The unassailable power of Big Tech is the subject of economist and professor Rob Larson’s latest book, Bit Tyrants: The Political Economy of Silicon Valley (Haymarket, 2020), which pulls the curtain back on the “playful, cutesy nerd façade” of the world’s largest tech firms, exposing how, in our “feverish worship of innovation… technology companies have largely taken over the economy, hoarded our data, played dirty to crush challengers, and utterly reshaped our lives to their advantage.”

Larson, who also writes for Jacobin, Dollars & Sense, and Current Affairs, serves up a withering critique of Big Tech’s deep encroachment into every area of the economy—and our lives—showing how, in their efforts to out-compete and destroy one another, these companies behave more like bullying monopolists than the whimsical, philanthropic enterprises they are often portrayed to be.

In this wide-ranging interview, Canadian Dimension spoke with Larson to discuss the anticompetitive practices of the world’s biggest tech corporations, renewed pressure to rein them in, and his vision for a transparent, publicly-controlled and socialized internet.

Read the full interview at canadiandimension.com

Taking a byte out of Big Tech with economist Rob Larson

One of the countries in which Leo took a passionate interest, and in which he exercised considerable influence among leftists, was Greece. Although Leo was profoundly opposed to the demands of Greece’s creditors, he expressed sympathy to the conference participants for the plight of Syriza’s leadership and offered insights on how Syriza might make the best of an exceedingly difficult dilemma. 

Canadian Dimension's Dimitri Lascaris discussed Leo’s long-standing affection for Greece and his close ties to Greek leftists with Michael Spourdalakis Michael Spourdalakis is a professor of political sociology and the Director at the Laboratory of Political Communication and Media Information at the University of Athens. Michael studied under Leo in Canada. Leo and Michael were long-time friends and colleagues until Leo’s passing late last year.

Michael Spourdalakis on Leo Panitch, Syriza, and challenges for the Greek Left

Canadian Dimension is the longest-standing voice of the left in Canada. For more than half a century, CD has provided a forum for lively and radical debate where red meets green, socialists take on social democrats, Indigenous voices are heard, activists report from every corner of the country, and the latest books and films are critically reviewed. Our dedicated and longstanding readership comprises activists, organizers, academics, economists, workers, trade unionists, feminists, environmentalists, Indigenous peoples, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

Canadian Dimension

Popular tracks