If you want an explanation for why AI companies are so incomprehensibly capitalized, as you put it, read Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism by economist Yanis Varoufakis. He posits that profit is no longer the goal; instead, it's trapping people on digital platforms and charging them rent, or cloud rent, as he calls it.
In my mind, he explained why Silicon Valley is the way it is and how companies like Uber can be so valuable while being largely unprofitable.
He also goes over America's key place in the global economy, which might change now that Trump has been reelected.
Thank you for your commentary and stimulating suggestions. Also recommend "Zed" by Joanna Kavenna set in a Britain where big tech has almost completed its dominance of the media and the government, fulfilling the projections in "The Handover" by philosopher David Runciman where AI's collaborate with other AI's to determine the narrative.
Wow, amazing to see Veronica mentioned here. A beautiful, transportive read. It’s what happens when high and low collide in literature. Gaitskill is one of a kind.
"Hope is all that's left when you have no power." I wish I could honor that speaker with attribution. I heard it on the radio (you remember those) years-ago. I sort-of remember that he had a Japanese-sounding last name. I felt slapped. I really resisted. All our lives we've been told "There's always hope"; "Don't give-up hope". But he's right and I'll get to the redeeming corollary. If you get a flat tire, you don't hope that the air goes back-in; you use your power to change the tire or call the auto club or walk to a gas station. If you sneeze and I say: "I hope you're not catching a cold", you might accept that I'm being sincere but we both know that I have no power to affect an outcome. Hannah Arendt recognized that hope is, at best, useless and that it can be devastatingly pernicious if it forestalls action when, for instance, you board a train with your family and hope that there aren't Nazis with ovens at the last stop. So we are conditioned to have hope just as we are supposed to have faith - belief in something for which there is no evidence. It seems like hope always comes in individual servings. Yes, there are boneheaded "Hopium Chronicals" and the like; broadcast as widely as possible but the takeaway is almost always: Don't feel bad, something is being done on your behalf, read this (subscribe!), cast a vote every couple of years, knock doors (that always works) and accept that institutions held. Oh-well. The always unspoken element of "hope" is that you're on your own. You ARE powerless, that's WHY you need hope. But here's the redeeming corollary: A million people are not without power. If we shove hope up their ass and work together to organize and exercise our power, then we won't be perennially disappointed. I can't say for sure, but Obama's HOPE might just as well have been designed to lull us into powerlessness. You might have noticed that the world was not changed. Yeah, yeah, as much incremental health insurance as the industry will allow. "Hopium" might really be an opiate. We are so conditioned to embrace hope that we've relinquished our power. Easily fragmented. lose the "collective" from collective bargaining. Capital riding the world's most powerful rockets while Labor accepts scraps, always at the expense of some other laborer.
Always good to see Ted Chiang mentioned: IMO he’s one of the best short form writers in English today, in any genre. Some of his stories remind me of Jorge Luis Borges in their examination of counterfactual worlds.
Talking of the relationship between (corporate) employer and employee, I think the TV series Severance is getting into just how twisted that can become. Definitely worth watching.
Too keen to see Pyrrhon mentioned here! Great new record from them. New Oranssi Pazuzu and Blood Incantation records are mind blowing if you haven't checked them yet 🔨
I agree. Id really have liked it to be my favourite, but Mestarin is almost flawless! If you recall, I'm the person who read your entire book over 2 days while in the lines at Tokyo Disneyland. I'll never forget it, not only because The Hammer is excellent and opened my eyes open to a whole lot. Looking forward to new Grima also 💀
I started watching Evil right as this last season was starting. Such fun junk food tv! The stuff they threw at the wall the last few episodes was so over the top in a campy way.
On the subject of metal, a lot of metal bands put out songs near the end of the year with the title, "Deny Defend Depose." You can find a bunch on YouTube if you search, but here's one with an AI video:
I wish 'The Lifecycle of Software Objects' would go back into print! On Amazon, there's just a few sellers who want almost $300. If you know Ted, ask him to give those publishers a nudge!
If you want an explanation for why AI companies are so incomprehensibly capitalized, as you put it, read Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism by economist Yanis Varoufakis. He posits that profit is no longer the goal; instead, it's trapping people on digital platforms and charging them rent, or cloud rent, as he calls it.
In my mind, he explained why Silicon Valley is the way it is and how companies like Uber can be so valuable while being largely unprofitable.
He also goes over America's key place in the global economy, which might change now that Trump has been reelected.
