Beware the Jabberwock, or, Let's All Do the Techno-Oligarchic Slide

Abstract

The Mutant, in this case, is capitalism. Isn't it always? But to be more specific: capitalism qua capitalism is not necessarily bad. Nor is it good. It's like a gun – guns alone rarely kill people. Unfettered access amid a culture of violence, however, does. Ultimately, then, it is legislation that brings the necessary restrictions on money trumping Good. Anarchy can do so temporarily, as was the case in the early days of the internet. But the lack of a central system of organization or control eventually leads to the centralization of capital, and those with more begin to impose their will in order to further benefit themselves – essentially creating the missing rules in their own interest. The current state of what we generally refer to as neoliberal capitalism has meant a void filled with broligarchs (Cadwalladr, 2024).