Historian Jill Lepore: Silicon Valley’s Misreading of Science Fiction Threatens Democracy

Harvard historian and New Yorker staff writer Jill Lepore warns that Silicon Valley’s growing influence over government functions marks a dangerous shift toward “rule by algorithms, corporations, machines,” a trend she explores in her upcoming book “The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State.” In a recent interview on Bitcoin World’s Equity podcast, Lepore argued that tech companies are increasingly replacing democratic institutions without public consent, a development she describes as “a return to tyranny and mystification.”

What is the ‘Artificial State’?

Lepore defines the artificial state as a form of governance that replaces the liberal democratic nation-state, driven by private corporations and algorithmic systems. She traces its intellectual origins to 19th-century notions of technological progress, which conflated evolution with social improvement. “I’m not anti-technologist,” she clarified, “but my beef is the ways in which private corporations have increasingly taken on the functions of the state.” This shift, she argues, has been gradual and often accidental, but has become more deliberate in recent decades as tech leaders openly advocate moving beyond the nation-state.

Science Fiction as a Cautionary Tale

Lepore contends that many tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Sam Altman, misread science fiction as a blueprint rather than a warning. She points to E.M. Forster’s 1909 story “The Machine Stops” as a prescient example, noting that its dystopian vision of humans dependent on a central machine feels like “the diary of a very unhappy YouTuber” today. “What’s funny about Musk,” she said, “is the stuff he likes actually completely defeats and defies all of his political beliefs.” The book examines a literary tradition she calls the “parable of the artificial state,” where machines evolve to rule or destroy humanity, reflecting deep anxieties about technological overreach.

Twitter and the ‘Digital Town Hall’ Myth

Lepore dismissed the idea that social media platforms like Twitter function as democratic spaces, calling it “bananas” to label the platform a digital town hall. She noted that in 2012, only about 20% of Americans had Twitter accounts, and over 90% of political tweets came from fewer than 10% of users. “Twitter was a representation of the most extreme, politically active, hyper-partisan among Americans,” she said, adding that politicians relying on it for public sentiment receive “really bad information.”

Why the Artificial State Is Doomed to Fail

Lepore argues that the artificial state is inherently unsustainable because it depends on exploiting natural resources while alienating humans from the environment. “The artificial state will destroy the natural world, and yet it needs the resources of the natural world to run,” she explained. This tension, she says, is a recurring theme in science fiction, from Asimov to modern stories, and underscores the impossibility of maintaining such a system without catastrophic consequences.

Implications for Democracy and Governance

The historian stresses that decisions about technology’s role in governance must be made democratically, with public input. She points to growing local opposition to data centers as an example of citizens demanding accountability. “No one consented to this,” she said, referring to corporate encroachment on state functions. “These decisions are not popular.” Lepore also criticized the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which she says shaped the internet in ways that favored corporate interests, and called for revisiting the alternatives that were dismissed at the time.

Conclusion

Jill Lepore’s critique offers a timely warning about the convergence of corporate power and technology at the expense of democratic institutions. Her book, “The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State,” provides a historical framework for understanding these developments, urging readers to question the inevitability of technological progress. As she put it, “progress” should mean things are getting better, not just faster.

FAQs

Q1: What is the ‘artificial state’ according to Jill Lepore?
The artificial state is a system where private corporations and algorithms take over functions traditionally held by democratic governments, such as regulation and public services, often without public consent.

Q2: Why does Lepore believe tech leaders misread science fiction?
She argues that many tech leaders treat dystopian or cautionary sci-fi stories as instruction manuals, ignoring their warnings about the dangers of unchecked technological power and its impact on human autonomy.

Q3: How does Lepore suggest addressing the rise of the artificial state?
She advocates for democratic deliberation on technology policy, emphasizing that decisions must be made with public input and accountability, rather than left to corporate interests.