Cory Doctorow on the High Cost of Living with the Ultra-Rich

Why It Matters

The analysis shows how billionaire‑driven narratives distort markets, public policy, and societal priorities, underscoring the need for greater accountability in tech and finance.

Key Takeaways

• "Careless People" exposes Facebook's internal harassment and political manipulation
• "Little Bosses Everywhere" links MLM funding to neoliberal policy think tanks
• "More Everything Forever" dismantles billionaire-backed space and AI hype
• Doctorow labels elite disregard as "billionaireism" and platform decay as "enshittification"

Pulse Analysis

Doctorow’s "billionaireism" concept captures a growing unease about how extreme wealth reshapes public life. By describing the elite as operating above consequences, he highlights a systemic erosion of accountability that manifests in digital platforms. The term "enshittification"—the gradual degradation of user experience as profit motives dominate—offers a lens for investors and regulators to assess the long‑term viability of tech services that once promised openness but now prioritize shareholder returns over user trust.

The three books Doctorow discusses each illuminate a different facet of this power shift. "Careless People" provides a rare insider view of Facebook’s toxic culture, from sexual harassment to strategic alliances with political campaigns, illustrating how tech giants embed themselves in governance. "Little Bosses Everywhere" uncovers the financial scaffolding behind neoliberal policy, showing that MLM giants like Amway funded think‑tanks such as the Heritage Foundation, which in turn champion deregulation that benefits the ultra‑rich. Meanwhile, "More Everything Forever" dismantles the grandiose visions of space colonization and unchecked AI, revealing them as distraction tactics that divert attention from urgent climate action.

For business leaders and policymakers, these insights signal a need to reassess risk exposure linked to billionaire‑driven ventures. Companies that chase hype without substantive value may face regulatory backlash, while investors should scrutinize governance structures that enable "enshittification." Moreover, the convergence of tech, finance, and political lobbying calls for coordinated policy responses that restore competition, protect consumer data, and prioritize sustainable climate solutions over speculative futurism. Understanding these dynamics equips stakeholders to navigate an economy increasingly shaped by a handful of ultra‑wealthy actors.