Excellent essay on the radicalization of tech tycoons. This idea that a person is proven exceptional and smart if they make a lot of money is very real. It plays out in the words and actions of this collective that is broadcast loudly for all lesser mortals to hear. These "dudes" as the author characterizes them, make mind-bogglingly poor choices and "judgement calls" that end up having cataclysmic effects on those whose lives and livelihoods they control.
The rising power of movements meant to counter their influence has catalyzed a vicious, and frankly very weird, backlash where they want to put everyone else in their place. And, due to the insularity of their lifestyles, they very seldom have any corrective voices pointing out when they've clearly lost the plot. If it weren't for the deep harm they were doing to so many with these radical ideas, I'd have a lot of pity and empathy for the fact that they're clearly acting out due to social isolation and the existential emptiness that must come from pursuing wealth and power to such an extreme degree that there's no room left in life for someone to call them on their bullshit.
Even if some were to call them on their bullshit (there is plenty of blistering critique of the collective stupidity of this cohort), it would not make an iota of difference. The group is self-selective and does not consider the ideas and opinions of the out-group worth any time or consideration. Those in the group are exactly like them - collectively they act like a herd of apes that only copy each other into a death spiral of dark, bad, selfish, short-sighted and not bright.
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