The Armageddon Economy
Tech leaders have escape plans. What about everybody else?
In the episode of Galaxy Brain, host Charlie Warzel engages with authors Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor about the concept of "end times fascism" and its connection to the current state of tech leaders and AI. The book End Times Fascism, co-written by Klein and Taylor, explores this phenomenon as a response to global crises such as wars, climate change, and the rise of AI.
Klein and Taylor argue that end times fascism is a form of far-right reactionary politics that manipulates democracy and forms vertical alliances between corporate and political elites. They note that it is an attempt to protect the interests of the "injured powerful" and consolidate power in a moment of instability.
One key aspect of end times fascism is its response to novel planetary-scale crises. Klein points out that while previous fascists did not face threats like atomic weapons or climate change, today's fascists must contend with these global challenges. Astra Taylor adds that the concentration of wealth and the threat of AI further fuel this phenomenon.
The authors suggest that end times fascism is not simply opportunistic but rather a continuation of an elite-led movement that seeks to perpetuate its power and control. They emphasize the importance of understanding the underlying crises and the ways in which they have shaped the current political and technological landscape.
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