The Real Technofascists of Silicon Valley: Why Big Tech Oligarchs Hate Democracy
When I first started seeing coverage of what seemed like a deranged plan from the Trump administration to take over Greenland, I felt like I was losing my mind. Not because I didn’t understand the plot, but because none of.
The article highlights how Silicon Valley billionaires, particularly those linked to Peter Thiel and Elon Musk, have openly discussed plans to create independent territories outside democratic governance. For example, the PayPal mafia—a group of Silicon Valley founders and investors—publicly explored buying Greenland to establish a deregulated, techno-utopian city. This idea aligns with the Network State movement, which proposes replacing democracy with self-governing economic zones ruled by tech elites. Despite the strategic importance of Greenland’s resources, the media largely ignored these discussions until recently. The article notes that Dryden Brown, founder of the Thiel-backed company Praxis, celebrated when Ken Howery, a PayPal co-founder, was appointed U.S. ambassador to Denmark, calling it 'According to plan.' Praxis had previously attempted to purchase Greenland and aimed to use it as a testing ground for future expansion.
Gil Durán’s book The Nerd Reich and his newsletter explore the ideology driving Silicon Valley billionaires, which rejects democracy in favor of feudalistic special economic zones controlled by tech CEOs. This ideology stems from a 1997 book called The Sovereign Individual, which predicted the collapse of democracy due to advances in cyber currency (later known as cryptocurrency) and advanced automation (AI). The book argued that savvy investors could profit from this collapse by preparing in advance. The article explains that this ideology has evolved into a form of fascism, with billionaires believing that democracy is inefficient and that they can create better systems by opting out of traditional governance. The movement also draws on public choice theory, which claims that individuals act only in self-interest and that the concept of the public good is a myth used to manipulate people.
The article traces the anti-democratic beliefs of Silicon Valley billionaires to their rejection of collective governance and taxes, despite benefiting from democratic systems and government subsidies. For instance, Antony Fisher, founder of the Atlas Network, opposed government programs in agriculture but accepted a $15 million government check when his cattle fell ill, which funded his early think tank ventures. Similarly, the article notes that many billionaires, including Elon Musk, have relied on government support while publicly criticizing democracy. The ideology of anarcho-capitalism—which opposes government intervention—has merged with fascism in this context, as billionaires seek to replace democratic institutions with their own rule. The article emphasizes that these billionaires often justify their actions by claiming they are acting in the best interest of society, despite evidence to the contrary.
The article describes how Silicon Valley billionaires have built a parallel media ecosystem to bypass traditional journalism and shape public opinion. This includes funding alternative media channels, controlling social media platforms, and creating their own propaganda outlets. The goal is to replace independent journalism with narratives that serve their interests. For example, the article mentions billionaires attempting to acquire major news networks like CBS and CNN or launching their own media ventures. This strategy allows them to control the flow of information and influence public perception, often by dismissing critical reporting as unimportant or irrelevant. The article argues that this is not an accidental consequence of digital media but a deliberate effort to undermine traditional journalism and democratic discourse.
The Network State movement proposes that tech billionaires should create new territories governed by their own rules, often on land or in the ocean. The article explains that seasteading—the idea of building floating cities in international waters—was initially funded by Peter Thiel in the late 2000s through the Seasteading Institute. However, this idea failed due to practical challenges. The movement then shifted to creating land-based cities, with Greenland emerging as a key target due to its resources and strategic location. The article notes that Jared Kushner, former advisor to Donald Trump, has proposed building a billionaire-funded city in Gaza, reflecting the same ideology. These projects are framed as attempts to escape democratic governance and create new frontiers for the wealthy.
The article highlights the role of J.D. Vance, a U.S. senator and former venture capitalist, in advancing the anti-democratic agenda of Silicon Valley billionaires. Vance is described as a dangerous ideologue who has called for purging the government and defying the courts if they oppose the president. The article notes that Vance’s political career has been heavily funded by Peter Thiel, who invested $15 million in his 2022 Senate campaign. Despite Vance’s extremist views, the article suggests that many people underestimate his threat, believing that electability will prevent his rise to power. However, it argues that Vance represents a more extreme and organized threat to democracy than even Donald Trump, as he is willing to dismantle democratic institutions to consolidate power.
