Dystopia Now

Explore Émile's journey from his involvement with Effective Altruism to his eventual critique of longtermism. Discover Palantir CEO Alex Karp's political evolution and the contrast between his progressive claims and the company's surveillance contracts. Dive into the cult-like dynamics of the EA community, as Émile reveals its troubling aspects, including obsession with hypothetical extinction scenarios. The discussion examines how such ideologies might risk justifying extreme moral actions for perceived greater goods.

Join Adam Aleksic, a.k.a. Etymology Nerd and author of Algospeak, as he unpacks the evolving landscape of language shaped by social media. He explores concepts like algospeak and how algorithms influence our vocabulary, from the rise of 'slop' content to the impact of TikTok memes on communication. Adam dives into how technology blurs linguistic precision, creating vibes over formality. He also discusses the future of slang, predicting vibrant contributions from diverse communities. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on the intersection of language and tech!

Dive into the unsettling world of Eliezer Yudkowsky, where fan fiction collides with existential dread. Discover his grandiose claims, alarming views on morality, and philosophical contradictions. The hosts discuss his influence on AI culture, his bizarre online persona, and the unsettling moral calculations he champions. Yudkowsky advocates for extreme measures against AGI, all while shaping the industry’s future and warning against the very technology he helped ignite. A controversial figure, his story is both captivating and chilling.

Eoin Higgins, investigative journalist and author of "Owned," dives into the intricate world of tech billionaires manipulating media narratives. The conversation highlights how figures like Thiel and Musk have poured cash into platforms, influencing journalists like Greenwald and Taibbi. Eoin examines the aftermath of Russiagate on these writers, their ideological shifts, and the motivations behind their departures from traditional media. He also discusses the blend of money and genuine beliefs driving this trend, particularly in response to crises like COVID.

In 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/.

The hosts delve into Peter Thiel's fascination with the Antichrist, exploring whether his rhetoric is theological or political. They analyze the surprising audience mix and protests surrounding his lectures. The concept of dispensationalism and its influence on modern U.S. politics is dissected, revealing how apocalyptic narratives mobilize support. The conversation also connects tech eschatology with religious end-time beliefs, questioning Thiel's targets and the alignment of right-wing factions. Humorously critical, they unmask Thiel's anti-regulation hypocrisy.

https://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/

San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston joins the discussion, known for his advocacy on tenant's rights and opposition to tech billionaires. He delves into how these tech-rich elites manipulate local politics through deceitful campaigns. Preston highlights the clash between progressive policies and dark money's influence on housing issues. He discusses challenges facing low-income communities and critiques zoning laws that favor market-driven solutions. The conversation reveals the ongoing struggle for genuine progressive values amid the tech-driven political landscape.

To 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/

To 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.