Cyberselfish Author Returns to Challenge Techno-Libertarianism

Books about technology struggle to age well as companies rise and fall and new products constantly replace older ones. Last year, however, 'Nerd Reich' author Gil Durán argued that it was time to revive the career of Paulina Borsook, noting she saw everything clearly and tried to warn people 25 years ago. Later that fall, The New York Times reported that Borsook's 'Cyberselfish,' originally published in 2000, was finding new readers eager to understand why the tech industry lost its way.

Long after going out of print, 'Cyberselfish' is returning in a new edition from Tin House, featuring a fresh introduction by Durán. In a Zoom interview, Borsook explained that the book serves almost as a travelogue documenting her efforts to understand the techno-libertarian influence shaping Silicon Valley culture.

Borsook described the mindset as violently anti-regulation, noting that no sector of society has benefited more or suffered less from the government than tech leaders. She explained that even after the dot-com crash, this attitude persisted and spread unchecked. Following the initial release of her book, Borsook mentioned that public interest in her commentary vanished entirely for years.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

However, she began noticing rising prices for used copies last year alongside unexpected social media posts praising the book's importance, as well as inquiries from European academics. This momentum ultimately drove additional press coverage and the new Tin House publication. In the full interview, Borsook discusses artificial intelligence, the evolution of Silicon Valley over the past quarter-century, and advice for young tech professionals.

Source: TechCrunch