Our New Prometheans – WSS presents: The Radical Philosophies of Silicon Valley Elites w/ Paris Marx

“The reform of consciousness consists only in making the world aware of its own consciousness, in awakening it out of its dream about itself, in explaining to it the meaning of its own actions… Hence, our motto must be: reform of consciousness not through dogmas, but by analysing the mystical consciousness that is unintelligible to itself, whether it manifests itself in a religious or a political form.” – Karl Marx, For a Ruthless Criticism of Everything Existing, 1843.

Wellington Socialist Society are thrilled to welcome Paris Marx back to Bedlam & Squalor once again!

In March last year Paris, host of the popular podcast “Tech Won’t Save Us”, joined us to discuss power of Big Tech, the impact of automation on the job market, and the urgent need for democratic control over the technologies that shape our lives.

This year, Paris is back with a specific focus on the beliefs and ideologies of Silicon Valley’s tech titans and to explore notions such as generative AI and LLMs, techno-optimism, and TESCREAL (transhumanism, extropianism, singularitarianism, cosmism, rationalism, effective altruism, and longtermism). We’ll also have an opportunity to engage with Paris in an audience Q&A session.

Paris holds a Master’s degree in urban geography from McGill University and is the author of Road to Nowhere: What Silicon Valley Gets Wrong about the Future of Transportation. Paris’ writing on technology and politics has been published in Time Magazine, Wired Magazine, NBC News, CBC News, and many others. You can also find his writing at his blog/newsletter ‘Disconnect’.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to hear from one of the leading voices in tech journalism and join the conversation with the Wellington Socialist Society and Paris Marx.

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Proceedings:

6:00 pm – Doors Open

6:30 pm – Introductions

6:40 pm – Conversation with Paris

7:20 pm – Intermission

7:30 pm – Q & A