‘Cyberselfish’ returns with new edition critiquing Silicon Valley libertarianism

Paulina Borsook's book 'Cyberselfish,' originally published in 2000, is being reissued by Tin House with a new introduction, TechCrunch reported. The book critiques the techno-libertarian mindset prevalent in Silicon Valley, describing it as a 'basket of beliefs' that is strongly anti-regulation despite the tech sector's significant government benefits.

Borsook told TechCrunch that this libertarian attitude persisted even after the dot-com crash and continued to spread unchecked within the tech industry. She characterizes this worldview as outdated but influential, having shaped Silicon Valley culture for decades.

After the initial release of 'Cyberselfish,' Borsook noted a lack of interest in her work for many years. However, last year she observed a resurgence of attention, with rising prices for used copies and increased social media discussions highlighting the book's importance.

This renewed interest led to inquiries from European academics and more press coverage, culminating in the decision to publish a new edition. The reissue aims to provide readers with a travelogue of Borsook's exploration of the libertarian influence on technology and society.