The Mindset

The Mindset is the name that Rushkoff gives the worldview held by the technocratic elite. The Mindset is a system of thought that negates the human soul, promotes progress and growth above all else, and prioritizes the notion that a wealthy chosen few will be able to earn enough money to transcend all societal ills. Throughout the text, Rushkoff examines the origin, dangers, and repercussions of this worldview from a variety of angles.

Dumbwaiter Effect

The dumbwaiter effect is a concept Rushkoff describes in Chapter 4. He argues that many corporate enterprises and technologies operate much like Thomas Jefferson's dumbwaiter invention. The dumbwaiter was made so that the wealthy elite could get their food without having to witness the human suffering of the enslaved peoples who made it for them. The same is true of a company like Amazon. Amazon allows the user to buy and receive...