Bitcoin) to run the financial sector instead of StableCoin backed by the US dollar and they are doing everything they can to "short" the current system so that they get their way. They built their "systems" with tax payer dollars, incentives and subsidies and now they want to own the banks and the "market". They are making a dangerous move with other people's money and that needs to stop!
Good piece. As someone more left of center than you are, I do struggle with “what to do” about tech. Andreesen, Musk, Theil, et al hold fascistic beliefs I find dangerous, but…when it comes to the power and dynamism of tech, they, uh, have a point? These guys are evil, yet on some points, they are right about the necessity of America leading in this respect, simply for our basic long-term survival.
I fear that the inevitable backlash will rid tech of the moral rot, yes, but lead to a frightening, dangerous overcorrection.
I honestly have no idea what the answer is.