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The Nerd Reich
nerdreich
16 episodes
1 week ago
The Nerd Reich with Gil Duran a podcast about Silicon Valley politics and power—who holds it, how they use it, and how the unchecked influence of tech billionaires threatens democracy. Subscribe to the Nerd Reich newsletter: http://www.thenerdreich.com The Nerd Reich investigates the rise of Silicon Valley’s ruling class, the Network State cult, and the crypto-fueled push to undermine democratic government. From billionaire-backed disinformation to AI-driven control systems, we expose how tech elites are reshaping society in their image—concentrating wealth, destabilizing institutions, and eroding public trust. The Nerd Reich with Gil Duran breaks down how crypto scams, surveillance capitalism, and digital authoritarianism are accelerating the decline of democratic governance. If you care about power, politics, and the future of truth itself—this is the podcast you need to hear.
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The Nerd Reich with Gil Duran a podcast about Silicon Valley politics and power—who holds it, how they use it, and how the unchecked influence of tech billionaires threatens democracy. Subscribe to the Nerd Reich newsletter: http://www.thenerdreich.com The Nerd Reich investigates the rise of Silicon Valley’s ruling class, the Network State cult, and the crypto-fueled push to undermine democratic government. From billionaire-backed disinformation to AI-driven control systems, we expose how tech elites are reshaping society in their image—concentrating wealth, destabilizing institutions, and eroding public trust. The Nerd Reich with Gil Duran breaks down how crypto scams, surveillance capitalism, and digital authoritarianism are accelerating the decline of democratic governance. If you care about power, politics, and the future of truth itself—this is the podcast you need to hear.
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Episodes (16/16)
The Nerd Reich
Inside The Tech Cult: How Venture Capital Plans to Exit Democracy
Silicon Valley venture capital isn’t just funding technology. It’s also building an escape plan from democracy. In this episode of The Nerd Reich, Gil Duran is joined by Olivier Jutel (University of Otago) to examine what can only be described as a tech cult: a small, ideologically aligned group of venture capitalists who have become the de facto state planners of American capitalism. As many VC funds underperform, leading figures—from Peter Thiel to Marc Andreessen—are turning toward increasingly radical political projects. These include network states, charter cities, special economic zones, crypto-enabled sovereign zones, and heavy investment in AI, surveillance, and war technologies. The goal is no longer innovation, but power—and a strategy Jutel describes as “exit through the state.” This conversation breaks down: How venture capital actually makes money (and why “risk-taking” is largely a myth) Why VC is clustering around AI, crypto, surveillance, and militarization What the “network state” really is—and why it’s a political threat How Trump-era politics fit into VC’s long-term strategy Why “abundance” narratives collapse under real economic incentives What’s at stake for democracy, labor, and the future itself Venture capital is a political cult project—one increasingly willing to dismantle democratic systems to preserve its own power. Follow Olivier Jutel on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/ojutel.bsky.social Follow Gil Duran on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/gilduran.com Please subscribe to the Nerd Reich newsletter: https://www.thenerdreich.com/ Pre-order Gil Duran’s book: The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-nerd-reich-silicon-valley-fascism-and-the-war-on-democracy-gil-dur-n/a6f6f0dce1150339?ean=9781668221402&next=t #venturecapital #tech #politics #billionaire #democracy #ai
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1 week ago
46 minutes

The Nerd Reich
JD Vance’s Power Network: How Theo Bros and Tech Bros Are Teaming Up Against Democracy
Journalist Gil Duran explores the strange alliance between JD Vance, Silicon Valley and Christian Nationalists. Experts say they are converging on the same anti-democratic playbook. From the Seven Mountains Mandate to "Network State" projects like Highland Rim, we expose how figures like JD Vance, Peter Thiel, and Doug Wilson are planning a theocratic-technocratic future. Gil Duran speaks with Prof. Matthew Boedy, author of "The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy": Buy it here: https://www.wjkbooks.com/bookproduct/0664269214-the-seven-mountains-mandate/ And Kiera Butler of Mother Jones, a national correspondent at Mother Jones. https://www.motherjones.com/author/kiera-butler/ Read: Christian Theo Bros Are Building a Tech Utopia in Appalachia: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/04/christian-theobros-are-building-a-tech-utopia-in-appalachia/ Please Pre-Order Gil Duran's new book, "The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and The War on Democracy." https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Nerd-Reich/Gil-Duran/9781668221402 Subscribe to The Nerd Reich newsletter: https://www.thenerdreich.com/ Follow Gil on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gilduran.com Follow Matthew Boedy on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/matthewboedy.bsky.social Follow Kiera Butler on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kieraevebutler.bsky.social #jdvance #project2025 #tech #politics #siliconvalley #billionaire #christian #christianity #peterthiel #democracy #podcast #religion #charliekirk
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4 weeks ago
1 hour 7 minutes

