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challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
It's like this book was designed in a lab to appeal to my interests. As someone who is familiar with all the characters in this true story (from Yudkowsky, Kurzweil, and Bostrom to Thiel, Bezos and Musk), I think this is a very accurate and well researched exploration of the barking madness this whole field of techno optimism (and alarmism) has been under the spell of for decades (with roots stretching back to eugenics, fascism, and "good ole" colonialism).
Having grown up learning about these techno prophets since the 90's, this was a trip down memory lane which I couldn't get enough of — crucially, presented in a critical light. There's no born again eschatological defense of their colossal egos and tenuously logical and barely scientific doctrines based upon the sci-fi of their youth.
The book ties it all together and brings it all back to the current AI hype, rocket obsessions and effective altruism of the modern day oligarchs and techno authoritarians. This book is timely and ahead of the curve, leading up to the present day Trump administration which has alarmingly close ties to this set of characters and interests (JD Vance, Thiel, Musk, Andreeson etc).
Highly recommended.
Having grown up learning about these techno prophets since the 90's, this was a trip down memory lane which I couldn't get enough of — crucially, presented in a critical light. There's no born again eschatological defense of their colossal egos and tenuously logical and barely scientific doctrines based upon the sci-fi of their youth.
The book ties it all together and brings it all back to the current AI hype, rocket obsessions and effective altruism of the modern day oligarchs and techno authoritarians. This book is timely and ahead of the curve, leading up to the present day Trump administration which has alarmingly close ties to this set of characters and interests (JD Vance, Thiel, Musk, Andreeson etc).
Highly recommended.
dark
informative
reflective
fast-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
Don’t look at the horrifying labor conditions at the local Amazon fulfillment center. Look at the shiny rocket instead. Ignore the problems of this world. Everything will be better in space.
really, really good deconstruction and takedown of Silicon Valley tech bros and billionaires and their obsession with a specific vision of The Future™️ they see themselves as arbiters of - an unrealistic future of questionable foundations, the pursual of which can be used to excuse and justify anything.
an engaging, compulsively readable and incredibly well-sourced critique.
informative
fast-paced
It's nice how the author makes it a point to explain scientifically why these billionaires believe and do what they do, trying to show the reader that the 1% leading the world (and ruining people's lives while doing so) are not completely nuts and that their behavior comes from somewhere almost sound, even if it's absolutely wrong and damaging.
I, however, do think tech billionaires are fucking crazy and their overflowing ego, delusions of grandeur, lack of human empathy, and unhealthy obsession with being ultrarich and relevant forever just might kill us all if they don't stop or die soon.
Fuck AI, and fuck the people that keep pushing it in everyone's face while obliterating the only livable planet we have.
I, however, do think tech billionaires are fucking crazy and their overflowing ego, delusions of grandeur, lack of human empathy, and unhealthy obsession with being ultrarich and relevant forever just might kill us all if they don't stop or die soon.
Fuck AI, and fuck the people that keep pushing it in everyone's face while obliterating the only livable planet we have.
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
challenging
informative
medium-paced
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
fast-paced