The John Johnston Lounge

John Johnston (JJ) reacts to a Breaking Points interview between Krystal Ball and author Jacob Silverman, about his new book Gilded Rage. The book and interview explore Silicon Valley tech billionaires’ turn to far-right politics, and the quest for more power and money, and the techno-authoritarian future they want.Related episodes:Sam Harris & Kara Swisher on Elon Musk: Techno-Authoritarianism and "Maniac" Behavior https://open.spotify.com/episode/0jEONT8ErTK2NFc5ObLmhJJoe Rogan’s Embarrassing Tech Billionaire Worship Hits New Low https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ggR6cTbiPxQwkB6DC9mpNWhy All-In Podcast Tech Billionaires Don't Get the AI Backlash (ft. Tucker Carlson) https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vOcht7oeoJGu9nqevtT98Referenced:Silicon Valley's Dark Quest For Techno Fascism | Breaking Points https://open.spotify.com/episode/7DFU0Eg44oV51hsLgMI9rMGilded Rage: Elon Musk and the Radicalization of Silicon Valley | Jacob Silverman https://amzn.to/4jmoReH

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that Tesla’s Robotaxi project in Austin may be much smaller than Elon Musk claims. We also look at some of the other grand claims and predictions that Elon is currently making for SpaceX, and for the tech utopian future he envisions. Related episodes:Tesla Robotaxi Unsupervised: Safety Monitors Removed in Austin https://open.spotify.com/episode/4iyrnPUJQZZovdrK2VXqspJudge’s Tesla 60-Day Ultimatum: Rename Autopilot or Face Sales Ban https://open.spotify.com/episode/55hXViiGZulwC1QZf9PjXoElon Musk's Delusional Tesla Robotaxi Claims vs Waymo's Reality (20 mill Trips) https://open.spotify.com/episode/7CNNqzm1LBn76Ko289aDhPReferenced:The Optimus Disaster: 5 Years Late & Still Remote Controlled! | Thunderf00t  https://youtu.be/NgfiuRZzBwUTesla’s Robotaxi project in Austin is much smaller than Musk claims | Electrekhttps://electrek.co/2025/12/22/tesla-robotaxi-project-austin-much-smaller-than-musk-claims/Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) reacts to part of a recent episode of the All-In Podcast with the tech billionaire “Besties”, Chamath, Jason, David Sacks, and Friedberg, in relation to what politician Bernie Sanders is currently saying about AI sector development. Senator Sanders is proposing an AI data center moratorium, and is critical of the tech billionaires involved. The All-in Besties explain why they think this is just fearmongering, and think the tech sector needs to frame fast AI development in a more positive way. Related episodes:Why All-In Podcast Tech Billionaires Don't Get the AI Backlash (ft. Tucker Carlson) https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vOcht7oeoJGu9nqevtT98Sam Harris & Kara Swisher on Elon Musk: Techno-Authoritarianism and "Maniac" Behavior https://open.spotify.com/episode/0jEONT8ErTK2NFc5ObLmhJElon MUSK’S xAI Grok si POISONING Memphis! https://open.spotify.com/episode/2hAAzu6bIiBQpkSSmkZPhsReferenced videos:Bernie Sanders: Stop All AI, China's EUV Breakthrough, Inflation Down, Golden Age in 2026? | All-In Podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/26BF1wvIwGuic4lYhWuBfhIt's Time for a Moratorium on Data Centers | Sen. Bernie Sanders https://youtu.be/f40SFNcTOXo

