The Tech Elite’s “Frictionless” Fantasy (And Why It Will Fail)

About this episode

Douglas Rushkoff discusses the pitfalls of a frictionless digital existence and the importance of human connection.

The digital world promises a frictionless existence of infinite growth, convenience, and total scale. But what happens when that virtual map starts consuming the real territory? Rushkoff reflects on his recent appointment to the Club of Rome and their legendary 1972 warning: The Limits to Growth. From the massive water and energy drained by AI data centers to Jeff Bezos' intentional dismantling of the Washington Post, Rushkoff breaks down how the tech elite are using the digital simulation to extract the last remaining value from the physical world. The oligarchs want a frictionless reality where they own the platform and avoid the messy negotiations of actual human connection. But reall life, and real democracy, requires friction. It requires the awkward, inefficient, and vital collisions of human beings sharing a local space. It is time to stop confusing the map with the territory. Find the others. Embrace the friction. Team Human is proudly sponsored by Everyone's Earth. Learn more about Everyone's Earth: https://everyonesearth.com/ Change Diapers: https://changediapers.com/ Cobi Dryer Sheets: https://cobidryersheets.com/ Use the code “rush10” to receive 10% off of Cobi Dryer…

People in this episode

Host: Douglas Rushkoff

Topics covered

• technology
• society
• culture
• democracy

Keywords

• frictionless
• AI
• Club of Rome
• Limits to Growth
• human connection

Sponsors

Everyone's Earth, Change Diapers, Cobi Dryer Sheets

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Cobi Dryer, Cobi Dryer Sheets

Books & works: The Limits to Growth

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