Dystopia Now

Episodes

• Altman Attack: What is Violence?May 7, 2026 · 40 minIn this week's episode, we explore a question no one has ever thought of before: "What is violence?" We unpack the recent Molotov cocktail attack on Sam Altman's home and how his own rhetoric about ( checks notes ), "killing every human on earth with AI", may be leading people who take him seriously to act in extreme ways. We explore Altman's vision for the future and the violence inherent within it. Further Reading "The Merge" essay by Sam Altman, December 2017: https://blog.samaltman.com/the-merge https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/04/13/sam-altman-may-control-our-future-can-he-be-trusted https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/18/sam-altman-house-attack-ai https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/21/opinion/sam-altman-attack-ai-silicon-valley.html https://www.wired.com/story/sam-altman-home-attack-openai-san-franisco-office-threat/PlayPlay Altman Attack: What is Violence?
• From Fordism to Muskism with Quinn Slobodian and Ben TarnoffApr 30, 2026 · 53 minSubscribe to our Patreon for the FULL episode and more bonus content at patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow ! Quinn Slobodian, historian of neoliberalism, and Ben Tarnoff, internet and technology writer, join us to unpack how Musk's fears and fantasies are shaping our world. Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed is available now in the United States ( Harper ) and UK ( Penguin ). Quinn Slobodian is professor of international history at Boston University, and the author or editor of seven books translated into ten languages including, Hayek's Bastards: Race (winner of the NBCC award for criticism), Gold, IQ and the Capitalism of the Far Right, Crack-Up Capitalism: Market Radicals and the Dream of a World without Democracy, and Globalists: The End of Empire and the Birth of Neoliberalism. In 2024, the Prospect Magazine (UK) named him one of the World's 25 Top Thinkers. Ben Tarnoff is a writer and technologist based in Massachusetts and is the author of Internet for the People and the co-author of Voices from the Valley: Tech Workers Talk About What They Do—And How They Do It. He is a frequent contributor to the New York Review of Books, and has also written for the New York Times, The New Yorker, and the New Republic, among other publications.PlayPlay From Fordism to Muskism with Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff
• The AI Con with Alex Hanna and Emily BenderApr 23, 2026 · 48 minProf. Emily M. Bender, linguist, and Dr. Alex Hanna, sociologist join us to discuss their 2025 book The AI Con and how Big Tech spun marketing around "stochastic parrots". Find lots more from Emily and Alex on their podcast Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 from the Distributed AI Research Institute! Books Mentioned Emily Bender & Alex Hanna, The AI Con Rua M. Williams, Disabling Intelligences: Legacies of Eugenics and How We are Wrong about AI Further Reading Bender, et. al, "On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots: Can Language Models Be Too Big?", https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3442188.3445922PlayPlay The AI Con with Alex Hanna and Emily Bender
• Big Tech is Watching You with Taylor LorenzApr 4, 2026 · 1 hr 5 minJournalist Taylor Lorenz joins us to discuss Section 230, how Big Tech is already tracking everything from eye movements to finger presses, the ongoing erosion of online privacy through right-wing tech policy and identity verification. Find Taylor on YouTube @TaylorLorenz and her publication UserMag on Substack. Further Reading Taylor Lorenz, Usermag, The Media Lied About the Social Media Addiction Trial Taylor Lorenz, The Biggest Lies About Section 230 Mick Masnick, TechDirt, Everyone Cheering The Social Media Addiction Verdicts Against Meta Should Understand What They're Actually Cheering For KWCH, AI-powered cameras on Wichita school buses raise privacy concerns for one driver WBAL, 'Just holding a Doritos bag': Student handcuffed after AI system mistook bag of chips for weaponPlayPlay Big Tech is Watching You with Taylor Lorenz
• Understanding the U.S. Blockade on Cuba with David Ramírez ÁlvarezMar 25, 2026 · 55 minDavid Ramírez Álvarez, secretary at the embassy of Cuba in the US, joins us to understand the escalating blockade on Cuba.PlayPlay Understanding the U.S. Blockade on Cuba with David Ramírez Álvarez
• The Ethics of Human Extinction Part 1Mar 20, 2026 · 56 minFind Part 2 coming soon on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow This week we dive into Emile's area of expertise, the ethics of human extinction and how these ethics are shaping Silicon Valley. Further Reading https://www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/making-sense-of-the-human-extinction Books Mentioned The Last Man, Mary Shelley Human Extinction: A History of the Science and Ethics of Annihilation , Émile TorresPlayPlay The Ethics of Human Extinction Part 1
• Data Centers in My Backyard with Dylan Gyauch-LewisMar 5, 2026 · 1 hr 3 minSupport the show at https://patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow Researcher and journalist Dylan Gyauch-Lewis joins us this week to discuss the views behind ongoing data center buildout for AI despite community resistance. Find Dylan's work at the American Prospect and https://therevolvingdoorproject.org Further Reading Dylan Gyauch-Lewis for The American Prospect: More AI Means More Cancer Dylan Gyauch-Lewis for The Revolving Door Project: Support for Data Centers in Shor SupplyPlayPlay Data Centers in My Backyard with Dylan Gyauch-Lewis
• Gilded Rage with Jacob SilvermanFeb 23, 2026 · 1 hr 10 minFind Jacob Silverman on Substack at https://substack.com/@ jacobsilverman or Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/ jacobsilverman.com Further Reading from Jacob * The Shady Financial Past of a Major Trump Crypto Investor: https://www.thenation.com/ article/society/andrei- grachev-dlw-labs-world- liberty-financial-trump/ * The President Took A $75 Million Bribe And We All Saw It: https://www.jacobsilverman. com/p/the-president-took-a-75- million-bribe Books Mentioned Gilded Rage, Jacob Silverman Easy Money, Ben McKenzie and Jacob Silverman Survival of the Richest, Douglas Rushkoff More Everything Forever, Adam Becker The Technological Republic, Alex KarpPlayPlay Gilded Rage with Jacob Silverman
• The UnabomberFeb 5, 2026 · 1 hr 14 minThis week, we discussed the biography of the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski and his brand of tech doomerism. Further Reading Émile's article: https://www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/eliezer-yudkowsky-and-the-unabomberPlayPlay The Unabomber
