'Traitors to creation': Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor on the far right's apocalypse alliance
Summary
Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor discuss their new book, "Endimes Fascism," which analyzes a new right-wing alliance of Christian fundamentalists, Silicon Valley billionaires, and ethno-nationalists united by apocalyptic visions. They explore how this coalition leverages AI, climate crisis, and religious prophecy to justify authoritarianism, while arguing that local community organizing and material policy changes remain the most effective strategies for resistance.
Topics discussed
Listener survey announcement and show intro
Introduction to 'Endtimes Fascism' and guests
Defining the term 'fascism' in the current context
Historical parallels and the unstable nature of the coalition
Internal contradictions: Aryan heritage vs. corporate power
The 'wheels falling off' metaphor and political instability
Religious roots of end-times thinking and red heifers
Secular responses to crisis and the 'chosen few' template
The 'Left Behind' phenomenon and evangelical politics
Messianic Judaism, Israeli politics, and radicalization
Christian Zionism and the alliance with Israeli government
Silicon Valley accelerationism and techno-fascism
Critique of AI hype and the tension within the left
AI safety risks, labor displacement, and immediate impacts
AI failures in military applications and hallucinations
Silicon Valley ideology: Libertarianism and self-interest
Peter Thiel, eugenics, and the anti-human nature of tech
Comparison with historical fascism and 'cosplay' criticism
Ethnonationalism as climate adaptation and survival mode
Water rights, climate change, and territorial expansion
Prescriptions: Building broad alliances against fascism
Historical lessons from Jim Crow and Nuremberg laws
The importance of 'here-ness' and local organizing
Combating loneliness and anomie through community
Case study: Zohran Mamdani and NYC politics
The 'overeducated precarious' class and political support
Winning back the working class and voter engagement
Countering inevitability narratives and election defense
Optimism, climate procrastination penalty, and wealth caps
International controls on tech and building a broad alliance
Closing remarks and survey reminder
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