Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor Say the End of the World is Now on the Table
Summary
Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor discuss their new book, "End Times Fascism and the Fight for the Living World," which argues that a coalition of tech billionaires, religious right operatives, and ethno-nationalists is actively accelerating global collapse rather than preventing it. They analyze how this "end times" ideology manifests in the Trump administration, Silicon Valley’s embrace of authoritarianism, and the prioritization of AI and space colonization over planetary survival. The conversation explores the economic and ideological shifts driving this alliance, noting that elites now just…
Topics discussed
Introduction and book overview
Defining end times fascism
Space exploration and the escape narrative
The three groups of end times fascists
The Trump coalition and practical coordination
Shift in tech elite alignment with Trump
AI energy demands and fascist consciousness
Far-right ideology in Silicon Valley
Trolling vs. serious ideological threats
Elon Musk's vision and incoherence
The need for a credible future vision
Language, terminology, and marginal beliefs
Harnessing apocalyptic energy on the left
Pushback against data centers and tech
Signs of receding power and accountability
Weaknesses of the end times fascist project
What makes life worthwhile: cities and nature
Closing remarks and credits
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