Naomi Klein’s new book calls out end times fascism. What is this – and what’s the role of big tech?

In recent years, the term "fascism" has become increasingly prevalent in discussions surrounding advanced technologies and political dynamics. Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor's book, End Times Fascism, delves into this complex relationship, arguing that we are witnessing an evolution of fascist ideologies rather than a mere repetition of historical events.

At the core of this modern fascism is a belief in an impending apocalypse that necessitates the destruction of the current world order and the emergence of a new, more glorious society. This apocalyptic mindset is fueled by fundamentalist religious beliefs that view dysfunction and disorder as necessary for a great rebirth.

Two key sections of the book explore the intersection of fascism and technology. The first, Messianic Dreams, traces the history of the Zionist dream and its present-day vision of a genocidal reset in areas like Gaza, where the authors argue that this represents a distinct cosmological goal to bring about the end times.

The second section, Escape to the Cloud, examines the faith in AI superintelligence and how it is being used to advance the power of the already wealthy, furthering the goals of end times fascism. Critics argue that these claims of existential risk, such as the "singularity," are primarily self-serving and designed to direct investment and attention towards the development of technology that benefits the elite.

The authors propose that fighting end times fascism requires challenging the fundamental premise that the world is doomed, and instead embracing our current reality and working towards gradual improvements. They highlight the mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, as an example of someone who embodies a "here and now" mentality, emphasizing the importance of staying and engaging in the messy work of making things better rather than abandoning the world to an authoritarian order.