The Nerd Reich
'Fentanyl Capitalism': How Tech Venture Capital Is Eating the World | Catherine Bracy x Gil Duran
Silicon Valley sold us the dream of saving the world—but what if the system funding that dream is the real problem? In this explosive episode of the Nerd Reich Podcast, host Gil Duran sits down with Catherine Bracey, founder of Tech Equity Collaborative and author of "World Eaters: How Venture Capital Is Cannibalizing the Economy." Together they unpack “fentanyl capitalism”—the idea that if capitalism is heroin, venture capital is its far more potent and dangerous form. From the whaling origins of VC to blitzscaling, MAGA politics, and Silicon Valley’s god complex, Bracy explains how tech’s obsession with unicorns, power laws, and exits is warping innovation, democracy, and faith itself. 00:00 Intro – Why VC is Fentanyl Capitalism 04:20 The Whaling Origins of Venture Capital 09:40 Blitzscaling & the Psychology of Unicorns 17:30 VC Meets MAGA Politics 26:00 Hereticon, Antichrist & Tech’s Spiritual Crisis 28:40 Can We Fix It or Let It Burn? 33:00 Lightning Round & Final Words of Wisdom 📚 Buy "World Eaters" → https://bookshop.org/p/books/world-eaters-how-venture-capital-is-cannibalizing-the-economy-catherine-bracy/ff2a78cff5580674?ean=9780593473481&next=t 💌 Subscribe → http://www.thenerdreich.com #tech #venturecapital #SiliconValley #WorldEaters #TechEquity #FentanylCapitalism #PeterThiel #AndreessenHorowitz #Politics #AI #Neoliberalism #podcast
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2 months ago
34 minutes

The Nerd Reich
The Woman Who Predicted Tech Fascism — Paulina Borsook Was Right
Tech fascism didn’t rise in secret — it grew in plain sight. Why didn't we stop it? In this episode of The Nerd Reich Podcast, host Gil Duran speaks with legendary tech critic Paulina Borsook, author of Cyberselfish, the prophetic book that warned about the rise of Silicon Valley authoritarianism decades before Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and the far-right tech elite took power. We dive deep into how Silicon Valley’s toxic libertarianism evolved into a global far-right propaganda machine, why tech journalists failed to sound the alarm, and what happens next as AI, surveillance, and billionaire power reshape democracy. 🔥 Chapters & Highlights:00:00 – Tech Fascism 101: How Silicon Valley Went Authoritarian07:15 – The Forgotten Prophet: Paulina Borsook and Cyberselfish20:30 – Why Journalists Worshipped Tech Billionaires35:00 – Elon Musk’s X and the Global Far-Right Network48:50 – The Masculinity Problem in Tech1:02:00 – Can Democracy Survive Tech Fascism? 💬 Join the conversation in the comments:Why did the media fail to warn us about tech fascism? How do we stop the tech billionaires now? Please Support Paulina Borsook: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-paulina-disabled-writer-artist-and-activist 📖 Read Gil Duran’s work → http://www.thenerdreich.com #tech #TechFascism #ElonMusk #PaulinaBorsook #SiliconValley #PeterThiel #AI #Politics #podcast #technology
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2 months ago
36 minutes

