To celebrate Jewish Christmas, the family at Drezner’s World watched Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein, which showcased Jacob Elordi’s strong performance as the creature. The review noted a modern interpretation of Victor Frankenstein, portrayed unsympathetically by Oscar Isaac, likening him to today’s tech entrepreneurs obsessed with creating generative AI. This analogy points to Frankenstein’s ambition to conquer death, paralleling the biohacking desires of Silicon Valley moguls.
The article also introduces an academic contribution in a symposium titled “Oligarchic sovereignty: Technology and the future of global order,” exploring how technology oligarchs wield power over infrastructure and political systems in contemporary society. It features essays detailing how figures like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos use their wealth and tech capabilities to assume quasi-sovereign roles, reorganizing global authority beyond state control.
The author’s piece, “The winner’s intellectual curse,” argues that Silicon Valley oligarchs seek sovereignty not only over space but also over time, prioritizing their long-term visions above short-term societal concerns. This mindset fosters a detachment from immediate consequences, as they believe their wealth shields them from existential threats. The article highlights how these technologists challenge traditional international relations through their novel approach to power.
For a deeper dive, readers are encouraged to access the full symposium online, which includes contributions from various scholars.
