Picture this: you're scrolling through your feed, liking posts, and streaming shows, all while unknowingly feeding a new kind of empire. That's the core idea in Yanis Varoufakis's Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism, an Audible audiobook that flips your view of the economy upside down.
Remember when capitalism ran on markets and profit motives? Varoufakis argues that's over. Post-2008 bailouts poured trillions into big tech, letting them build private cloud kingdoms. Now, instead of competing in open markets, companies like Amazon and Google extract 'rents' from their platforms—think app store fees or ad revenues that lock you in. We're not consumers anymore; we're serfs tilling their digital lands, our data and attention fueling their power.
Every tap on your phone strengthens their grip. Algorithms shape what you see, think, and buy, rewriting global power rules. Varoufakis draws from Greek myths like Homer's epics and pop culture nods to Mad Men to make it click. It's not abstract theory—it's why your favorite app feels addictive, why prices seem rigged, and why innovation stagnates outside the giants.
This isn't just econ geekery. Technofeudalism threatens liberal individualism, our shot at averting climate disaster (big tech's energy hunger is massive), and democracy itself. It's fueling the US-China cold war, as nations vie for platform dominance. Listening to this unbridged audiobook, narrated with Varoufakis's sharp Greek economist edge, you'll hear stories that stick—like how TikTok distracted us from the takeover.
Pop in your earbuds during your commute, gym session, or evening walk. In about 8 hours, you'll grasp what killed capitalism and what it takes to fight back. Whether you're a policy wonk, tech skeptic, or just curious about why life feels off, this audiobook delivers insights without the jargon overload. It's a wake-up call wrapped in storytelling, perfect for rethinking your digital habits and the world around you.
Grab Technofeudalism on Audible today and step out of the cloud fiefdoms wiser.
