ABSTRACT
Chapter 5 presents an argument that Technology, especially as presented through digital platforms, is shaping to fill the space vacated by the failures of its predecessors to construct a sympathetic absolutism. Further, through the technological subjection which these platforms have already imposed and by their easy access to such late technologies as large language models – by which they have developed a new form of governance – they have the potential to realise that occupation. The chapter argues that there are good reasons, acknowledged by leaders in the field, why we should be concerned about these absolutist developments, given the claims being made about the potential cognitive immersion in this evolving regime. An account is also provided of the technical, legal and ethical responses to this imminent threat, but these are considered incapable of addressing the challenge. It is argued that a response that addresses ontological algorithmic bias while acknowledging the determinative nature of the complex of dynamics would be a minimal appropriate response.
