Why Silicon Valley Misunderstands Science Fiction
Historian Jill Lepore explains what tech leaders miss in their favorite stories.
1The Concept of the Artificial State
Jill Lepore's new book 'The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State' explores the long history of human judgment giving way to systems that promise speed and efficiency. Lepore argues that in its modern form, this fantasy has shifted power toward machines owned by corporations and their leaders. The book, out on August 25, also examines societal resistance against the proliferation of AI data centers.
2The Historical Role of Science Fiction
Science fiction has been imagining versions of this future for over a century. Lepore notes that this narrative is now colliding with politics as communities fight to stop the spread of massive data centers supporting AI. In this resistance, Lepore sees signs of the fall of what she calls the 'Artificial State.'
3Defining the Artificial State
Lepore defines the Artificial State as both a fantasy of a posthuman world and something currently being built. The liberal, democratic, constitutional nation-state is being replaced by an artificial state where humans are governed by machines owned by unelected corporations. Lepore describes this as dystopian, a fantasy traceable in sci-fi as far back as the 1860s.
4Technological Advances and Libertarianism
Lepore distinguishes between technological improvements that aid societal function and the current era shaped by Silicon Valley libertarianism. The 1996 'A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace' manifesto, which went viral, declared no laws in cyberspace. This libertarianism shaped the internet and now influences AI, replacing government by consent with corporate-controlled systems.
5Science Fiction and Reality
Lepore writes that the Artificial State in sci-fi is almost always a nightmare, citing E. M. Forster's 1909 story 'The Machine Stops.' While people may not think they're living in that dystopia, those losing jobs to AI or witnessing massive data center construction might feel otherwise. Lepore highlights the prescience of such stories.
6Silicon Valley's Misreading
Lepore argues that the architects of the Artificial State read a lot of sci-fi but misinterpret it. She praises sci-fi writer Ted Chiang for correctly identifying the central conceit of robot-apocalypse stories. Chiang compares modern corporations to the relentless, ruthless robots in dystopian tales, emphasizing their single-minded pursuit of goals regardless of human cost.
7The Fall of the Artificial State
Lepore sees growing societal resistance to AI data centers as a sign of the Artificial State's potential downfall. Communities are protesting the enormous sums spent on building housing for machines. Lepore suggests this resistance could mark the beginning of the end for systems where humans don't consent to governance.
8Implications for the Future
Lepore's analysis underscores the importance of science fiction in understanding technology's societal impact. Silicon Valley's misinterpretation of sci-fi could have serious consequences for how AI and other technologies are developed and used. Lepore argues that societal resistance and awareness are key factors that could lead to the fall of the Artificial State.