In this episode of New Ideal Live, Elan Journo and Keith Lockitch analyze a recent Vox article, “These are the trade-offs we make when we depend on billionaires to save us.” The article warns that by involving themselves in charity work during the pandemic crisis, billionaires will only cement the power they wield over our lives.

Unpacking that argument, Journo and Lockitch discussed the article’s underlying political and moral assumptions, particularly its views on “power” and on how to evaluate tech billionaires. They contrast these views with Ayn Rand’s perspective on the difference between political and economic power and the nature and impact of the moral code of altruism.  

An introductory overview article is available.