The Premise: Technology gives predators the edge
In a recent discussion on La Matinale, Giuliano da Empoli argues that the modern world runs on an “aggression premium”. Those who break the rules can operate at a fraction of the cost of their targets, gaining the upper hand in geopolitics and public life. On battlefields, small, inexpensive drones—sometimes priced around $500—can disrupt or destroy equipment that cost tens of millions to produce. In cyberspace, attacks and campaigns of misinformation can be launched with minimal expense, yet defenses remain stubbornly challenging to deploy. This asymmetry signals a shift in who holds the initiative and how power is exercised in the age of technology.
Low-cost, high-impact aggression
Da Empoli emphasizes that cheap hardware and inexpensive online campaigns magnify the impact of aggressors. The political and security consequences extend beyond military loss, seeping into the information ecosystem where disinformation can spread quickly and distort public policy debates. As aggression costs collapse, the ability to mount an effective counterforce often lags behind, leaving democracies more vulnerable to disruption than ever before.
The hypnotized society and the speed of shock
The writer describes a society he sees as “hypnotized” by a relentless flow of shocking information. People struggle to process events in real time, while the news cycle renews itself with alarming speed. This environment fosters leaders who can promise dramatic breakthroughs or miraculous turns of events, even when concrete results are limited. Take the Trump example—da Empoli notes how a stance can be announced one day and reversed the next with little political cost, trapping supporters in a system that rewards disruption over steady, predictable policy outcomes.
From rules to a ‘Somalia numérique’
Central to his argument is the notion that the digital transition has moved society away from a regime of codified rules toward a “Somalia numérique”—a governance vacuum where laws are written by those who wield power most effectively, and where the rule of the strongest often prevails. In this landscape, symbolic acts of aggression can escalate into tangible, real-world consequences, and the traditional norms that stabilize political life begin to fray. The result is not just policy volatility but a deeper erosion of trust in institutions that once anchored public life.
Implications for liberal democracies and what we can do
Da Empoli warns that liberal democracies—and the systems that sustain public life—are endangered by the speed and scale of this shift. He calls for a clear sense of awareness and a strategic response that may require some political courage and painful compromises. Yet he insists that democracies possess the tools to resist these pressures: strengthen digital resilience, defend the integrity of information ecosystems, and uphold the rule of law even when confrontations with aggressive actors seem tempting to defer. The key is not merely reacting to crises but building robust institutions that can withstand rapid, disruptive challenges without surrendering core democratic values.
A call to awaken and act
The interview concludes with a pragmatic warning: do not underestimate the force of the digital predator. Recognizing this dynamic is the first step toward a more deliberate, resilient response. By mobilizing civic resolve and pursuing smarter, bolder strategies—without compromising the principles that undergird liberal life—societies can push back against aggression that economy and speed have empowered. Da Empoli believes the means exist; what matters is collective will and disciplined action to safeguard democracy in a rapidly changing world.
