THE BELIEF
Curtis Yarvin, a software engineer and blogger, is a key figure in the "Dark Enlightenment" movement. At its core, this ideology posits that modern society is fundamentally flawed and that the only way to create a more just and efficient world is to abandon the principles of democracy and individual rights. Yarvin argues that the Enlightenment values of equality, liberty, and fraternity have led to a chaotic and dysfunctional society, where the interests of the many are sacrificed for the benefit of the few. Instead, he advocates for a hierarchical, aristocratic system where a small group of wise and capable leaders make decisions for the benefit of all. This vision is often referred to as "neoreactionary" or "NRx," and it has gained a significant following among some tech entrepreneurs and intellectuals.
THE ORIGIN
The Dark Enlightenment movement has its roots in the work of philosopher and historian Arnold Gehlen, who argued that human societies are inherently hierarchical and that democracy is a flawed system that cannot provide the stability and order that people need. This idea was later developed by philosopher and sociologist Robert Nisbet, who wrote extensively on the importance of tradition and hierarchy in human societies. However, it was Curtis Yarvin who popularized the concept of neoreaction and brought it to a wider audience through his blog, Unqualified Reservations. Yarvin's ideas were influenced by his experiences as a software engineer and his observations of the tech industry, where he saw a meritocratic system that rewarded talent and hard work, but also created a culture of elitism and exclusivity.
THE IMPACT
The Dark Enlightenment movement has had a significant impact on the tech industry, where many of its adherents work. Companies like PayPal and Facebook have been influenced by neoreactionary ideas, and some of their leaders have openly expressed support for Yarvin's vision. For example, Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal and a prominent tech investor, has written about the importance of hierarchy and meritocracy in creating successful companies. Thiel's views on the need for a more authoritarian and elitist system have been echoed by other tech entrepreneurs, such as Elon Musk, who has spoken about the importance of a strong leader in creating a successful company. The Dark Enlightenment movement has also influenced the world of politics, where some politicians have adopted neoreactionary ideas as a way to appeal to disaffected voters. For example, the Brexit movement in the UK was influenced by neoreactionary ideas, and some of its leaders have openly expressed support for Yarvin's vision.
The Dark Enlightenment movement has also had a significant impact on the world of labor and culture. Neoreactionary ideas have been used to justify the exploitation of workers and the erosion of social safety nets. For example, some tech companies have used neoreactionary ideas to justify the use of gig economy workers, who are not entitled to the same benefits and protections as traditional employees. The movement has also been used to justify the suppression of dissent and the erosion of civil liberties. For example, some neoreactionary writers have argued that the free speech movement of the 1960s was a mistake, and that the suppression of dissent is necessary to create a more stable and orderly society.
THE PUSH BACK
The Dark Enlightenment movement has been widely criticized by scholars, activists, and politicians. Critics argue that neoreactionary ideas are a form of nostalgia for a bygone era, and that they ignore the many advances that have been made in human rights and social justice. They also argue that the movement's emphasis on hierarchy and elitism is a recipe for disaster, and that it ignores the many ways in which power and privilege are exercised in modern societies. For example, some critics have argued that the movement's emphasis on meritocracy ignores the many ways in which privilege and advantage are passed down from one generation to the next. Others have argued that the movement's rejection of democracy and individual rights is a threat to the very foundations of modern society.
THE QUESTION
Can a system that rewards talent and hard work, but also creates a culture of elitism and exclusivity, truly be said to be just and equitable?