• Four Companies, Under AGIJan 26, 2026 · 59 minWhile profit motivates all companies under capitalism, why are the wealthiest tech companies so focused on AGI? This week, we dive into the relationships, ideologies, and claims behind the four biggest players claiming to build artificial general intelligence: Google DeepMind, OpenAI (partly owned by Microsoft), Anthropic, and Elon Musk's xAI. Further Reading https://www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/tescrealism-and-the-race-to-build Book mentioned The AI Con - Emily Bender & Alex HannaPlayPlay Four Companies, Under AGI
• LARPing into Authoritarianism with Dr. Alexander ThomasJan 17, 2026 · 1 hrWe're joined again by Dr. Alexander Thomas, author of The Politics and Ethics of Transhumanism , to discuss current events and how the Extropians' libertarian transhumanist fantasies connect to today's efforts to meme right-wing authoritarianism into reality. Books Mentioned Hayek's Bastards by Quinn Slobodian The Politics and Ethics of Transhumanism by Alexander Thomas ( open access )PlayPlay LARPing into Authoritarianism with Dr. Alexander Thomas
• How Tech Bros are Innovating ImperialismJan 10, 2026 · 56 minWelcome to 2026! This week, we took a look at imperialism and how the rotating cast of billionaires discussed on the show are more involved than meets the eye. FURTHER READING: Émile's article "Are You Suffering from Crisis Fatigue?": https://www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/are-you-suffering-from-crisis-fatigue Gil Duran's article on the Network State and Venezuela (The Nerd Reich): https://www.thenerdreich.com/network-state-comes-for-venezuela/ Prospera: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/28/magazine/prospera-honduras-crypto.html Honduras: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/04/trump-venezuela-maduro-pardon-honduras.html Greenland: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greenland-freedom-city-rich-donors-push-trump-tech-hub-up-north-2025-04-10/ AND https://www.insidehook.com/internet/peter-thiel-praxis-next-great-city-greenland AND https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/world/europe/trump-greenland-denmark-us-defense-pact.html Pardons: https://www.washingtonpost.com/ripple/2025/12/10/trumps-clemency-machine-deserves-more-right-wing-scrutiny/ AND https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/trump-pro-crypto-or-pro-crimePlayPlay How Tech Bros are Innovating Imperialism
• The Distant Future: 2025 Expectations versus RealityDec 28, 2025 · 1 hr 20 minIs AGI right around the corner, again? How's the AI bubble doing? What happened to climate activism? We're closing out the year with a round up of the many predictions made about technology by 2025 and share some of our own guesses. Support the show on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow Further Reading Émile's rundown of 2025 predictions: https://www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/what-people-thought-would-happen NYT on the AI bubble: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/business/the-ai-boom-economy.html Book mentioned: The Discovery of the Future - H.G. WellsPlayPlay The Distant Future: 2025 Expectations versus Reality
• Epstein Part 2: Transhumanism & Eugenics with Keira HavensDec 12, 2025 · 1 hr 1 minThis week, we're joined by Keira Havens, director of Citizens' Impeachment and former scientist to discuss Jeffery Epstein's transhumanist, eugenicist beliefs, their roots in hierarchy, and his influence in funding scientific research. Further reading: TBAPlayPlay Epstein Part 2: Transhumanism & Eugenics with Keira Havens
• Epstein Part 1: Chomsky Struggle SessionDec 4, 2025 · 55 minIn a 2-part series on Jeffery Epstein, we'll explore Epstein's ties to the TESCREAL ideologies. This week though, we're talking about his ties to one of our intellectual heroes who really let us down. Further reading: Émile's article "Noam Chomsky is a Scumbag": https://www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/noam-chomsky-is-a-scumbag Jeffrey Epstein Met With Harvard Professor Martin Nowak and Noam Chomsky in 2015 in Harvard Office: https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2023/5/3/epstein-nowak-chomsky-meeting-2015/ Lawrence Krauss and Epstein: https://slate.com/technology/2019/08/jeffrey-epstein-science-eugenics-sexual-abuse-researchers.htmlPlayPlay Epstein Part 1: Chomsky Struggle Session
• Escaping Effective AltruismNov 14, 2025 · 1 hr 4 minSupport the show on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/dystopianow How did Émile get involved in Effective Altruism and what was it like beginning to turn away? In this week's episode, we touch on Palantir CEO Alex Karp's political journey, a review of longtermism, and what first sounded the alarm bells on EA for Émile. Further reading: Emile's article "Against longtermism": https://aeon.co/essays/why-longtermism-is-the-worlds-most-dangerous-secular-credo Karp's swordsmanship: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/alex-karp-wielding-a-swordPlayPlay Escaping Effective Altruism
• Algospeak, Vibes, and Post-Rats with Adam Aleksic (Etymology Nerd)Nov 7, 2025 · 50 minThis week, we're joined by Adam Aleksic, also known as @etymologynerd to discuss his new book Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language . We talk everything from 67, slop, rationalists versus post-rationalists, teleology, vibes, and Silicon Valley slang. Further Reading Buy Adam's book Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language at your local book store or online: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776856/algospeak-by-adam-aleksic/ Find Adam Aleksic @etymologynerd on Instagram and TikTok, and check out his Substack at https://etymology.substack.com/ . More on slop: https://etymology.substack.com/p/notes-on-slop Adam's website: etymologynerd.com Book recommendation : Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed (1998) by James C. ScottPlayPlay Algospeak, Vibes, and Post-Rats with Adam Aleksic (Etymology Nerd)
• Fan Fic at the End of the WorldNov 1, 2025 · 1 hrThis week, we dive into the horrifying world of Eliezer Yudkowsky, AI Doomer, Rationalist, and Harry Potter fan fiction author in light of his recently published NYT bestseller with Nate Soares, "If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies." Further reading: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-eliezer-yudkowsky.html https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/461680/if-anyone-builds-it-yudkowsky-soares-ai-risk https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/30/ai-debate-culture-clash-dc-silicon-valley-00133323 https://www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/eliezer-yudkowskys-long-history-ofPlayPlay Fan Fic at the End of the World
