Using an Anonymous Account and Frustration with Tech Gatekeeping

Beff Jezos, the anonymous co-founder of the effective accelerationism movement (also known as "e/acc") recently had his identity revealed by Forbes reporters. He gives the inside story to Erik Torenberg, Antonio Garcia Martinez, Dan Romero, his e/acc cofounder Bayeslord, and The Cognitive Revolution podcast host Nathan Labenz. Make informed decision for high impact donations with GiveWell, which is offering Upstream listeners donation matching up to $100. To claim your match, go to https://www.givewell.org ➡️ pick “Podcast” and enter "Upstream with Erik Torenberg" at checkout.

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We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.

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RECOMMENDED PODCAST: LIVE PLAYERS

Join host Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg as they analyze the mindsets of today’s most intriguing business leaders, investors, and innovators through the lens of their bold actions and contrarian worldviews. You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of the development of technology, business, political power, culture and more. Listen and subscribe everywhere you get your podcasts: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers.

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X / TWITTER:

@BasedBeffJezos (Beff)

@bayeslord (Bayeslord)

@dwr (Dan)

@antoniogm (Antonio)

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@upstream__pod

@turpentinemedia

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Episode Preview

(02:23) The inside story

(05:28) How did Beff's identity get revealed by these reporters?

(12:27) Why should journalists get to decide who gets to be anon?

(16:13) Beff's academic background in quantum computing

(18:33) Why Beff started the anon account

(20:52) Sponsor: Shopify

(22:30) What's next for e/acc

(27:37) Overcentralization of AI

(29:56) Where the alpha is

(35:42) Sponsor: Givewell

(42:12) Decels and the rebellion

(48:37) Why is big tech so bad & 2024 elections

(51:00) AI Leaderboards

(53:44) Crypto and AI crossover

(58:08) Decentralizing the AI supply chain

(01:04:24) Hardware & Extropic technology

(01:09:24) Utility of e/acc

(01:14:52) What is the e/acc gospel

(01:22:20) What is the near term for AI?

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Upstream is a production from Turpentine

Producer: Sam Kaufman

Editor: Michelle Poreh

For guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact Sam@turpentine.co