Join John Johnston (JJ) for the Weekly Lounge, a compilation of the week's 5 episodes of The John Johnston Lounge. Below are the individual episode titles and links, and recent Weekly Lounge links too, if you want to catch up on them:Tesla Robotaxi Unsupervised: Safety Monitors Removed in Austin https://open.spotify.com/episode/4iyrnPUJQZZovdrK2VXqspSam Harris & Kara Swisher on Elon Musk: Techno-Authoritarianism and "Maniac" Behavior https://open.spotify.com/episode/0jEONT8ErTK2NFc5ObLmhJWhy All-In Podcast Tech Billionaires Don't Get the AI Backlash (ft. Tucker Carlson) https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vOcht7oeoJGu9nqevtT98Judge’s Tesla 60-Day Ultimatum: Rename Autopilot or Face Sales Ban https://open.spotify.com/episode/55hXViiGZulwC1QZf9PjXoJoe Rogan’s Embarrassing Tech Billionaire Worship Hits New Low https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ggR6cTbiPxQwkB6DC9mpNRecent Weekly Lounge episodes: Weekly Lounge: Palantir Lonsdale Outrage, Tesla Optimus Fails & Musk’s Robotaxi Delusions  https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cfFUx3uWEi1875fCqRDZfWeekly Lounge: Rogan’s "AI Jesus” Rant, TSLA Overvalued (Burry), Tesla EU Sales Crash https://open.spotify.com/episode/7k6b9wnmgqmCMt6vbqq7APWeekly Lounge: Rogan vs Theo Von, Thiel Dumps NVDA, Musk vs Bezos in Space https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JnYCpEijlloMimu0zPvoh

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how Joe Rogan is continuing down the road of worshiping the tech billionaires he has on his podcast, such as Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, Mark Zuckerberg and others. It’s a far cry from the “everyman” and “anti-establishment” image he cultivated in the past. JJ reacts to Emma Vigeland and Sam Seder from The Majority Report, who discuss Rogan, and then comedian Tim Dillon talking with Joe Rogan about the Tech Billionaires wanting to start their own sovereign states, or so-called “network states”.Related episodes:Sam Harris: Joe Rogan’s Podcast is a “Bug Light” for Maniac Guests  https://open.spotify.com/episode/0y5EBw33i8DPf8fPQnMl8EJoe Rogan’s “Jesus as AI” Rant: Has He Lost It? (American Alchemy Reaction) https://open.spotify.com/episode/2wLVQjgnEKEsSSYdLvyu31Joe Rogan GLAZES Peter Thiel & Palantir, Theo Von COOKS https://open.spotify.com/episode/1kNKj2d1vOXqlTKosqBhTYReferenced video:Rogan's Billionaire Bootlicking Hits Pathetic New Low | The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder https://youtu.be/A_FICdmz_TQ

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that a judge in California has ruled that Tesla’s marketing of its “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” systems was deceptive, and that Tesla’s license to sell and produce cars in the state should be revoked for 30 days. The California DMV has said it will give Tesla 60 days to comply and fix its marketing before going through with the suspension. This news comes at the same that Tesla is beginning to remove in-car safety monitors from its robotaxis in Austin, Texas. Is Tesla’s driving software now safe enough to operate fully autonomous robotaxis?Related episodes:Tesla Faces New NHTSA Probe of ‘Almost Sentient’ FSD  https://open.spotify.com/episode/2LX5ly0J5ORNp8yGg0ERnVElon’s Tesla Self-Driving Lies Are Catching Up To Him: Forbes https://open.spotify.com/episode/4f1avoIZag16DWbEospxfSJury Finds Tesla Partly Liable ($243m) in Autopilot Fatality  https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ScnbKkJutsMmBlfR0izzXReferenced video:The Insanity of Tesla CRASH DATA https://youtu.be/zT-sfRF6Hvk