• How Tech Billionaires Bought the Narrative with Eoin HigginsOct 23, 2025 · 51 minIn this episode, we talked to journalist Eoin Higgins about his book "Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voices on the Left" which examines how Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, and Elon Musk have used their wealth to shape media narratives, especially through journalists Glenn Greenwald and Matt Taibbi. Eoin Higgins: https://x.com/eoinhiggins_?lang=en Eoin's Substack: https://eoinhiggins.substack.com/ Eoin's book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/eoin-higgins/owned/9781645030461/ Become a supporter of the show on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNowPlayPlay How Tech Billionaires Bought the Narrative with Eoin Higgins
• Is Saving Shrimps Effective Altruism? w/ Guest Comedian Josh GondelmanOct 17, 2025 · 1 hr 8 minIn this episode, we explore the Shrimp Welfare Project, featured on the Daily Show several months ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNbIKtGMoaA&t. Comedian Josh Gondelman -- a former writer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver -- joins us for laughs and some serious reflection on which types of beings should be included within our circles of moral concern. Info on the Shrimp Welfare Project can be found here: https://www.shrimpwelfareproject.org/ A critique of Effective Altruism (written by Émile Torres) is here: https://www.truthdig.com/articles/effective-altruism-is-a-welter-of-fraud-lies-exploitation-and-eugenic-fantasies/ Find Josh's special Positive Reinforcement on YouTube and his newsletter at https://www.thatsmarvelousnewsletter.com/.PlayPlay Is Saving Shrimps Effective Altruism? w/ Guest Comedian Josh Gondelman
• Peter Thiel's Antichrist LecturesOct 4, 2025 · 52 minTo become a supporter, go here: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow This week we explored Peter Thiel's Antichrist Lectures. Other than trying to prove he's not the Antichrist, what is this guy up to? Newsletter piece on the topic, titled "The Political Power of Eschatological Thinking: This Is Why Peter Thiel Is Talking About the Antichrist": https://www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/the-political-power-of-eschatological-82b If people want to learn more about the "dispensationalist" view of the end of the world, see chapter 12 of Emile's book The End : https://c8df8822-f112-4676-8332-ad89713358e3.filesusr.com/ugd/d9aaad_c1777d7f673d4926a275be8ad78f16f2.pdf Gil Duran on Thiel's Antichrist obsession: https://newrepublic.com/article/200471/peter-thiel-obsession-antichrist-religion SF Chronicle article on protests outside the Thiel talks: https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/peter-thiel-antichrist-lecture-sparks-s-f-21049962.phpPlayPlay Peter Thiel's Antichrist Lectures
• Bryan Johnson, MortalSep 15, 2025 · 1 hr 2 minhttps://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow This week, we explored the anti-aging obsession of Bryan Johnson. From erection measuring to NDA's, join us for a weird ride. Futher reading: How Bryan Johnson, Who Wants to Live Forever, Sought Control via Confidentiality Agreements – The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/technology/bryan-johnson-nda-employees.html @mathrubhumi+3WIRED+3mint+3 Bryan Johnson and Matt Bruenig Are Fighting Over NDAs – New York Magazine https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/bryan-johnson-matt-bruenig-nda-fight.html New York Magazine Bryan Johnson Is Going to Die – WIRED https://www.wired.com/story/big-interview-bryan-johnson/ How to Live Forever and Get Rich Doing It — The New Yorker https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/08/11/how-to-live-forever-and-get-rich-doing-it The New Yorker Bryan Johnson Before and After: How Exec Became Antiaging-Obsessed — Business Insider https://www.businessinsider.com/bryan-johnson-before-and-after-anti-aging-longevity-supplements-2023-8 Business Insider Just being well is not enough at Bryan Johnson's Don't Die Summit — The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/25/just-being-well-is-not-enough-bryan-johnsons-dont-die-summit/PlayPlay Bryan Johnson, Mortal
• The Astroturf Agenda with Dean PrestonSep 5, 2025 · 46 minTo help us keep the show going become a subscriber here: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about the tech billionaire-backed astroturf campaigns that flooded his district with money and disinformation. We dig into how tech barons are reshaping local politics through alleged "grassroots" groups, what it means for democracy when dark money drives housing and policing policy, and how Preston sees the fight for tenants' rights and progressive politics moving forward. The Guardian — Inside tech billionaires' push to reshape San Francisco politics: "a hostile takeover" (Feb 12, 2024): www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/12/san-francisco-tech-billionaires-political-influence The "moderate" political takeover of San Francisco https://newrepublic.com/article/189303/san-francisco-moderate-politics-millionaire-tech-donors The Phoenix Project — How Dean Preston Lost (Dec 5, 2024): www.phoenixprojectnow.com/phoenix-review/blog/how-dean-preston-lost KQED — In San Francisco's Local Elections, It's Big Money Against Progressive Incumbents (Nov 4, 2024): www.kqed.org/news/12012416/san-franciscos-elections-big-money-against-progressive-incumbents SFGATE — "'Fake news' site publishes more false stories about San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston" (Oct 18, 2023): www.sfgate.com/politics/article/bnn-posts-more-false-stories-about-dean-preston-18429261.php Dean's Housing Record https://www.deanshousingrecord.com/PlayPlay The Astroturf Agenda with Dean Preston
• My BF is AIAug 29, 2025 · 47 minTo become a sponsor and get an extra episode each week, visit us at https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow, This week, we talked about what AI is doing to our emotions and our relationships. From AI Psychosis to AI Boyfriends, AI is breaking our brains and our hearts. Further reading: https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2025/aug/28/ai-psychosis-could-chatbots-fuel-delusional-thinking-podcast https://futurism.com/paper-ai-psychosis-schizophrenia https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/08/19/ai-psychosis-chatgpt-explained-mental-health/ https://www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/why-you-should-never-use-ai-under https://www.wheresyoured.at/the-enshittification-of-generative-ai/ https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/technology/chatgpt-openai-suicide.html https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/ai-spiritual-delusions-destroying-human-relationships-1235330175/ https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/ai-chatbot-god-religion-answers-1235347023/ https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/ai-chatbots-concerns-kendra-tiktok-saga-rcna224185 https://www.reddit.com/r/MyBoyfriendIsAI/PlayPlay My BF is AI
