Cognitive imperialism is the enclosure of humanity's collective intelligence inside rent-seeking foundation models owned by a few corporations. Those corporations then charge the very societies whose output built the models. It isn't a metaphor.
How the word moved
I named it in April 2026, in the fifth part of the AI Polyconflict series. In May 2026 I restated it and wondered aloud whether cognitive colonialism would be the better name. Macaulay's Minute, updated for the age of the model.
In my words
"Cognitive imperialism is not a metaphor."
from Cognitive Sovereignty, 7 May 2026
Related
- Inherited from Thomas Macaulay - I read it as his Minute, updated.
- Contradicts Cognitive Sovereignty - cognitive imperialism is its violation.
- Related Inference Capital - its economic engine.
- Related Great Enclosure - the form it takes.
- Related Comprador Class - its local agents.
- Related Prediction Stack - its main vehicle.