John Johnston (JJ) reacts to a controversial segment of the All-In Podcast featuring guest Tucker Carlson. Hosts Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, and David Sacks attempt to diagnose the rising anti-AI sentiment among the general public. As Silicon Valley insiders, the "Besties”, along with Carlson, discuss the cultural backlash against Artificial Intelligence, why the public feels threatened, and what the tech industry should do about it.JJ breaks down their arguments to answer the key question: Do these tech billionaires actually understand the fear surrounding AI, or are they completely out of touch with the reality facing everyday people in society?Related episodes:Sam Harris & Kara Swisher on Elon Musk: Techno-Authoritarianism and "Maniac" Behavior  https://open.spotify.com/episode/0jEONT8ErTK2NFc5ObLmhJOpenAI CEO Sam Altman Triggers ‘CODE RED’ as Google’s Gemini Gains | Prof G Pod Reaction https://open.spotify.com/episode/2UjHc7btIkoiQJ77Ln5MT2Elon Musk’s WILDEST Tesla Optimus Robot Claims  https://open.spotify.com/episode/4QbgkOLIopzzgyHV89DnhLReferenced video:Tucker Carlson: Rise of Nick Fuentes, Paramount vs Netflix, Anti-AI Sentiment, Hottest Takes | All-In Podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zSsqEyfjkRZlp5GCDmXkB

Is Silicon Valley becoming a threat to democracy? John Johnston (JJ) reacts to a recent conversation between Sam Harris and Kara Swisher, discussing the controversial political pivot of tech billionaires like Elon Musk. Also discussed in this episode:The concept of "Techno-Authoritarianism" and why it matters.Sam Harris's critique of the fa right-wing movement in Big Tech.What the alliance between tech oligarchs and politics means for the future of freedom.Related episodes:Sam Harris: Joe Rogan’s Podcast is a “Bug Light” for Maniac Guests https://open.spotify.com/episode/0y5EBw33i8DPf8fPQnMl8EElon Musk’s Friend EXPOSES His Lies & Betrayal  https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ykqwuELZi7FwJtLVVf85EReferenced video:Sam Harris on Silicon Valley’s Slide into Techno-Authoritarianism | On With Kara Swisher  https://open.spotify.com/episode/6IQCtjoPJWNrYn6U9T82Ol

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the Tesla news that the company has begun removing the in-car safety monitors from its robotaxis in Austin, during a new testing phase. Elon Musk recently said this would happen by the end of the year. Questions remain; are the robotaxis being partially or fully tele-operated, and will Tesla begin to share safety data publicly, to show that Tesla robotaxis are safe enough for public use? Related episodes:Elon Musk's Delusional Tesla Robotaxi Claims vs Waymo's Reality (20 mill Trips) https://open.spotify.com/episode/7CNNqzm1LBn76Ko289aDhPTesla Optimus Hilariously Collapses! Is Elon Faking Autonomy? https://open.spotify.com/episode/61FgiacC7B8uOirfrOkBTKTesla Europe Sales Crash Deepens & Bricked Batteries Nightmare https://open.spotify.com/episode/7hLXZlUklCzGGwf19rrcdwDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

Join John Johnston (JJ) for the Weekly Lounge, a compilation of the week's 5 episodes of The John Johnston Lounge. Below are the individual episode titles and links, and recent Weekly Lounge links too, if you want to catch up on them:Elon Musk’s €120M MELTDOWN: Wants EU “Abolished”  https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bAlLvop4uEXymfBGrrY3nTesla Optimus Hilariously Collapses! Is Elon Faking Autonomy? https://open.spotify.com/episode/61FgiacC7B8uOirfrOkBTKPalantir Co-Founder Joe Lonsdale’s Call For “Public Hangings” Sparks Outrage https://open.spotify.com/episode/1d7RUufbl1a9utngPU3XZKElon Musk's Delusional Tesla Robotaxi Claims vs Waymo's Reality (20 mill Trips) https://open.spotify.com/episode/7CNNqzm1LBn76Ko289aDhPGamified: Big Tech’s Bet on Gambling & Scams https://open.spotify.com/episode/313XUFxnNRpiWJhAFbasCg  Recent Weekly Lounge: Weekly Lounge: Rogan’s "AI Jesus” Rant, TSLA Overvalued (Burry), Tesla EU Sales Crash https://open.spotify.com/episode/7k6b9wnmgqmCMt6vbqq7APWeekly Lounge: Rogan vs Theo Von, Thiel Dumps NVDA, Musk vs Bezos in Space https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JnYCpEijlloMimu0zPvohDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.