• Patreon Preview: The Vox Writer w/ Eugenics Fanfic (Effective Altruism in Media)Aug 28, 2025 · 1 minTo hear the rest of the episode and become a supporter visit us on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow We are entirely listener supported and we appreciate your contributions so much! This week, we were joined by Rachel Adjogah, of the brilliant Polemics.md blog. discussed The Argument, a new publication funded in part by Open Philanthropy. We also discussed Vox's Future Perfect, and the general problems of having EA/Rationalist aligned reporters cover...themselves.PlayPlay Patreon Preview: The Vox Writer w/ Eugenics Fanfic (Effective Altruism in Media)
• UNLOCKED: Zizians Part 1- A Cult Within a CultAug 21, 2025 · 48 minThis week we are off, so thought I'd unlock one of our Patreon eps from the series we did about the Zizians. We discuss the origins of the Zizian ideology in the Rationalism community, MIRI, CFAR, Roko's Basilisk and Doom Circles. To hear parts 2 and 3 become a subscriber on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow We'll be back on our regular schedule next week.PlayPlay UNLOCKED: Zizians Part 1- A Cult Within a Cult
• PATREON PREVIEW: Listener Q and AAug 19, 2025 · 12 minThis week we answered questions from our Patreon supporters about the Bay Area cyberdelic scene, Church of the Subgenius, the persistence of eugenics, anarcho-primitivism, TESCREAL boardgames and what our personal tech (or tech free?) utopias would be. To hear the rest of the episode become a sponsor at https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow . We use your $ to edit the podcast. Further reading: https://www.thetonearm.com/rhymes-against-reality-with-r-u-sirius-and-his-musical-mindfuckery-2/ https://www.wired.com/2015/07/tech-time-warp-week-wired-eccentric-mondo-2000/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_SubGenius https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/opinion/genetics-children-noor-siddiqui.html https://www.vice.com/en/article/john-zerzan-wants-us-to-give-up-all-of-our-technology/ Organizations Mentioned: https://www.stopai.info/ https://www.stopspying.org/ https://www.eff.org/ https://www.dsausa.org/ https://dair.ai/ Board game: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/257732/pax-transhumanityPlayPlay PATREON PREVIEW: Listener Q and A
• "These F*cking People" with Adam BeckerAug 17, 2025 · 56 minBecome a supporter at https://www.patreon.com/DystopiaNow This week we interviewed astrophysicist and science journalist Adam Becker, author of More Everything Forever: AI Overlords, Space Empires, and Silicon Valley's Crusade to Control the Fate of Humanity . Becker contends that Silicon Valley's grandiose fantasies cloak a hunger for control, often rooted in pseudoscience and elitism rather than real science or ethics Adam cuts through the bullshit of Mars colonization, sentient AI and digital immortality to bring us all back down to earth. Where we live. And are going to stay forever. Futher Reading: More Everything Forever: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/adam-becker/more-everything-forever/9781541619593/PlayPlay "These F*cking People" with Adam Becker
• PATREON PREVIEW: The ExtropiansAug 11, 2025 · 5 minTo hear the full ep sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow In the 1990s, at the height of the Grunge Era, a small but ambitious group calling themselves the Extropians dreamed of transcending the limits of the human body and mind, through technology, radical life extension, and an unapologetically libertarian vision of the future. In this episode, we trace their journey from obscure online mailing lists to their outsized influence on today's transhumanist movement, Silicon Valley techno-utopianism, and AI ideology. We'll unpack their proactionary principle, ties to effective altruism and longtermism, and the Network State movement.PlayPlay PATREON PREVIEW: The Extropians
• Simone and Malcolm Collins: TESCREAL ParentsAug 8, 2025 · 1 hr 9 minTo become a Patreon subscriber go here: https://www.patreon.com/DystopiaNow This week we go on a dark journey of TESCREAL parenting with Simone and Malcolm Collins, the rationalist pro-natalism advocates who are raising their kids on an all AI diet. Strap in as we explore their secular religion, their runs for office, and "Future Day." By the end of this episode you may never want to have 10 kids. We also covered Jim Acosta's interview with an AI Parkland survivor, Elon's sex chatbot, and Èmile's new newsletter, Real Time Techpocalypse. Further reading Intro https://x.com/jeremyjudkins_/status/1944894110420148723 https://www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/ https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/parents-parkland-shooting-victim-ai-version-son-joaquin-1235400053/ Ritchie Torres https://fortune.com/crypto/2023/01/26/ritchie-torres-cryptocurrency-blockchain-web3-financial-inclusion/ https://ritchietorres.house.gov/posts/led-by-rep-ritchie-torres-20-members-of-congress-urge-congressional-leadership-to-fully-fund-pandemic-preparedness https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/28/cryptocurrency-democratic-party Simone and Malcolm Collins https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/may/25/american-pronatalists-malcolm-and-simone-collins https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/of-interest/2025/02/01/malcolm-and-simone-collins-pronatalism/ <a class="" hrePlayPlay Simone and Malcolm Collins: TESCREAL Parents
• PATREON PREVIEW: The Zizians Part 3: The Murder SpreeAug 1, 2025This is the final installment of our series on the Rationalist Death Cult, the Zizians. This three part series unpacks the twisted story of the Zizians, a fringe group born out of the Bay Area rationalist and effective altruism subcultures that descended into violence and murder. Blending a belief in utilitarianism with extreme accelerationist ideology, the Zizians started with an AI Doom fixation and ended up justifying a string of brutal killings in the name of a supposed greater good. To hear the series, become a member here: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow In Part 1 "A Cult Within a Cult" We discuss the origins of the Zizian ideology in the Rationalism community, MIRI, CFAR, Roko's Basilisk and Effective Altruism Doom Circles. How did TESCREALism, Bay Area housing costs, and the Human Potential Movement set the stage for a series of horrors? In part 2 "The Murders Begin," we look at how a group of rationalists becomes a murder cult. This episode takes us from the MIRI/CFAR protest aftermath to the first attack on Curtis Lind and Ziz's faked death. We also cover Timeless Decision Theory, Expected Value Calculations, and Pascal's Mugging. Finally, in Part 3 "The Murder Spree" we discuss how a fringe subculture became a national news story through the killing of a Border Patrol Agent.PlayPlay PATREON PREVIEW: The Zizians Part 3: The Murder Spree
