Not familiar with Hedge's work, but supporting Jill Stein and having a show on RT (Russia's state TV propaganda channel) that ran up until Russia invaded Ukraine aren't great points of confidence for me personally. Seems like some good general positions within the chaos there, but some significant red flags to consider before diving into this type of long form content.
this post was submitted on 30 Jan 2025
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I don't know about this person's link but Varoufakis was on a book tour a while back so you can choose a different outlet of your preference to hear his opinions on how (in mainstream contexts anyway) people are being entrapped. I probably saw the interview he did on Novara myself.
I can recommend Yanis’ actual book titled Technofeudalism. It’s an easy read for lay audiences as he’s written it as if he was explaining the outcomes of his research in simple terms to his father.
I found it to be a fresh take compared to most post-capitalist research that I’ve read over the last few years.
Generated Summary Below:
Video Description:
Former member of the Greek parliament and Minister of Finance Yanis Varoufakis joins host Chris Hedges on this episode of The Chris Hedges Report to explain how capitalism is dead and a new form of capital, the title of his new book, “Technofeudalism,” has arisen and holds power akin to the feudal lords of medieval times.
Generated Summary:
Introduction to [Technofeudalism]
- [Yanis] Varoufakis, a former Greek Parliament member and Minister of Finance, presents his argument in his book titled " [Technofeudalism]: What Killed Capitalism." He posits that capitalism is no longer viable and has been replaced by a new system he refers to as [Technofeudalism].
- Varoufakis claims that the dynamics of capitalism that once governed economic systems have ceased to function effectively, leading to the emergence of this new economic paradigm.
- He identifies two primary forces that contributed to the rise of [Technofeudalism]: the privatization of the Internet by major tech companies in China and the United States, and the responses of Western governments and central banks to the 2008 financial crisis.
- The author introduces the concept of "Cloud Capital," which he argues has dismantled the foundational pillars of capitalism, specifically markets and profits, leading to a new form of economic structure.
The Shift from Capitalism to Cloud Capital
- Varoufakis explains that traditional markets, which served as the medium of capitalism, have been replaced by digital trading platforms that superficially resemble markets but fundamentally differ from them.
- He asserts that profits, once the driving force of capitalism, have been supplanted by a form of rent that must be paid to access digital platforms and the cloud, which he terms "Cloud Rent."
- The ownership of wealth and power has shifted from traditional capital owners, such as those owning machinery and infrastructure, to the owners of cloud capital, leading to a return of individuals to a status akin to serfs.
- Varoufakis warns that this transformation threatens individual autonomy and freedom as people contribute to the wealth of a new ruling class through both unpaid and waged labor.
Defining Cloud Capital
- In discussing Cloud Capital, Varoufakis elaborates on its origins and characteristics, noting that capital has existed in various forms long before the advent of capitalism.
- He describes Cloud Capital as an automated network composed of technology and machinery, which is designed not for production in the traditional sense but for behavioral modification.
- The interaction with devices like Siri, Google Assistant, or Amazon Alexa exemplifies how individuals unknowingly train these systems while simultaneously being influenced by them.
- Varoufakis highlights that this automated system can shape desires and preferences, leading to a direct sale of products bypassing traditional market structures.
The Impact on Labor and Employment
- The author discusses the implications of [Technofeudalism] on labor, particularly for those in traditional wage labor positions, such as workers in warehouses or factories.
- He notes that modern workplaces utilize advanced algorithms to monitor and manage workers, significantly altering the nature of work and reducing autonomy.
- Varoufakis contrasts the revenue allocation of traditional manufacturers, which historically allocated a large percentage of revenue to wages, with modern tech companies that allocate significantly less.
- This shift in capital distribution contributes to a decrease in job quality and availability, exacerbating economic inequality and diminishing opportunities for wage laborers.
The Role of Central Banks and Financial Systems
- Varoufakis emphasizes the role of central banks in the post-2008 financial landscape, arguing that their actions have not saved capitalism but instead facilitated its transformation into [Technofeudalism].
- He describes how the financial system's reliance on printed money has encouraged the growth of cloud capital while imposing austerity measures on the general populace.
- The author points out that the financial benefits of central bank actions have primarily accrued to large tech companies rather than traditional industries, leading to a disconnection between capital investment and real economic growth.
- Varoufakis concludes that this transformation has resulted in a new class of economic elites, whom he refers to as "Cloudists," who operate outside the traditional capitalist framework.
Collective Action and Resistance
- In the latter part of the discussion, Varoufakis explores potential avenues for resistance against the forces of [Technofeudalism], emphasizing the need for collective action.
- He suggests that traditional forms of labor organizing must be combined with modern digital tools to effectively challenge the dominance of cloud capital.
- Varoufakis offers practical examples, such as creating parallel payment systems and organizing consumer boycotts, to empower individuals and communities.
- He advocates for a rebalancing of power dynamics, where the working class can leverage cloud capital to their advantage, thus transforming the current economic landscape.
About Channel:
Covering US foreign policy, economic realities, and civil liberties in American society.
About: Chris Hedges, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, author and commentator provides compelling story telling, archive interviews & show content covering US foreign policy, economic realities and civil liberties in American society.