The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Lepore builds a complex argument connecting centuries of history, philosophy, and literature to our current technological moment. Which part of her argument resonated most strongly with you, and what aspects, if any, did you find less convincing or harder to accept?

2. How did Lepore’s historical deep dive into the tech industry compare to other works you may have read on the topic, such as Shoshana Zuboff’s The Age of Surveillance Capitalism? Did framing today’s issues through the lens of the 1930s Technocracy movement change your perspective on the ambitions Lepore associates with current-day Silicon Valley?

3. What did you find more surprising, and why: the connection Lepore draws between Elon Musk and the Technocracy movement through his grandfather, or the argument that the fear of a robot apocalypse reflects dread over humanity’s destruction of the natural world?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Have you ever had an experience with AI or another technology that seemed almost human in an unsettling way or fell into the “uncanny valley”? What happened, and how does your experience connect with the book’s exploration of the line between the natural and the artificial?

2. The book discusses “filter bubbles” and the ways social media can distort perceptions of political reality. Have you noticed this affecting your own online interactions or your understanding of public opinion? In what ways?

3. Lepore argues that many tech owners and executives view dystopian science fiction as an instruction manual. Before reading this book, what was your personal vision for a future with advanced AI, and how has Lepore’s analysis influenced or challenged that vision?

4. How do you feel about the philosophy of “longtermism,” which gives significant moral weight to the well-being of people in the distant future? How does this idea challenge or align with your own sense of moral or social responsibility?

5. Where do you most feel the influence of algorithms in your daily life? Think about your news feeds, entertainment recommendations, or even professional opportunities. How does it feel to interact with these systems?

6. E. M. Forster’s story “The Machine Stops” imagines a future where humanity has lost its direct connection to the natural world. How do you see modern technology either enhancing or diminishing your own relationship with nature?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Lepore draws parallels between the 1930s Technocracy movement and the techno-libertarian ethos of modern Silicon Valley. Where, if anywhere, do you see the core tenets of Technocracy, such as a belief in rule by experts and opposition to democratic government, appearing in current-day political or corporate discourse?

2. What are the implications of viewing the “datafication” of people in relation to Descartes’s concept of the bête-machine? How does this historical perspective change the way you think about current debates over data privacy and algorithmic bias?

3. The book examines instances in which government policies have aligned with the priorities of the tech industry, for instance, proposals to relax environmental regulations to accelerate AI development. What questions does this raise about the current balance of power between governments and major tech corporations?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How does Lepore’s role as narrator shape the reading experience? Did you find her method of weaving together historical evidence, literary criticism, and personal reflection effective in developing her argument about the Artificial State?

2. Hannah Arendt’s philosophy is an important influence on the book. How does Arendt’s concern that automation could render human beings “superfluous” shape Lepore’s examination of technology and human agency?

3. What is the function of the “Torment Nexus” concept within Lepore’s argument? What does it contribute to her discussion of Silicon Valley’s relationship with science fiction?

4. Lepore contrasts the U.S., legalistic approach to robots found in Isaac Asimov’s work with animistic perspectives she discusses in relation to Japanese creations like Astro Boy. What is the significance of this cultural comparison within the book’s discussion of humans, machines, and the natural world?

5. How do the early 20th-century dystopian visions in works like Karel Čapek’s R.U.R. and E. M. Forster’s “The Machine Stops” compare to modern-day cautionary tales you might know, such as those in the streaming series Black Mirror? Have our fundamental fears about technology changed over time?

6. The “People Machine” developed by the Simulmatics Corporation is an early example of computational approaches to politics discussed in the book. Why do you think Lepore includes this episode in her history of the Artificial State?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. The book ends by considering how the Artificial State might be dismantled through democratic tools. If you were to design a public awareness campaign inspired by Lepore’s work, which of her arguments would you emphasize, and how would you tailor your message to connect with a broad audience?

2. If you were to write a short story set in the utopian “Computopia” that Yoneji Masuda envisioned, where technology fosters participatory democracy and harmony with nature, what would daily life look like, and what kind of conflict or plot might you create?

3. Imagine you are adding a new chapter to this book focused on the next decade. What current technological development or political trend would you explore in relation to the future of the Artificial State?