• Mark Zuckerberg: Bunker BoyJul 31, 2025 · 59 minTo become a supporter, visit us at https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow This week we explore the weird world of Mark Zuckerberg and billionaire bunkers. FURTHER READING: Meta, Zuckerberg, and AI Meta Q2 earnings beat forecasts, pushes toward AI "personal superintelligence" deadline.com/2025/07/meta-q2-earnings-beat-forecasts-ai-personal-superintelligence-1236474506/ Inside Meta's plans for a new AI lab focused on superintelligence nytimes.com/2025/06/10/technology/meta-new-ai-lab-superintelligence.html Meta's growing dominance in AI bbc.com/news/technology-64075067 Zuckerberg responds to Cambridge Analytica scandal theguardian.com/technology/2018/mar/21/mark-zuckerberg-response-facebook-cambridge-analytica How Facebook contributed to genocide in Myanmar systemicjustice.org/article/facebook-and-genocide-how-facebook-contributed-to-genocide-in-myanmar-and-why-it-will-not-be-held-accountable/ Zuckerberg grilled in Congress on Facebook's origins washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/04/11/channeling-the-social-network-lawmaker-grills-zuckerberg-on-his-notorious-beginnings/ Zuckerberg's Hawaii Estate and Land Development Mark Zuckerberg's Hawaii compound includes burial grounds and escape hatch wired.com/story/mark-zuckerberg-secretive-hawaii-compound-burial-ground/ What we know about Zuckerberg's Hawaii estate wired.com/story/mark-zuckerberg-inside-hawaii-compound/ Zuckerberg's land deals in Hawaii raise questions <a href= "https://ft.com/content/851e7707-1ca3-4fa9-9719-05b66ad5c5cc" rel=PlayPlay Mark Zuckerberg: Bunker Boy
• Tech and HasbaraJul 25, 2025 · 54 minTo become a supporter and keep the show going, visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow This week we were joined by Keira Havens of Citizen's Impeachment and Nicholas Rodelo , a staff researcher at Dropsite News to discuss how tech has assisted propaganda campaigns to further the genocide in Gaza. Articles and Media Mentioned: https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/google-acquisition-tech-wiz-israel-gaza-8200 https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/18/politics/cnn-poll-israel-support https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/opinion/no-israel-is-not-committing-genocide-in-gaza.html https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/opinion/israel-gaza-genocide-scholar-response.html https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/leaked-data-israeli-censorship-meta https://medium.com/@Keira_Havens/box-of-rocks-b8aec0c8710ePlayPlay Tech and Hasbara
• Mind Uploading and Life ExtensionJul 18, 2025 · 1 hr 4 minBecome a subscriber and join our listener chat: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow This week, we explored the tech billionaire fixation with cryonics, mind uploading and life extension. We're just a couple of decel deathists! (You'll see what we mean) In the intro this week, we talked about Superman's critique of tech billionaires, Mountainhead, and we read a very special poem. Plus, a Meta AI data center in Georgia leads to rationing of water for local residents. Who needs a shower when you can have a bad search engine? FURTHER READING: Billionaire Immortality and Cryonics How Billionaires Are Freezing Themselves to Cheat Death https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/jul/10/billionaires-freezing-cryopreservation-riches-lawyers-life The Quest to Reverse Aging Among the Ultra-Rich https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/feb/17/if-they-could-turn-back-time-how-tech-billionaires-are-trying-to-reverse-the-ageing-process Inside the Billionaire-Led Race for Immortality https://theweek.com/science/the-billionaire-led-quest-for-immortality Deathism https://transhumanism.fandom.com/wiki/Deathism Wikipedia: Alcor Life Extension Foundation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcor_Life_Extension_Foundation AI and Tech Power Jaron Lanier on the Cult-Like Belief in AI https://www.vox.com/the-gray-area/407154/jaron-lanier-ai-religion-progress-criticism Let's Think About Slowing Down AI by Katja Grace https://worldspiritsockpuppet.substack.com/p/lets-think-about-slowing-down-ai AI Hallucinations and the Fragility of Tech Trust https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/technology/ai-hallucinations-chatgpt-googPlayPlay Mind Uploading and Life Extension
• Ecomodernism and Nuclear EnergyJul 11, 2025 · 1 hr 47 minTo join us on Patreon, go here: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow This week we talked to professors Kyle Keeler and Nathaniel Otjen about the Breakthrough Institute, ecomodernism nuclear energy and AI. Does nuclear come with some downsides? (Yes) Futher Reading: Links between AI, tech, nuclear energy "Continued Propaganda About AI and Nuclear Power" " Nuclear Power Is Hard. A Climate-Minded Billionaire Wants to Make It Easier " "Here are the Nuclear Fission Startups Backed by Big Tech" "Meta signs 20-year deal with nuclear plant, signals AI's growing energy needs" "Three Mile Island nuclear plant will reopen to power Microsoft data centers" "President Donald J. Trump Deploys Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security" How Nuclear Got a Positive Image "Nuclear Injustice: Why a Nuclear Renaissance is the Same Old Colonial Story" "A Degrowth Response to an Ecomodernist Manifesto" "The Stories Michael Shellenberger Tells" "The New Denial is Delay" "'Anti-Censorship' Shellenberger Tried To Censor, Harass and Intimidate Wikipedia Editor" <p dir="ltr" role="presentationPlayPlay Ecomodernism and Nuclear Energy
