Episode Details

On the operating system of the 21st century.

Historian Quinn Slobodian and tech writer Ben Tarnoff talk to Alex Hochuli and Alex Gourevitch about their new book, Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed, and why we should ask "what is Musk a symptom of?"

• If Fordism characterised the mid-20th century, are our times those of Muskism?

• What are the touchstones of Muskism that the authors identify: fortress futurism, financial fabulism, state symbiosis?

• Who is the real Musk, that of vehicles, energy, infrastructure, or that of the post-industrial stuff of social media, finance, AI?

• What does Muskism promise people? How does it legitimise itself – if at all?

• Is the state actually dependent on Musk, or is Musk dependent on the state?

• How much of Musk's right-wing turn is necessary to Muskism, and how much is contingent? Is the racial component central?

Links:

• Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed, Quinn Slobodian & Ben Tarnoff, Harper Collins

• /57/ Übermenschen of Capital Pt. 1 ft. Alex Gourevitch