On the operating system of the 21st century.
Historian Quinn Slobodian and tech writer Ben Tarnoff talk to Alex Hochuli and Alex Gourevitch about their new book, Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed, and why we should ask "what is Musk a symptom of?"
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If Fordism characterised the mid-20th century, are our times those of Muskism?
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What are the touchstones of Muskism that the authors identify: fortress futurism, financial fabulism, state symbiosis?
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Who is the real Musk, that of vehicles, energy, infrastructure, or that of the post-industrial stuff of social media, finance, AI?
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What does Muskism promise people? How does it legitimise itself – if at all?
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Is the state actually dependent on Musk, or is Musk dependent on the state?
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How much of Musk's right-wing turn is necessary to Muskism, and how much is contingent? Is the racial component central?
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