From WASP Elites to AI Kings | Tanner Greer

In this episode I sit down with Tanner Greer, one of America's most insightful public intellectuals. We dive deep into his recent American Affairs article, "The Making of a Techno-Nationalist Elite" — a sharp review of Palantir CEO Alex Karp's book "The Technological Republic." Greer contrasts today's Silicon Valley tech elite with the Gilded Age industrialists and Eastern Establishment who led America's second industrial revolution - railroads, steel, electricity, modern corporations - and built a modernized nation. He argues that tech leaders must step up as a true governing class — with economic power, political coalitions, and cultural vision — to build a "techno-nationalist" America that serves the nation, not just consumer gadgets or globalist ideals.

We explore why Karp's call for Silicon Valley patriotism falls short, the lessons from history's successful elites (like building alliances beyond their own class), and what it would take for tech to become a patriotic, nation-building force in the age of AI, China rivalry, and hard tech resurgence. Whether you're in tech, politics, or just care about America's future, this is a must-listen on power, elites, and rebuilding national ambition.

CHAPTERS
(0:00 - Introduction)
(2:45 - Overview of Tanner's American Affairs article & Alex Karp's book)
(6:30 - Why Silicon Valley needs to embrace nation-building (and why many resist))
(12:10 - The Second Industrial Revolution: How America became the technological republic)
(18:40 - Pre-Civil War vs. post-Civil War elites — sectional to national vision)
(25:15 - Rise of the modern corporation, railroads, and managerial class)
(32:00 - The Eastern Establishment's generational mindset & political coalitions)
(40:20 - Critiquing Karp's The Technological Republic — scattered ideas, no real vision)
(48:50 - Silicon Valley's shift from libertarian/globalist to techno-nationalist awareness)
(55:30 - Comparing tech elites to antebellum planters — a wake-up call?)
(1:02:45 - Hard tech, defense startups, and re-industrialization potential)
(1:10:20 - Building a true governing elite: Economic base, politics, culture)
(1:18:00 - Advice for Silicon Valley: Heritage, responsibility, and connecting to America)

TANNER GREER LINKS:
🌐 The Making of a Techo-Nationalist Elite: https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2025/11/the-making-of-a-techno-nationalist-elite/
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/Scholars_Stage/
🌐 The Scholar's Stage: https://scholars-stage.org/

CONNECT & FOLLOW AARON RENN:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/aaron_renn
🌐 Newsletter - In-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/