Book Warns Silicon Valley Lost Its Way

Paulina Borsook's 2000 book, 'Cyberselfish,' has been reissued by Tin House, gaining attention for its prescient critique of Silicon Valley's techno-libertarianism. Borsook's work is described as a "travelogue" of her attempts to understand this ideology.

She characterized techno-libertarianism as a "basket of beliefs" that is "violently anti-regulation," despite the tech sector's significant benefit from government support. Borsook observed this attitude persisting even after the dot-com crash.

Initially overlooked, 'Cyberselfish' has seen a resurgence due to rising used copy prices and social media mentions. This renewed interest led to the new edition, featuring an introduction by Gil Durán, who champions Borsook's insights.

Borsook believes the techno-libertarian mindset, marked by an "inability to connect the dots and lack of history," continues to influence companies like Uber and Airbnb, which she views as "strictly financial plays" resistant to regulation.

She sees the current AI boom as a potential "big Ponzi scheme," driven by a pursuit of profit over intrinsic value. Borsook expresses concern for young people entering the tech industry, unsure how they can foster change from within.

Borsook remains cynical about large companies reforming from within, suggesting they are "amoral enough" to shift allegiances based on interest. She hopes for a resurgence of "appropriate technology" and independent ventures.

The new edition includes a brief introduction from Borsook reflecting on the book's unexpected revival, but the original text remains unchanged, preserving it as an artifact of its time.