About this episode

The episode discusses the concept of Muskism and its implications in contemporary society with historians and tech writers.

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

Topics covered

• Muskism
• 21st century
• financial fabulism
• state symbiosis
• fortress futurism
• right-wing politics
• social media

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