The Nerd Reich
Project 2025, Silicon Valley & the Tech's War on Democracy | The Nerd Reich Podcast Mailbag
What happens when Project 2025, Silicon Valley, and AI collide? In this Nerd Reich Mailbag episode, host Gil Duran sits down with Brooke Harrington (author of "Offshore: Stealth Wealth and The New Colonialism) and Adam Becker (author of "More Everything Forever") to answer listener questions about authoritarianism, AI power, and the new tech-driven assault on democracy. 🔥 Topics include: How Project 2025 was planned like a “war against America” The rise of the Tech Right — Musk, Thiel, and the Silicon Valley elite How AI and algorithms are reshaping politics and power The “Dark Enlightenment” and the anti-human turn in tech Why dystopian science fiction was supposed to be a warning — not a blueprint This episode is part political analysis, part cultural autopsy — and a call to understand how authoritarianism is accelerating in the digital age. 🎙️ Featuring: Brooke Harrington — Professor of Economic Sociology, Dartmouth College Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ebharrington.bsky.social Adam Becker — Astrophysicist & author of "More Everything Forever" Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/adambecker.bsky.social Gil Duran — Host. Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gilduran.com Follow on X: https://x.com/gilduran76?lang=en R.R. Robbins — Producer 📧 Subscribe to the Nerd Reich newsletter → http://www.thenerdreich.com 💬 Leave a comment — your question might be in the next Mailbag episode! #Project2025 #AI #tech #siliconvalley #elonmusk #peterthiel #Authoritarianism #SiliconValley #TechRight #PoliticalPodcast #crypto #podcast #politics #sciencefiction
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3 months ago
46 minutes

The Nerd Reich
The Antichrist Playbook: Peter Thiel & Silicon Valley Apocalypse Hype
What’s behind Silicon Valley’s sudden obsession with the Antichrist, demons, and apocalypse? Why is Peter Thiel launching a secret four-part lecture series on the Antichrist—and why are figures like Nicole Shanahan calling Burning Man “demonic”?   We pull back the curtain with two heavyweight thinkers:   • Dr. Robert Fuller, author of "Naming the Antichrist: The History of an American Obsession," on how U.S. culture keeps resurrecting the Antichrist meme—and why it turns political debate into a zero-sum holy war.   • Dr. Matthew Fox, renowned theologian and creator of the creation spirituality movement, on how apocalyptic language is being weaponized—and what authentic spirituality asks of us today.   You’ll learn: What the Bible actually says (and doesn’t) about the “Antichrist.”   How the Antichrist fused with the “Beast” of Revelation in popular imagination.   Why apocalyptic rhetoric moves crowds, fuels polarization, and excuses extremism.   How tech billionaires’ “religious” branding intersects with power, media, and regulation.   Practical ways to de-mystify doomsday talk and re-center ethics, empathy, and democracy.   SUBSCRIBE to the Nerd Reich Newsletter for more hard-hitting exposés: http://www.thenerdreich.com   Follow Gil Duran on social media:   X: https://x.com/gilduran76?lang=en BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/gilduran.com   #PeterThiel #siliconvalley #antichrist #apocalypse #endtimes #jesus #jesuschrist #bible #biblestudy #tech #burningman #Religion #tech #technology #AI #demons #christianity #christian #BiblicalProphecy #PoliticalTheology #MatthewFox #RobertFuller #TechBillionaires #apocalypse #NerdReich #armageddon
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4 months ago
52 minutes