Yeah I should definitely read that…. Cheers!
Cloud Rent makes a hell of a lot of sense.
I finally subscribed and I am here for your favorite heavy metal tunes of the year (in addition to everything else).
Thank you tbone — in that case… I’ll throw something to get her early Jan; happy holidays, cheers
+1 for metal favourites!
Thank you for your commentary and stimulating suggestions. Also recommend "Zed" by Joanna Kavenna set in a Britain where big tech has almost completed its dominance of the media and the government, fulfilling the projections in "The Handover" by philosopher David Runciman where AI's collaborate with other AI's to determine the narrative.
Aha! This is what I’m talking about, love it, thanks for the suggestion, hadn’t heard of that one, but will check it out now!
Wow, amazing to see Veronica mentioned here. A beautiful, transportive read. It’s what happens when high and low collide in literature. Gaitskill is one of a kind.
Could not agree more. Her shorts are great too.
"Hope is all that's left when you have no power." I wish I could honor that speaker with attribution. I heard it on the radio (you remember those) years-ago. I sort-of remember that he had a Japanese-sounding last name. I felt slapped. I really resisted. All our lives we've been told "There's always hope"; "Don't give-up hope". But he's right and I'll get to the redeeming corollary. If you get a flat tire, you don't hope that the air goes back-in; you use your power to change the tire or call the auto club or walk to a gas station. If you sneeze and I say: "I hope you're not catching a cold", you might accept that I'm being sincere but we both know that I have no power to affect an outcome. Hannah Arendt recognized that hope is, at best, useless and that it can be devastatingly pernicious if it forestalls action when, for instance, you board a train with your family and hope that there aren't Nazis with ovens at the last stop. So we are conditioned to have hope just as we are supposed to have faith - belief in something for which there is no evidence. It seems like hope always comes in individual servings. Yes, there are boneheaded "Hopium Chronicals" and the like; broadcast as widely as possible but the takeaway is almost always: Don't feel bad, something is being done on your behalf, read this (subscribe!), cast a vote every couple of years, knock doors (that always works) and accept that institutions held. Oh-well. The always unspoken element of "hope" is that you're on your own. You ARE powerless, that's WHY you need hope. But here's the redeeming corollary: A million people are not without power. If we shove hope up their ass and work together to organize and exercise our power, then we won't be perennially disappointed. I can't say for sure, but Obama's HOPE might just as well have been designed to lull us into powerlessness. You might have noticed that the world was not changed. Yeah, yeah, as much incremental health insurance as the industry will allow. "Hopium" might really be an opiate. We are so conditioned to embrace hope that we've relinquished our power. Easily fragmented. lose the "collective" from collective bargaining. Capital riding the world's most powerful rockets while Labor accepts scraps, always at the expense of some other laborer.
Grim but fair.
Always good to see Ted Chiang mentioned: IMO he’s one of the best short form writers in English today, in any genre. Some of his stories remind me of Jorge Luis Borges in their examination of counterfactual worlds.
Talking of the relationship between (corporate) employer and employee, I think the TV series Severance is getting into just how twisted that can become. Definitely worth watching.
Hard agree — and I'm looking forward to hopefully getting some new Severance next year too...
Too keen to see Pyrrhon mentioned here! Great new record from them. New Oranssi Pazuzu and Blood Incantation records are mind blowing if you haven't checked them yet 🔨
Yup love both, especially Absolute — not my *favorite* Pazuzu but they can really do no wrong
I agree. Id really have liked it to be my favourite, but Mestarin is almost flawless! If you recall, I'm the person who read your entire book over 2 days while in the lines at Tokyo Disneyland. I'll never forget it, not only because The Hammer is excellent and opened my eyes open to a whole lot. Looking forward to new Grima also 💀
Ah yes! Hope you’re well these days, and yep, the last Grima single I heard was p good for sure
Loved Veronica. Wonderful book.
It’s incredible
I started watching Evil right as this last season was starting. Such fun junk food tv! The stuff they threw at the wall the last few episodes was so over the top in a campy way.
On the subject of metal, a lot of metal bands put out songs near the end of the year with the title, "Deny Defend Depose." You can find a bunch on YouTube if you search, but here's one with an AI video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFIB2J5iNC0
I wish 'The Lifecycle of Software Objects' would go back into print! On Amazon, there's just a few sellers who want almost $300. If you know Ted, ask him to give those publishers a nudge!