Brilliant essay. This, Mike Madrid, I think is one of the best you have written. Too much power is concentrated in the hands of a few tech companies. And think of how that power accelerates with AI? I know someone who works for a tech company that has been going through massive layoffs, and taking that money and reinvesting in AI. Its frightening. And the issues of privacy, storage of sensitive information, etc... needs a resolution. If we're going to be American, than the Bill of Rights needs to apply to technology. Otherwise we'll lose the country. Keep writing, best Substack I follow.
This is so on point--thank you! One of the related problems/issues, I think, is that this is particularly hard to tackle because so many of us don't even understand how tech works, what the parameters of the field are, or the meanings/definitions of the related terminology--we literally don't have the language to explain what we're so worried about. I don't think it's just those of us who are older, or those of us whose minds shut down out of sheer boredom when somebody starts to explain to us why our computer when kaflooey--I'm not getting a strong sense that many younger people understand all this any better. Combine all that with the out-of-fashion-ness of attention to ethics and to formal logic/critical thinking skills and....we are not in good shape to address this central problem, at all. At All.
As Timothy Snyder says “We teach power what it can do” and IMO the first shot across the bow in the war against big tech should be elected officials using their control over where, when and how a data center can be built as the leverage that’s going to be needed to gain some control.
Amazing. I hope you resolve the cliffhanger by announcing that your agent has sold your idea as a forthcoming book! What you wrote is the clearest (that's objective) and most accurate (that's subjective :) ) assessment of what's happening right now that I've seen or heard anywhere.
Thank you David. I don’t think she believes it could find a market big enough to sell books.
Which means I’ll keep writing on it until it becomes a more coherent argument. A series of essays might be the right structure anyway - at least John Locke and Thomas Paine would think so! Hehe
OK, Mike. I was raised in the publishing industry and am now a direct response marketing coach, which means I help people come up with salacious and tantalizing hooks for solid, utilitarian goods and services. :)
By way of introduction of what I am about to say:
You don't need to change the core argument itself. Its crystalline, and, with the right contextual setup, it could quite literally (both meanings of the word) sweep the nation.
What you need is an irresistible and irrefutable HOOK that draws the reader (i.e. publisher and then their readers) in, and still makes sense when they find out what the book really is about.
The easiest way to find this is when you are trying to explain the idea to someone else who is having a thick-headed moment. Out of frustration and annoyance you come up with a simpler, sleeker and more penetrating way to open their mind to your idea.
That's not the ONLY way to do it. And your way may work better for you than the one I suggested. But in any case, keep at it. World needs to know, digest, and act on this idea!!!
Excellent essay, the first time I have seen these ideas synthesized this way into a very cogent argument, and this needs to be in front of everyone, now!
The Conservative Movement has been exploding since the Koch Bros funded think tanks got to define the Conservative agenda. Tax cuts for Corporate America. Deregulation for Corporate America. The Republican agenda since Reagan.
Notice I pointed out back to Reagan. Trump is decades later. Need to know some history about the influence Koch Bros. money had back then. Tons of books on the subject.
Wow. This one is dense and required listening to, then reading, slowly, twice. I slept on it, reread it and still have questions. What mechanism is out there considering and doing something about the welfare of families, individuals, making lives, generation to generation, better? Is long-term planning to make our lives better obsolete, quaint? Does government play a role or are we expected to just roll with the punches, hoping for a life of our choosing but knowing, as the gap widens, that opportunity, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness have become more and more narrowly defined?
Basically people are not stupid and though it may take a while for them to figure things out and stop sipping the cool-aide, they eventually do get the picture. With the current Resident Select it has taken a while and a lot of new ways to screw us and our world bur people do get it. What to do about recovering from the past 60 years of significant exploitation, militarization and skull duggary has got us in a heck of a mess. But people do know this. Unless they are just waiting for the Rapture they are doing what they can about it, especially when they begin getting a clue what to do.
Grorge Will is a Reknown Republican Conservative Mike. Debate him on Coservatism. I read his articles constantly. I think he would not agree with some of your ideas. Just sayin.
No one agrees with anyone entirely on anything but George Will would agree with what I’ve written here far more than he wouldn’t. Not even sure what you’re suggesting he would say because you have stated anything. I’m not sure you understand George Will or conservatism but if you were reading him you’d find his critiques of Trump fall exactly along these lines
I was not attacking you. In fact I listen to many of your talks. Sorry you took it as an attack. I cannot go into a debate Mr. Madrid I am ill would run out if energy pretty quickly. Deeply sorry you felt attacked in any way.
No judgement on my part just a observation from someone that has been around a lot longer than you. I do understand Conservatism I was one years ago. I simply suggested that I did not think that Mr. Will would entirely agree with your entire philisophy. I admit I could be wrong.
Age has nothing to do with a strong argument. You’ve offered none here. I don’t mind criticism but I take issue with broad attacks with no evidence.
Tell me where Will would disagree and I’m happy to discuss and learn. Otherwise you’re just attacking to attack and that serves no one - including you.
Brilliant essay. This, Mike Madrid, I think is one of the best you have written. Too much power is concentrated in the hands of a few tech companies. And think of how that power accelerates with AI? I know someone who works for a tech company that has been going through massive layoffs, and taking that money and reinvesting in AI. Its frightening. And the issues of privacy, storage of sensitive information, etc... needs a resolution. If we're going to be American, than the Bill of Rights needs to apply to technology. Otherwise we'll lose the country. Keep writing, best Substack I follow.
