Abandon all hope ye who subscribe here. Varn Vlog is the pod of C. Derick Varn. We combine the conversation on philosophy, political economy, art, history, culture, anthropology, and geopolitics from a left-wing and culturally informed perspective. We approach the world from a historical lens with an eye for hard truths and structural analysis.
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episode 197: No Royal Road: The End of Techno-Feudalism? part 5
While the introduction music is that of Varn Vlog on this podcaster, this series will be simultaneously released on both the Varn Vlog podcast feed and the Regrettable Century podcast feed. This is a long-running series we are doing on understanding social technologies, relationships of production, and how we get here: i.e. what is the social and class history of the past.
In this episode, we finish our discussion of Evgeny Morozov's "Critique of Techno-Feudal Reason." .Ever wondered how the state's role in the economy has shaped the modern business landscape and the rise of Silicon Valley? In this stimulating conversation, we embark on a journey through the complex web of capitalism, examining Marx's theories and the realm of techno-feudalism. From the intricate relationships between the tech industry and the security state, to the fascinating exploration of the state's role in protecting businesses from the necessity of monopsony power, this episode is ripe with insight and analysis.
As we navigate through the murky waters of the tech industry's evolution, we shed light on the risks taken in funding projects by the federal government and the private sector. We also delve into the changing dynamics post-Cold War and the rise of neoliberalism, connecting the dots to the ascension of the American tech industry. Focal points of discussion include the Defense Innovation Board, Palatier, Eric Schmidt's relationship with DARPA, and Mark Zuckerberg's stand on Facebook's break-up.
The episode concludes with a thoughtful debate on the final crisis of capitalism. Was Marx's prediction of the bourgeois revolution leading to the immediate end of capitalism accurate? Did he ever complete his theories and if not, what was lost? We dive into Morozov's perspective on the crisis and explore the concept of techno-feudalism for the future. This engaging discourse is sure to redefine your understanding of the capitalist system and its evolution. Buckle up for an enlightening exploration that promises to challenge your perspectives.
Crew:
Host: C. Derick Varn
Audio Producer: Paul Channel Strip ( @aufhebenkultur )
Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.
Intro Video Design: Jason Myles
Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn
Links and Social Media:
twitter: @skepoet
You can find the additional streams on Youtube