ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Tech billionaires' bunker obsession reveals feudal mindset, says Rushkoff

opinion-review · 2026-06-16

Media theorist Douglas Rushkoff argues that tech billionaires' fascination with doomsday bunkers and secluded islands reflects a feudal mindset. In an interview, he states that for these billionaires, a feudal palace is the ultimate proof of having 'won' while others suffer. Rather than preparing for a life in paradise, they are obsessed with 'the event'—the impending catastrophe. Rushkoff attempts to explain why this apocalyptic thinking dominates among the ultra-wealthy in tech.

Key facts

  • Tech billionaires are obsessed with doomsday bunkers and secluded islands.
  • Douglas Rushkoff is a media theorist.
  • Rushkoff compares their mindset to feudalism.
  • He says a feudal palace is proof of winning for them.
  • They prepare for 'the event'—an impending catastrophe.
  • Rushkoff tries to explain this apocalyptic thinking.
  • The interview was published in NZZ.
  • The article is in German.

Entities

Artists

  • Douglas Rushkoff

Institutions

  • NZZ

Sources