Paulina Borsook’s 2000 book Cyberselfish, which examines libertarian ideology and opposition to government regulation within Silicon Valley, has returned to print after more than two decades. Published by Tin House on September 15, 2026, the new edition follows renewed interest in Borsook’s criticism of the technology industry’s business culture and political attitudes.
The 336-page edition, priced at $18, includes new introductions by Borsook and Gil Durán, author of The Nerd Reich. The original text remains unchanged, reflecting Borsook’s preference to preserve her observations of Silicon Valley during the 1990s.
Borsook Revisits Silicon Valley’s Libertarian Culture
Borsook began observing technology companies in the San Francisco Bay Area during the 1980s and noticed increasingly libertarian attitudes among industry figures in the early 1990s. She questioned their opposition to regulation, arguing that government-funded research and public infrastructure had contributed substantially to the industry’s development.
In an interview with TechCrunch, Borsook described her book as an examination of an unfamiliar professional culture rather than a conventional political argument. She distinguished between socially conservative technology leaders, whom she called Gilders, and culturally liberal figures known as Ravers, arguing that both groups maintained a strong emphasis on individual freedom.
Borsook traced changes in Silicon Valley’s business culture to Netscape’s initial public offering in 1995, which she believes accelerated the influence of financial investors. She also criticized companies such as Airbnb and Uber for challenging regulation, describing their approaches as extensions of attitudes established during the dot-com era.
Renewed Interest Brings Book Back Into Print
Borsook said interest in Cyberselfish began increasing approximately 18 months before its republication, when used copies became more expensive and academics contacted her about her research. Social media discussions and renewed media attention contributed to demand for the previously out-of-print book.
Durán publicly supported its republication in 2025, arguing that Borsook’s earlier observations remained relevant to contemporary technology companies. Borsook subsequently worked with Tin House to release the new edition without revising its original chapters.
Author Questions AI Investment and Corporate Leadership
Borsook also criticized the artificial intelligence industry, arguing that its resistance to regulation resembles attitudes she documented decades earlier. She described current AI investment as a speculative financial arrangement and questioned whether companies prioritize technological usefulness or shareholder returns.
She expressed concern about limited career options for younger technology professionals who disagree with industry leadership. Borsook suggested that smaller independent companies and alternative technology projects could provide opportunities, although she acknowledged uncertainty about their ability to attract investment.
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