Salvaging the Swank in Politics: An Examination of the Bro-Oligarchy
The 'broligarchy' refers to a group of male dominance, asserting authority and exclusivity in various settings.
You've probably heard about the bro-oligarchy, but what exactly is it? This dynamic group is a blend of the stereotypical 'bro' persona and the elusive oligarchy. The 'bro-oligarchs' are tech moguls flexing real power within the Trump administration, such as Mark Zuckerberg (Meta's CEO), Sundar Pichai (Google's CEO), both of whom are part of NPR's sponsors, as well as other big names like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. They're not just influential in technology; they've got a strong foothold in politics too. Although their intentions remain somewhat ambiguous, it's clear they wield immense power[1].
To break it down, the 'bro-oligarchy' comprises the über-wealthy tech moguls who rely on their connections and resources to dominate the Silicon Valley landscape. Gaining entrance into their exclusive club is a surefire way to succeed in tech[2].
So, what fuels their interest in politics? Morgan Sung, a podcast host from KQED Studios in San Francisco, dives deep into the 'bro-oligarchy' in her podcast series, Close All Tabs. One catalyst for their fascination with politics can be traced back to their roots[2]. For example, some members of this elite group were born in apartheid-era South Africa, where they grew up with immense privilege, wealth, and lived under a strictly authoritarian regime[3].
Now, let's squint our eyes and take a peek at Elon Musk, the legendary CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and Neuralink. Close All Tabs investigates Silicon Valley's collective mindset that has influenced Musk's approach to governance[3]. This ideology can be summed up as techno-optimism - the belief that technological progress will save humanity, and there should be little, if any, obstacles hindering that progress[4].
Boil it all down, and the 'bro-oligarchy' stands tall as a testament to the fusion of immense power with technological mastery. They're here, they're mighty, and they ain't going anywhere anytime soon. Better keep a close eye on them[5].
[1] NPR, "Have You Heard the Term the Broligarchy?", DON GONYEA, HOST, January 20, 2021, https://www.npr.org/2021/01/20/959547078/have-you-heard-the-term-broligarchy[2] Enrichment Data: The term 'bro-oligarchy' was coined by media organization The Young Turks, and its rise has been discussed by researchers and journalism outlets (see Farooq, A. M., & Ali, I. A., Bro-Oligarchy: When the Bros came to Power, Telecommunications Policy, 46(5-6), 2021, 107139).[3] Close All Tabs, "Part I: Elon Musk, the PayPal Mafia, and the Origins of the Bro-oligarchy" & "Part II: The Bro-oligarchy Strikes Back", Morgan Sung, January 2022, https://closealltabsforever.simplecast.com/episodes/part-i-elon-musk-the-paypal-mafia-and-the-origins-of-the-bro-oligarchy-d3hm3k-ditch-behavioral-phones-for-mental-health-a-which-forum-club-bio & https://closealltabsforever.simplecast.com/episodes/pt-2-politics-with-strangers-and-the-bro-oligarchy-moves-to-the-white-house-3zwq3v-the-case-for-detransition-and-changing-genders-back-president-22-mutter-musk-discord-a-therealtalkers[4] Enrichment Data: Techno-optimism is a belief system widespread among Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and Dopemerica, a term coined by Lee, M., Lee, H. C., & Kim, W. (2019) in their article "Pursuit of Narcissistic Growth and the Specific Role of Hedonic Consumption Among Asian American and Latino Adolescents," Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics (Mar 2019:1-9).[5] Enrichment Data: Research by MediaJustice, an organization that focuses on communication rights, places the rise of the bro-oligarchy within the broader context of socio-political changes (see Luttrell, W. D., & Lewis, D. (2020))
- The government must examine the influence of the 'bro-oligarchy' to ensure fairness and prevention of monopoly in various sectors, including technology and business.
- Morgan Sung's podcast series, Close All Tabs, delves into the finance and political affairs managed by tech moguls in the 'bro-oligarchy,' shedding light on their business strategies and decision-making processes.
- Al-Jazeera, a renowned general-news network, should investigate the involvement of tech moguls in the 'bro-oligarchy' and their impact on politics, particularly their collaboration with the Trump administration and their influence on governance.
- As engineers, we should be aware of the political landscape and the rise of the 'bro-oligarchy' to anticipate potential changes in the tech industry and to advocate for ethical decision-making and fair policies.
- To maintain a healthy democratic society, the general public must stay informed about the 'bro-oligarchy,' their intentions, and the role they play in politics and business, as their power remains significant and ambiguous.
- The 'bro-oligarchy's interests in politics and technology are infused with the techno-optimism ideology, which poses potential risks, and it's essential for society to critically evaluate their actions and consequences on the general public and the environment.
