London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Mar 14, 2025

0:00
0:00

Why Do Tech Executives Support Kennedy Jr.?

Robert Kennedy Jr. is running for the Democratic presidential nomination. The support of tech executives for him reminds Paul Krugman of Henry Ford, in a negative sense.
Robert Kennedy Jr., a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, is a nutcase - claims Prof. Paul Krugman in The New York Times. His views are a mix of right-wing fantasies with remnants of the progressivism he once embraced: pushing for Bitcoin, anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, claims that Prozac causes massacres, opposition to aid to Ukraine. If it weren't for his family name, no one would pay attention to him - and despite his family name, he has zero chance of winning the nomination.

But now, as Ron DeSantis's campaign seems to be not taking off, Kennedy is suddenly receiving support from some big names in Silicon Valley. Twitter founder, Jack Dorsey, announced his support for him and several other prominent tech figures are helping him raise funds. Elon Musk hosted him on "Twitter Space". What does this say about the role of high-tech billionaires in American politics?

It seems that what attracts some tech types to RFK Jr. is his contrarianism - the scorn he shows for conventional wisdom and expert opinions. Therefore, Krugman says, a few words must be said about being "contrary to sense". The sad but true fact is that most of the time - conventional wisdom and experts are right; but there is a significant advantage in finding the places where they are wrong. For this, a delicate balance is needed between excessive skepticism towards accepted assumptions and over-credibility.

In this balancing act, it is very easy to fall on the wrong side. When I was young and ambitious - Krugman testifies about himself - I rolled my eyes at older economists, whose response to every new idea was "it's obvious, it's wrong and I said it in 1962"; today he fears that he himself has become such a type. On the other hand, always saying the opposite is a brain-destroying poison, in the words of economist Adam Ozimek. Those who get addicted to this poison, he continues, "lose their ability to judge others that they themselves consider contrarians, cannot distinguish between good and bad evidence and they deteriorate into a low-grade hobby of saying the opposite."

The high-tech guys are immediate suspects of such negative contrariness. Their financial success convinces them that they are especially brilliant and that they can deal with any topic without needing to consult those who work hard to understand the issues. In many cases, they get rich by breaking the conventional wisdom, which makes them believe that this approach is always right. Then they surround themselves with those who tell them what they want to hear, and if they talk to someone else at all - it's with their likes. This explains the strange opinions recently adopted by billionaires.

Krugman wants to add his own speculation. It may be odd to see significant capitalists and influencers buying conspiracy theories about world ruling elites; aren't they the elite themselves? But Krugman guesses that celebrities and the rich may be especially frustrated by their inability to control events or even prevent their trolling online. So instead of coming to terms with the fact that the world is a complex place where no one is in control, they embrace the idea that there is a group of villains chasing them. There is a precedent for this: Henry Ford, who financed the English translation of "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion".

In any case, what we are seeing now is extraordinary. The craziest faction in American politics right now is not blue-collar men in red hats in diners, but high-tech billionaires living in huge estates and flying in private jets. On some level, this is pretty funny. But unfortunately, these people have enough money to do serious damage."
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Meta Set to Introduce Community Notes Feature in March as Part of New Content Moderation Approach
Trump Family in Discussions for Investment in Binance
UK Prime Minister Suggests Significant Changes to the Governance of the National Health Service.
France Takes Strong Stance Against Potential US Tariffs on Alcoholic Drinks
Donatella Versace to Resign as Creative Director Following Almost 30 Years.
Trump's Ambassador Nominee Confirmed Canada’s Autonomy in the Face of Trade Strains
Netanyahu Rejects UN Conclusions on Gaza as 'Untrue'
Trump Speaks on the Possibility of a Ukraine Ceasefire Amid Continued Tensions
Trump Reaffirms Interest in Greenland Acquisition Amid Geopolitical Issues
French Prime Minister Bayrou Declares Position Against US Tariff Menaces
These are currently increasing in the UK.
Trump's Encounter with the Irish Prime Minister Takes an Unforeseen Twist Regarding Fashion and Economic Matters.
Isabel, a Russian native, wed Zahid Ali Khan, describing it as "love at first sight." She adores him for his character, not his $740 million fortune.
Chair Refers to Transgender Representative as 'Mr. McBride' During Congressional Meeting
The ICC's Revenge on Behalf of Drug Dealers, Against Philippine President Duterte, Who Fought Them and Saved 100 Million Filipinos from the Drugs-Death Industry—ignoring the fact that every victory comes at a cost
Canada Expresses Concerns Regarding U.S. Trade Policies Before G7 Meeting
FBI Alerts of Increasing Smishing Scams Aiming at Mobile Users
World Bank Officials Facing Examination for Travel-Related Carbon Emissions
EU and Canada Declare Countermeasures in Response to U.S. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren: An In-Depth Exploration of Their Marital Struggles and Current Co-Parenting Efforts
Ex-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Detained in Manila Under ICC Warrant
Mark Carney Chosen as Head of Canada's Liberal Party, Poised to Assume Role of Prime Minister
Russia Kicks Out British Diplomats in Escalated Tensions
Significant Rescue Effort in Progress Following Collision Between Tanker and Cargo Ship in the North Sea
Pope Francis Exhibits Signs of Recovery, Yet Remains Hospitalized
Report of Radioactive Coolant Leak at Europe’s Largest Nuclear Reactor
Trump Administration Launches Self-Deportation App for Undocumented Immigrants
Syria Wraps Up Military Campaign Amid Extensive Violence and Large-Scale Executions
Trump Remarks on the Arrest of a Pro-Palestinian Student at Columbia University
Former Labour MP Mike Amesbury to Resign Following Assault Conviction
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Prepares for Spring Statement Amid Economic Challenges
Home Secretary Denies Public Inquiry into Sir David Amess's Murder
UK Energy Bills to Increase by 80 Pence to Support Discounts for Households Near Pylons
Russian Teacher Under Investigation After Explicit Content Incident in Classroom
Poland Plans Comprehensive Military Training for All Adult Males Amid Enhanced Defense Initiatives
Lithuania Withdraws from Cluster Munitions Convention Amid Security Concerns
Escalating Vandalism Targets Tesla Amid Political Controversies
Former Security Adviser Cautions That UK Troop Presence in Ukraine May Last for Years
Demonstrations Break Out as Individual Ascends Big Ben Carrying Palestinian Flag
Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe Suspended Amid Allegations of Violence and Bullying
Private spacecraft Athena has successfully landed close to the Moon's south pole.
Trump Administration Unveils Gold Card Visa Program Exempting Foreign Assets from U.S. Taxation
Trump Holds White House Summit for Cryptocurrency Leaders Amid Financial Scandals
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Highlights the Importance of the US in Attaining Peace
Trump Discovers Negotiating with Russia More Manageable than with Ukraine During Ongoing Conflict
Google Eliminates Women's History Month and Various Cultural Celebrations from Calendar App
Pope Francis Offers Thanks Despite Continuing Health Issues
King Charles III Reveals Curated Playlist on Apple Music in Anticipation of Commonwealth Day.
Disney's Biggest Cruise Ship Set to Debut in Singapore
Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff, the former 'Baywatch' star, tragically took her own life at the age of 62.
×