Support 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-sword Â
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Algospeak, Vibes, and Post-Rats with Adam Aleksic (Etymology Nerd)
This 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. Scott
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Fan Fic at the End of the World
This 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-of
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How Tech Billionaires Bought the Narrative with Eoin Higgins
In 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/DystopiaNow
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Is Saving Shrimps Effective Altruism? w/ Guest Comedian Josh Gondelman
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/. Â
Dystopia Now is a show where a comedian (Kate Willett) and an academic (Emile Torres) explore the philosophies and religions of Silicon Valley and tech billionaires shaping our country, our world, and our future.
USA