Thank you kindly David 🙏🏼
This is so on point--thank you! One of the related problems/issues, I think, is that this is particularly hard to tackle because so many of us don't even understand how tech works, what the parameters of the field are, or the meanings/definitions of the related terminology--we literally don't have the language to explain what we're so worried about. I don't think it's just those of us who are older, or those of us whose minds shut down out of sheer boredom when somebody starts to explain to us why our computer when kaflooey--I'm not getting a strong sense that many younger people understand all this any better. Combine all that with the out-of-fashion-ness of attention to ethics and to formal logic/critical thinking skills and....we are not in good shape to address this central problem, at all. At All.
Agreed Pamela!
Thanks, Mike/Mr. Madrid (not sure which you prefer). (Also, typo correction--went kaflooey, not when--good grief!)
It’s definitely Mike
OK then!
As Timothy Snyder says “We teach power what it can do” and IMO the first shot across the bow in the war against big tech should be elected officials using their control over where, when and how a data center can be built as the leverage that’s going to be needed to gain some control.
Yes however we define it, we need a trust busting party to reengage and fight against the oligarchs.
Fantastic essay-clear, timely and cogent.
Wonderful insights.
Great start Mike! Now I want to read the book, please.
Amazing. I hope you resolve the cliffhanger by announcing that your agent has sold your idea as a forthcoming book! What you wrote is the clearest (that's objective) and most accurate (that's subjective :) ) assessment of what's happening right now that I've seen or heard anywhere.
Thank you David. I don’t think she believes it could find a market big enough to sell books.
Which means I’ll keep writing on it until it becomes a more coherent argument. A series of essays might be the right structure anyway - at least John Locke and Thomas Paine would think so! Hehe
OK, Mike. I was raised in the publishing industry and am now a direct response marketing coach, which means I help people come up with salacious and tantalizing hooks for solid, utilitarian goods and services. :)
By way of introduction of what I am about to say:
You don't need to change the core argument itself. Its crystalline, and, with the right contextual setup, it could quite literally (both meanings of the word) sweep the nation.
What you need is an irresistible and irrefutable HOOK that draws the reader (i.e. publisher and then their readers) in, and still makes sense when they find out what the book really is about.
The easiest way to find this is when you are trying to explain the idea to someone else who is having a thick-headed moment. Out of frustration and annoyance you come up with a simpler, sleeker and more penetrating way to open their mind to your idea.
And
voilà. There it is.
That's not the ONLY way to do it. And your way may work better for you than the one I suggested. But in any case, keep at it. World needs to know, digest, and act on this idea!!!
Sounds like I could use your help!
Sure, let's talk about it. I'd love to help you out. My email's david @ davidgarfinkel.com
Please send me a note, and we can figure out what to do.
Excellent essay, the first time I have seen these ideas synthesized this way into a very cogent argument, and this needs to be in front of everyone, now!
The Conservative Movement has been exploding since the Koch Bros funded think tanks got to define the Conservative agenda. Tax cuts for Corporate America. Deregulation for Corporate America. The Republican agenda since Reagan.
Then explain to me why the Koch infrastructure opposes Trump. Hint: it’s exactly because of what I’ve outlined here
Notice I pointed out back to Reagan. Trump is decades later. Need to know some history about the influence Koch Bros. money had back then. Tons of books on the subject.
I think you might need to read up more on the ‘conservative agenda’. This has been policy since at least Calvin Coolidge
Wow. This one is dense and required listening to, then reading, slowly, twice. I slept on it, reread it and still have questions. What mechanism is out there considering and doing something about the welfare of families, individuals, making lives, generation to generation, better? Is long-term planning to make our lives better obsolete, quaint? Does government play a role or are we expected to just roll with the punches, hoping for a life of our choosing but knowing, as the gap widens, that opportunity, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness have become more and more narrowly defined?
Basically people are not stupid and though it may take a while for them to figure things out and stop sipping the cool-aide, they eventually do get the picture. With the current Resident Select it has taken a while and a lot of new ways to screw us and our world bur people do get it. What to do about recovering from the past 60 years of significant exploitation, militarization and skull duggary has got us in a heck of a mess. But people do know this. Unless they are just waiting for the Rapture they are doing what they can about it, especially when they begin getting a clue what to do.
Grorge Will is a Reknown Republican Conservative Mike. Debate him on Coservatism. I read his articles constantly. I think he would not agree with some of your ideas. Just sayin.
George Will would completely agree with me
I doubt he would agree with your entire phosophy on Conservatism, but he is my age now so some things may have changed.
No one agrees with anyone entirely on anything but George Will would agree with what I’ve written here far more than he wouldn’t. Not even sure what you’re suggesting he would say because you have stated anything. I’m not sure you understand George Will or conservatism but if you were reading him you’d find his critiques of Trump fall exactly along these lines
Don’t think so, but I could be wrong.
I was not attacking you. In fact I listen to many of your talks. Sorry you took it as an attack. I cannot go into a debate Mr. Madrid I am ill would run out if energy pretty quickly. Deeply sorry you felt attacked in any way.
No judgement on my part just a observation from someone that has been around a lot longer than you. I do understand Conservatism I was one years ago. I simply suggested that I did not think that Mr. Will would entirely agree with your entire philisophy. I admit I could be wrong.
Age has nothing to do with a strong argument. You’ve offered none here. I don’t mind criticism but I take issue with broad attacks with no evidence.
Tell me where Will would disagree and I’m happy to discuss and learn. Otherwise you’re just attacking to attack and that serves no one - including you.