The Rise of Technofascists
Briefly

The Rise of Technofascists
"On this episode of The David Frum Show, The Atlantic 's David Frum opens with reflections on the malicious prosecution of James Comey and what it reveals about Donald Trump's growing power over the justice system. He explains how the United States, unlike other advanced democracies, has allowed prosecutions to become instruments of presidential will, why Watergate-era norms of independence have eroded, and how the Supreme Court's recent rulings have accelerated the drift toward one-man rule."
"Then Frum is joined by Sam Harris-author, podcaster, and creator of the Waking Up app-for a conversation about Silicon Valley's dark political evolution toward authoritarianism. They discuss how the emancipatory optimism of the early internet gave way to surveillance, manipulation, and the shattering of shared reality; why prominent tech figures are embracing authoritarian politics; and how conspiracy, anti-vaccine movements, and the pursuit of profit have corroded the culture of innovation."
"He notes how the Nazi regime advanced anti-smoking and cancer-prevention campaigns even as it committed atrocities, tracing the deeper links between politics and health. Drawing a parallel to today, David connects that history to the rise of the MAHA movement: where anti-vaccine ideology and wellness grifts overlap with MAGA politics, fueled by distrust of experts and a refusal of solidarity and empathy with the sick and suffering."
Malicious prosecution of James Comey illustrates growing presidential influence over the justice system and erosion of prosecutorial independence, with recent Supreme Court rulings accelerating power concentration in the executive. Silicon Valley's early emancipatory promises have given way to surveillance, manipulation, and fragmentation of shared reality, as tech figures sometimes embrace authoritarian politics and profit incentives fuel conspiracy and anti-vaccine movements. Historical examples show regimes can advance public-health measures while committing atrocities, revealing complex links between politics and health. Contemporary overlaps among anti-vaccine ideology, wellness grifts, and MAGA-aligned politics recast health as a moral test that reinforces authoritarian agendas.
Read at The Atlantic
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