Summary
In this in-depth analysis, Cory Doctorow contemplates the intersection of surveillance and economic inequality through the works of Edward Snowden and Thomas Piketty. He argues that increased wealth concentration among the elite is politically destabilizing, leading to a society governed by unaccountable billionaires. The essay reflects on historical contexts, contemporary surveillance practices, and the implications of AI on labor and governance, emphasizing the need for democratic legitimacy and equitable wealth distribution to avert societal unrest.