• Thiel is the Antichrist with Will MenakerJul 6, 2025 · 1 hr 16 minTo become a supporter and help keep our show going: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow (An earlier version of this show was posted, we fixed a sound problem with the file and reposted) Back from our short break. This week we analyzed Peter Thiel's interview with Ross Douthat and then sat down with Will Menaker from Chapo Trap House to talk about Zohran and fighting the tech billionaires. Further Reading: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/us/politics/democrats-project-2029.html https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/28/europe/jeff-bezos-wedding-protest-venice-latam-intl https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/opinion/peter-thiel-antichrist-ross-douthat.html https://www.truthdig.com/articles/machine-learning-maga-rise-of-the-christian-cyborg/ https://www.uvm.edu/~gflomenh/courses/ENV-NGO-PA395/articles/Lynn-White.pdf https://www.thenation.com/article/economy/abolish-venture-capitalism/ https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/11/30/how-venture-capitalists-are-deforming-capitalism https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/nyregion/mamdani-wins-mayor-primary-nyc.html https://www.thenerdreich.com/is-peter-thiel-the-antichrist-nyt-didnt-think-to-ask/ https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/01/kirsten-gillibrand-zohran-mamdani-00436031 https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/welcomefest-dispatch-centrism-abundance/ <span class=PlayPlay Thiel is the Antichrist with Will Menaker
• Pro-Natalism, Anti-Natalism and Efilism with Briahna Joy GrayJun 20, 2025 · 1 hr 30 minTo join us on Patreon go here: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow This week we were joined by Briahna Joy Gray to talk about natalism and Efilism. We also had a great discussion about the philosophy of human extinction. Bad Faith Podcast / Briahna Joy Gray Bad Faith Podcast: "Episode 479: Promo — Truth in Fiction w/ Cory Doctorow" https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-479-promo-truth-in-fiction-w-cory-doctorow/id1531192509?i=1000710888262 Bad Faith Podcast: "Episode 445: Promo — From Merit to Eugenics: Elon Musk's…" https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/episode-445-promo-from-merit-to-eugenics-elon-musks/id1531192509?i=1000688606822 Pronatalism / Natalism Discourse Mother Jones — "This Is a War, and Natalism Is Our Sword and Shield" https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/03/this-is-a-war-and-natalism-is-our-sword-and-shield-my-weekend-with-the-pronatalists/ The Guardian — "Natal Conference in Austin, Texas, and Eugenics" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/03/natal-conference-austin-texas-eugenics The Guardian — "What Is Pronatalism? Right-Wing Republican Movement" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/11/what-is-pronatalism-right-wing-republican The Guardian — "Elon Musk, Pronatalism, and Motherhood on Social Media" https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/25/elon-musk-pronatalism-mothers-social-media-parenting CNN — "Pronatalism, Elon Musk, and Birth Rates" https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/10/us/pronatalism-elon-musk-birth-rates-cec Vox — "JD Vance, Pronatalism, and Population Decline" <a href= "https://www.vox.com/policy/363543/pronatalism-vance-birth-rates-population-decline-fertility" rel="noopener noreferrer nofolPlayPlay Pro-Natalism, Anti-Natalism and Efilism with Briahna Joy Gray
• The Crapture: Transhumanism and ChristianityJun 12, 2025 · 40 minPlease support our show at patreon.com/dystopianow This week, we explore the growing relationship between Christianity and transhumanism and how they may be merging in the MAGA movement into an end-times fantasy that can satisfy everyone! Surveillance, Policing, and Immigration Tech Waymo Faces Data Privacy Protests in Los Angeles https://www.wired.com/story/waymo-data-privacy-protests-los-angeles/ Waymo's Driverless Cars Revealed to Be Narcs as Cops Use Them to Probe Crimes https://gizmodo.com/waymos-driverless-cars-revealed-to-be-narcs-as-cops-use-them-to-probe-crimes-2000590426 Los Angeles ICE Raids Spark Concerns Over Immigration Conditions https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/11/la-ice-raids-immigration-conditions Democrats Face Backlash Over Resolution Thanking ICE https://www.newsweek.com/democrats-ice-gratitude-resolution-backlash-2084004 Trump Leans on Palantir to Build Massive Database of Americans https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/technology/trump-palantir-data-americans.html Greta Thunberg https://x.com/GozukaraFurkan/status/1932462605928464469 AI, Religion, and the Tech-Spiritual Convergence Machine Learning MAGA: Rise of the Christian Cyborg https://www.truthdig.com/articles/machine-learning-maga-rise-of-the-christian-cyborg/ Silicon Valley's Obsession with AI Looks a Lot Like Religion https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/silicon-valleys-obsession-with-ai-looks-a-lot-like-religion/ AI's Spiritual Delusions Are Destroying Human Relationships https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/cPlayPlay The Crapture: Transhumanism and Christianity
• Transhumanism and Capitalism with Dr. Alexander ThomasJun 5, 2025 · 1 hr 35 minTo become a supporter and join our group chat, visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DystopiaNow This week we chatted with Dr. Alexander Thomas, author of The Politics and Ethics of Transhumanism : Techno-Human Evolution and Advanced Capitalism. Dr Alexander Thomas is a multi-award-winning film director and screenwriter. His academic research questions what it means to be human when cultural, cybernetic and biotechnological developments undermine the notion of the human as a cogent and eternal category. This episode is a great pairing to last week's episode with Quinn Slobodian. We mentioned a lot of texts and authors in this episode that we've included below. Inclusion does not mean agreement in all instances. Critical Analyses of Transhumanism & Longtermism University of East London: A Critical Look at the Rise and Risks of Transhumanism Emile Torres in The Guardian : Pro-Extinctionists and the Longtermist Threat Torres in Aeon : Why Longtermism Is the World's Most Dangerous Secular Credo Boston Review : The New Moral Mathematics New Statesman : The Longtermist Threat to Humanity Slate : Existential Risk vs Human Apathy Economics Papers: Is Longtermism DangerousPlayPlay Transhumanism and Capitalism with Dr. Alexander Thomas
• The Tech Bro Zone with Quinn SlobodianMay 28, 2025 · 1 hr 8 minTo join our group chat or become a subscriber, go here: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow This week we chatted with historian Quinn Slobodian , a professor of international history at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University. His books, which have been translated into ten languages, include, most recently, Hayek's Bastards: Race, Gold, IQ and the Capitalism of the Far Right and Crack-Up Capitalism: Market Radicals and the Dream of a World without Democracy . Intro Anthropic: AI deception risk Patreon: Join Community Chats Quinn Slobodian Tech bros, Trump, and the Silicon Valley nation-state – The Guardian The Bastards of Neoliberalism – New Statesman Elon Musk and the Demography Agenda – New Statesman Crack-Up Capitalism Interview – Jacobin The Bastards of Neoliberalism – New Statesman The Inhuman Future of Intelligence – The Guardian Other <spanPlayPlay The Tech Bro Zone with Quinn Slobodian
