The agglomeration of Third Way politics and the technosphere is one of the more insidious developments of our time. It’s as close to a real-life Borg as we’ve yet seen outside the fictional universe of Star Trek. Its staying power is testimony to its influence. With the uptick in Elon Musk–bro conservatism and the fractiousness of our political moment, it may appear anachronistic. Yet outside the dark, seasteading precincts of the Peter Thiel–dominated sphere of Silicon Valley, much of the tech nexus remains the domain of Stepford-smiley, liberal techno-utopianism. But this should come as no surprise: the boilerplate progressivism of the professional-managerial class “left” that has come to dominate much of Western politics has roots in the technocratic promises of Silicon Valley.
The phenomenon isn’t the sole purview of any one program or enterprise. But some are banner representatives of the trend. In 2021, the public benefit corporation Findhelp had raised just under $50 million, positioning itself as a leader in “building a better social safety net.” The company’s website notes that “the social safety net was created to ensure people’s basic needs are met.” But there’s a problem — one that, apparently, only a tech start-up can solve.
The problem it seeks to solve? “The collaboration between government programs, philanthropy, and community-based initiatives is clunky, frustrating, and inefficient.”
The solution it recommends? Well, naturally, it’s “software to support collaboration across the public and private sectors.” A subscription model, of course, with tiers to meet client needs. Findhelp licenses its service to organizations, offering four levels ranging from $5,400 a year for the basic…
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Auteur: David Moscrop
