Equity · Friday, August 7, 2026
Jill Lepore suggests that the embrace of technology for governance by Silicon Valley leaders stems from a poor understanding of science fiction narratives. She contrasts the early, optimistic vision of the internet as a post-state space with the current trajectory where tech leaders appear to take on state functions with a 'cartoon version' of 1984 optimism.
“And so, we get into all of that. You are going to hear a little bit from her dogs in the background, which we've done our best to edit out, but I think we had a great conversation, so stick around.”
“And so, you know, these are just, they're silly examples, but you see the ways in which these corporations, these tech companies from Silicon Valley, and especially their charismatic and not so charismatic leaders are just taking on the trappings of the nation state, right? And the functions of democracy.”
“And these companies have so much power.”