• PATREON PREVIEW: The Zizians, A Cult Within A CultMay 25, 2025 · 2 minThis week is Part 1 of our Patreon supporter only series on the Zizians. We discuss the origins of the Zizian ideology in the Rationalism community, MIRI, CFAR, Roko's Basilisk and Doom Circles. To become a subscriber, visit us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNowPlayPlay PATREON PREVIEW: The Zizians, A Cult Within A Cult
• PATREON PREVIEW: The Zizians, A Cult Within A CultMay 24, 2025 · 48 minThis week is Part 1 of our Patreon supporter only series on the Zizians. We discuss the origins of the Zizian ideology in the Rationalism community, MIRI, CFAR, Roko's Basilisk and Doom Circles. To hear the rest of the episode, please consider becoming a Patreon supporter at https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow We really appreciate your consideration! We're an entirely independent show with no advertisers only possible because of listeners like you.PlayPlay PATREON PREVIEW: The Zizians, A Cult Within A Cult
• Dragging Matt Yglesias with Nathan RobinsonMay 22, 2025 · 1 hr 13 minTo become a Patreon supporter go here: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow With guest Nathan Robinson , Editor of Current Affairs, we dive into the career and ideology of Matt Yglesias and his confidently wrong opinions about everything. Yglesias has helped shift mainstream liberalism toward a colder, more cynical worldview that prioritizes elite consensus and data-driven "pragmatism" over solidarity and human dignity. From Sam Bankman-Fried and crypto, to housing, to Palestine, he's the voice of technocratic centrism beloved by Silicon Valley elites. His views reflect a shallow utilitarianism that strips politics of moral urgency and empathy, and we are here to drag that shit. We explore how Yglesias has become a key ideological bridge between neoliberal Democrats and the techno-libertarian right. Nathan J. Robinson – Articles & Book The Opinions of Matt Yglesias Should Be Ignored – Current Affairs Why Effective Altruism and Longtermism Are Toxic Ideologies – Current Affairs We Should Be Neither Anti-Natalist Nor Pro-Natalist – Current Affairs The Dangerous Ideas of Longtermism and Existential Risk – Current Affairs The Myth of American Idealism – Book by Noam Chomsky & Nathan J. Robinson Articles Mentioned in Intro: Democrats, Influencers, and Trump – NYT Charity for Shrimps? Ronny Chieng Explores the Limits of Effective Altruism | The Daily Show Biden's PSA Test and Political Fallout – NYT Matt Yglesias – Writings & Critiques The Troubling Rise of Hitler Revisionism – Slow Boring Some ThoughPlayPlay Dragging Matt Yglesias with Nathan Robinson
• TESCREAL Overview with Kath Barbadoro and Alex PtakMay 15, 2025 · 1 hr 4 minTo join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow This week we welcomed comedians Kath Barbadoro (What a Time to Be Alive podcast) and Alex Ptak (Quorators podcast) to go through each letter in the bundle of ideologies. Who invented them, who believes in them, and the impact they are having on our world today. Transhumanism Extropianism Singularitarianism Cosmism Rationalism Effective Altruism Longtermism Extra reading/watching: Intro clip: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.free.press/video/7457615074945944863 The TESCREAL Bundle: https://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/13636/11599 Adam Becker: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/03/tech-oligarchs-musk The Politics and Ethics of Transhumanism by Alexander Thomas: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/the-politics-and-ethics-of-transhumanism TESCREAL overview by Èmile: https://www.truthdig.com/articles/the-acronym-behind-our-wildest-ai-dreams-and-nightmares/PlayPlay TESCREAL Overview with Kath Barbadoro and Alex Ptak
• The Dark Enlightenment (Nick Land and Curtis Yarvin)May 8, 2025 · 1 hr 1 minOur Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow This week we discussed Nick Land's series of essays "The Dark Enlightenment," considered a foundational document for right accelerationists (r/acc) and neoreactionary ideologies (NrX). Plus the Cybernetic Culture Research Unit, Mark Zuckerberg's AI friends, Bryan Johnson's penis de-aging, and AI spirituality. Additional Resources: Segment 1: Bryan Johnson Vanity Fair: The bizarre journey of Bryan Johnson, his anti-aging endeavors, and his controversial experiment in penile rejuvenation. Don't Die, Tech Mogul: Bryan Johnson's Quest Bryan Johnson's Blog on Penis De-Aging Segment 2: AI Is Stealing Your Boyfriend Rolling Stone: How spiritual delusions about AI are fracturing human bonds. AI and Human Relationships: A Cultural Shift Segment 3: Nick Land Vox: Neoreaction as a segment of the alt-right The Alt-Right Explained Slate: John Derbyshire Derbyshire's "Advice" and the Fallout Nick Land's Foundational Text: A dense introduction to accelerationism, emphasizing the destructive potential of speeding up capitalist processes. A Quick and Dirty Introduction to Accelerationism Mark Fisher (Tumblr): A reflection on accelerationism from the left Terminator vs. Avatar: Notes on Accelerationism Viewpoint Magazine: Dark Enlightenment <a href= "https://viewpointmag.cPlayPlay The Dark Enlightenment (Nick Land and Curtis Yarvin)
• UNLOCKED: Nuke Mars (Bezos vs. Musk)May 4, 2025 · 49 minIf you'd like to become a subscriber to hear more bonus episodes you can do it here: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow his Patreon bonus episode with Kenice Mobley about Bezos vs. Musk on space was so fun we decided to unlock it. Bezos wants us to live in cylinders, Musk wants us to nuke Mars, but both of them want a future where we're all digital beings maximizing value. Some of the wildest information we've talked about so far. Thanks for being one of our patreon subscribers! For further reading: Jason Hickel: https://www.jasonhickel.org/less-is-more Astrotopia: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/A/bo184287883.html https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2023/12/15/forget-musks-martian-ambition-jeff-bezos-thinks-humans-should-live-in-giant-cylindrical-space-stations/ https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/nuke-mars-elon-musk-seems-serious-about-plan-terraform-red-ncna1045181 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/08/science/starship-spacex-explosion-elon-musk.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/11/technology/elon-musk-spacex-mars.htmlPlayPlay UNLOCKED: Nuke Mars (Bezos vs. Musk)
