Paulina Borsook’s “Cyberselfish” Resurfaces After 25 Years

A prophetic critique of Silicon Valley’s libertarian fever finds new admirers

Cyberselfish, the 1999 essay by cultural critic Paulina Borsook, warned that the tech industry’s embrace of radical libertarianism would shape the digital age in troubling ways. Four decades later, the piece is experiencing a renaissance, resonating with a generation that has witnessed the very futures Borsook imagined.

In her original manifesto, Borsook argued that the silicon‑driven myth of limitless freedom was less a celebration of innovation and more a cover for an emerging power structure that prized individual gain over collective responsibility. She warned that this mindset would fuel a wave of surveillance, data commodification, and a widening gap between the tech elite and ordinary users.

Today, as debates over privacy, algorithmic bias, and the social impact of artificial intelligence dominate headlines, readers are turning back to Cyberselfish for its uncanny foresight. Tech journalists, academic scholars, and even some former Silicon Valley insiders cite the essay as a “must‑read” for anyone trying to understand the ideological roots of current controversies.

“Borsook captured a mood that was invisible at the time,” says Dr. Lena Ortiz, professor of media studies at Stanford University. “Her critique of libertarian techno‑optimism anticipated the very questions we’re wrestling with now—data ownership, algorithmic accountability, and the erosion of public discourse.”

Social media platforms have amplified the resurgence, with hashtags like #CyberselfishRevival and #Borsook2024 trending during tech‑policy conferences. Several tech‑focused podcasts have dedicated entire episodes to dissecting the essay, often pairing it with contemporary case studies such as the fallout from major data breaches and the rise of “big tech” antitrust investigations.

While the piece was once dismissed as overly pessimistic, its renewed relevance underscores a growing skepticism toward the myth of technology as an inherently emancipatory force. As Borsook wrote, “The promise of freedom can become a mask for control,” a sentiment that feels increasingly prescient in an era where digital platforms wield unprecedented influence over everyday life.

For those curious about the origins of today’s tech debates, revisiting Cyberselfish offers a compelling lens through which to view the ongoing clash between libertarian ideals and the collective responsibilities of a connected society.