Paulina Borsook, an early writer for Wired magazine, has recently seen a resurgence of interest in her 2000 book, Cyberselfish: A Critical Romp Through the Terribly Libertarian Culture of High-Tech. In it, she expressed concern over what she perceived as the infiltration of libertarian ideals in the tech industry, a sentiment that The New York Times recently spotlighted, suggesting a revival of Borsook’s ideas in today’s discourse.
Evidence of this renewed interest is notable, as physical copies of Cyberselfish have become increasingly difficult to find, with used copies appearing rarely on platforms like AbeBooks or Amazon. Borsook herself acknowledged on the Nerd Reich podcast that this scarcity is indicative of the rising curiosity about her work. While the book is accessible for free online, the lack of royalties for authors highlights a contradiction in the digital age, where access comes at the cost of traditional publishing revenue.
Borsook’s critiques of contemporary Big Tech, although valid, do not present groundbreaking insights. She voiced concerns that empathy has transformed into a “distasteful personal failing” and that “surveillance capitalism has become the default shrugged-off business practice.” Borsook also laments the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence, a point that resonates with critics but lacks novelty.
Her overarching critiques, such as the alarming concentration of wealth among tech leaders and the hypocrisy of a sector that thrives on government-funded infrastructures, may not be groundbreaking. Borsook candidly expressed her dismay at discovering that her liberal mindset was not universally shared among the Wired tech community of the 1990s. This disconnect might stem from her limited engagement with the ideological landscape she critiques, particularly libertarianism.
A review of Cyberselfish, penned by another journalist in 2000, highlighted Borsook’s misunderstanding of the core issues that libertarians prioritize—such as drug laws, education, and foreign policy—which went unaddressed in her work. This critique suggests a lack of comprehension regarding libertarian principles, particularly the concept of spontaneous order, which she mischaracterizes as merely an engineers’ fixation.
The narrative that Borsook and her supporters espouse—that libertarianism is responsible for the tech industry’s failings—fails to grasp the broader societal choices shaping these dynamics. The Nerd Reich podcast frames their criticisms within the context of “tech fascism,” a term that better encapsulates some concerns than attributing them solely to libertarian ideology.
Indeed, many of Borsook’s critiques, apart from her claims that libertarian thought inherently devalues empathy, seem disconnected from the libertarian influence she attributes to the tech industry. The enthusiastic support from tech leaders for former President Donald Trump raises important ethical questions, particularly given his adversarial stance toward trade and immigration—two pillars of the tech industry. The implications of surveillance capitalism also warrant scrutiny, particularly regarding the role of user consent in data sharing.
While Big Tech’s influence on culture may be concerning, much of the responsibility lies with societal choices in the usage of technology. Although Borsook’s observations about tech culture were somewhat prescient, they were not uniquely insightful; rather, they reflected existing anti-libertarian sentiments prevalent at the time. Her potential revival seems to underline a persistent misunderstanding of libertarian principles and their application in today’s technological landscape.
Borsook did make one noteworthy connection during her podcast appearance, linking libertarian thought with the behavior of modern tech moguls. She suggested that their alignment with Trump might stem from a Milton Friedman perspective prioritizing shareholder value, rather than genuine ideological support. Despite claims in the Times piece of her groundbreaking contributions, Borsook’s work, at the time, was largely a summation of common critiques of libertarianism within tech culture.
As the discourse around technology continues to evolve, the continued relevance of Borsook’s concerns illustrates a significant intersection between societal values and technological advancements. However, understanding the ideological roots and implications of these dynamics is crucial for a comprehensive examination of Big Tech’s role in shaping contemporary culture.
See also
Embracing ‘Gongsheng’: Transforming AI Ethics to Include Aging and Disabled Users
US Tech Giants Invest $200B in Europe’s AI Boom, Redefining Global Innovation Landscape
Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson Warns AI’s Economic Impact Could Strain Financial Stability
Idaho Launches ‘Hour of AI’ to Equip Students for Future Tech Careers Amid Rapid AI Growth