• COPAGANDA with Alec KarakatsanisMay 1, 2025 · 1 hr 18 minPlease join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow For the first half of the episode, we talked about the Semafor reveal of Silicon Valley groupchats and Marc Andreessen's posting addiction + Èmile's article on End Times Eschatology. We covered Yudkowsky's "Fun Theory," cryogenically freezing your head, and the connection between transhumanists and Christianity. Then, we talked to author and former public defender Alec Karakatsanis about his new book Copanganda and the way we are all propagandized about policing and crime. Alec is the founder of the Civil Rights Corps, an organization designed to advocate for racial justice and bring systemic civil rights cases on behalf of impoverished people. This was such a good interview. Apologies for Kate's slightly bad audio in this, we had some internet issues and had to record on the phone. Alec Karakatsanis – Resources THE BOOK! The New Press – Copaganda: How Police and the Media Manipulate Our Communities Substack: Equal Justice Under Law Twitter/X: @equalityAlec Bluesky: equalityalec.bsky.social PDF: The Body Camera by Alec Karakatsanis (Yale Law) Articles and People We Mentioned Truthdig – "The Endgame of Edgelord Eschatology" Vox – "Will AI become God? That's the wrong question." The Guardian – "Tech guru Jaron Lanier: 'The danger isn't that AI destroys us. It's that it drives us insane'" Wired – "Doug Rushkoff Is Ready to Renounce the Digital Revolution" Semafor – "The Group Chats That Changed America" Harper's – "A Letter on Justice and Open Debate" <a href= "httpPlayPlay COPAGANDA with Alec Karakatsanis
• Q & A Part 1 -- Harry Potter and the Methods of RationalityApr 23, 2025 · 40 minThis week we answered some questions from our Patreon supporters. It's like a mini episode on a bunch of different topics, including the worst book I've ever heard of. We covered Èmile's journey out of longtermism, Yudkowsky's Harry Potter fan fic, end-times narratives, and how we will one day beat the tech bros by withholding our labor. If you'd like to hear part 2 become a subscriber here: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow Articles Mentioned in This Episode and Further Reading AI Ethics Louisiana is using a mysterious algorithm to decide who gets parole – The Verge https://www.theverge.com/news/647405/louisiana-tiger-algorithm-parole Why Sam Altman wants AI to say "please" and "thank you" – Quartz https://qz.com/open-ai-sam-altman-chatgpt-gpt4-please-thank-you-1851777047 TESCREAL and End Times End Times: How Fascism, the Far Right, Trump, and Musk are converging – The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/apr/13/end-times-fascism-far-right-trump-musk Overview of TESCREAL (by Èmile) The acronym behind our wildest AI dreams and nightmares – Truthdig https://www.truthdig.com/articles/the-acronym-behind-our-wildest-ai-dreams-and-nightmares/ Effective Altruism & Scandals The sexual harassment scandal tearing Effective Altruism apart – TIME https://time.com/6252617/effective-altruism-sexual-harassment/ Sam Bankman-Fried funded 'woke shit' for transactional purposes, prosecutors allege – VICE https://www.vice.com/en/article/sam-bankman-fried-funded-woke-shit-for-transactional-purposes-prosecutors-allege/ The rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried – The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/mar/23/sam-bankman-fried-rise-and-fall-details Defective Altruism – Current Affairs https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/2022/09/defective-altruism <li claPlayPlay Q & A Part 1 -- Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality
• Sam Altman Part 2: Doomsday Prepping and Simulation HypothesisApr 17, 2025 · 1 hr 15 minPlease consider becoming a subscriber on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/dystopianow/membership This episode we began with a discussion of Peter Singer and eugenics ideas in the Effective Altruism community. And more Sam Altman-- his firing at Open AI, his doomsday prepping and his version of utopia. Sam Altman & OpenAI Moore's Law for Everything – Sam Altman's Blog OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Is a Survivalist Prepper – Futurism Sam Altman's Manifest Destiny – The New Yorker The Most Powerful Man in AI – New York Magazine OpenAI Controversy The Real Story Behind Sam Altman's Firing From OpenAI – WSJ Former OpenAI Employee Sounds Alarm on Altman – Futurism Sam Altman Reinstated at OpenAI – The Guardian Tech Utopias & Praxis Altman-Backed Praxis Eyes Kyiv and Athens for Tech Utopia – Bloomberg Praxis: Tech Dystopia as the Next America – The Nerd Reich <p class="p3PlayPlay Sam Altman Part 2: Doomsday Prepping and Simulation Hypothesis
• Sam Altman Part 1: Building God, Scanning EyeballsApr 10, 2025 · 52 minBecome a member on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DystopiaNow This week, we begin to explore the mystery that is Sam Altman of Open AI. We cover the AI Doomer coup, Sam's Worldcoin metal orb that scans your retinas, his friendship with Peter Thiel, and his views on restructuring our government with AItopia. We also talked about the weirdo tech billionaire plot to do a Mars colonization trial run on Greenland. An hour in, we had barely scratched the surface of Sam, so we'll be back with a Part 2. Further Reading on Sam Altman: The Inside Story of Sam Altman's Ouster—and Reinstatement—at OpenAI – TIME https://time.com/6551117/sam-altman-openai-ouster-return/ Sam Altman's Worldcoin Launches Amid Privacy Concerns – The Verge https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/24/23805254/worldcoin-sam-altman-iris-scanning-launch-privacy Sam Altman Has a Big, Scary Plan for the World – The Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2023/08/sam-altman-worldcoin-openai-ai-ethics/674928/ Sam Altman's Secret Fundraising Spree – The Information https://www.theinformation.com/articles/sam-altmans-secret-fundraising-spree OpenAI Drama: What Really Happened with Sam Altman – New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/22/technology/openai-sam-altman-chaos.html The Worldcoin Controversy Explained – MIT Technology Review https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/07/25/1076412/worldcoin-biometric-id-sam-altman/ Praxis & Greenland Articles Greenland 'Freedom City'? Rich donors push Trump for a tech hub up north – Reuters https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greenland-freedom-city-rich-donors-push-trump-tech-hub-up-north-2025-04-10/ I Went to Greenland to Try to Buy It – TechCrunch <a href= "https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/15/i-went-to-greenland-to-try-to-buy-it-meet-the-founder-who-wants-to-rPlayPlay Sam Altman Part 1: Building God, Scanning Eyeballs