Historian Jill Lepore, a Pulitzer honoree, offers a theory about why technology companies frequently rely on grand, elevated language when describing their products — sometimes framing them as though they were establishing a new form of government. In an interview tied to her forthcoming book, The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State, Lepore points to examples such as Twitter’s former description as a “town hall in your pocket” and Anthropic’s Claude constitution. According to the piece, her view does not present Silicon Valley in a favorable light.
Why it matters
The rhetoric technology leaders use to characterize their products can shape public expectations and perceptions of their role in society. Lepore’s framing raises questions about how these companies position themselves relative to governance and civic institutions.
Who should care
Readers following the cultural and political dimensions of the technology industry, as well as those interested in how AI and platform companies communicate about their products, may find Lepore’s perspective relevant.