released 1/24/2025

Paulina Borsook discusses the “bizarrely narcissistic” and ultra-libertarian culture of Silicon Valley. The high-tech industry both attracts libertarians and encourages libertarian values, nurturing a culture that is anti-government, lacking in philanthropy, and disdainful of the value of any career or vocation that does not lead to an ever-increasing bottom line. Borsook explains that there is an aversion among the “digerati” to think about the “invisible net” of people, roles, and support structures that makes society run. An inherent self-centeredness prevails that treats every interaction as transactional and that propounds a tech-solution to every problem. Borsook is the author of Cyberselfish: A Critical Romp through the Terribly Libertarian Culture of High Tech. This interview was originally published on Volume 45 (2000) of the Journal.

22 minutes

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