The Nerd Reich
Mark Zuckerberg’s $300M Doomsday Fortress: Bunkers, Burial Grounds & Big Tech’s Apocalypse Plan
Why is Mark Zuckerberg building a $300 million mansion fortress on Kauai with underground bunkers, blast-proof doors, and room for over 100 people? In this episode of the Nerd Reich Podcast, host Gil Duran is joined by journalists Guthrie Scrimgeour and Taylor Lorenz to unpack the chilling reality of Silicon Valley’s “apocalypse insurance.” We dive into: How Zuckerberg’s compound resembles a classified military installation The controversy over Native Hawaiian burial grounds The secret NDAs silencing hundreds of local workers Why tech billionaires are obsessed with doomsday prepping The cult-like mentality fueling digital feudalism and “network states” AI, wealth inequality, and the future these billionaires are really preparing for From Peter Thiel’s New Zealand hideout to Sam Altman’s Big Sur escape plan, we explore why the same people promising a tech utopia are building escape routes from the society they helped create.   SUBSCRIBE to the Nerd Reich Newsletter: https://www.thenerdreich.com/ Follow Gil Duran on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/gilduran.com Follow Taylor Lorenz on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE to User Mag https://www.usermag.co/ Follow Guthrie Scrimgeour on Twitter: https://x.com/g_scrimgeour Read his stories at Wired: https://www.wired.com/author/guthrie-scrimgeour/ Chapters: 00:00 Intro – Zuckerberg’s Hawaiian fortress revealed 02:04 How Wired uncovered the $300M bunker 06:40 Surveillance, secrecy & “Fight Club” rules for workers 09:07 Burial grounds and Native Hawaiian land rights 13:38 The tech bro “apocalypse insurance” trend 17:39 Cult-like Silicon Valley communities 22:15 Billionaire separation vs. public “connection” 24:22 Digital feudalism in action 26:45 AI optimism vs. bunker paranoia 31:27 When AI replaces local journalists 37:00 Substack’s Nazi newsletter scandal 40:11 Closing thoughts 💬 Join the conversation: Do you think tech billionaires are paranoid geniuses… or planning for a future they helped break? Comment below. #markzuckerberg #zuckerberg #politics #doomsdaypreppers #doomsday #prepper #Hawaii #TaylorLorenz #siliconvalley #apocalypse #tech #facebook #ai #hawaii #podcast
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5 months ago
41 minutes

The Nerd Reich
Crypto vs Democracy: How Bitcoin Billionaires Are Buying Congress w/ Molly White and Dave Troy
Is crypto just digital money—or a tool to undermine American democracy?In this explosive debut episode of the Nerd Reich Podcast, host Gil Duran is joined by crypto critics Molly White (Web3 Is Going Just Great) and Dave Troy (America 2.0) to expose the political underbelly of cryptocurrency—and how it's infiltrating both parties in Washington. We dig deep into: 🚨The ideological roots of crypto in anti-government extremism💰 How billionaires like Brian Armstrong (Coinbase) are pushing the "Network State"- The real goals of the crypto industry: regulatory capture, wealth concentration, and societal control- The so-called "Crypto Corruption Bill" (GENIUS Act) and its bipartisan backers- Why Democrats like Adam Schiff, Alex Padilla, and Ruben Gallego are joining the crypto cult- Geopolitical chaos: how crypto enables Russia, North Korea, and economic destabilization - And why we may be eventually heading toward a new financial collapse — unless we act now "Crypto isn't just about money. It's about power — and who gets to control the future." 🧠 This episode features critical insights from two of the sharpest crypto skeptics in the game: Molly White – https://web3isgoinggreat.com and https://www.citationneeded.news/ Dave Troy – https://america2.news/ 🎧 Subscribe to the NerdReich Podcast for fearless commentary on tech, politics, and power.💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments — or tell us what we should expose next. 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED: “Paranoia on Parade” by Dave Troy https://washingtonspectator.org/paranoia-on-parade/  State Power Sponsored by Coinbase (Molly White): https://www.citationneeded.news/issue-86/ European Central Bank report on crypto's systemic risk: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/financial-stability-publications/fsr/special/html/ecb.fsrart202505_01~62255f2625.en.html The Network State/Balaji Srinivasan: https://www.thenerdreich.com/balaji-srinivasans-gray-vision-for-san-francisco/ Brian Armstrong/Coinbase: https://www.thenerdreich.com/cryptos-destiny-brian-armstrong-coinbase/ #Crypto #Politics #Bitcoin #Stablecoins #NetworkState #Coinbase #tech #siliconvalley #Trump
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6 months ago
58 minutes 19 seconds

The Nerd Reich
Empire of AI: Karen Hao & Roger McNamee Expose Sam Altman, Musk & Big Tech
Are today’s AI apps like ChatGPT really weapons that hand more power to tech billionaires? Journalist Karen Hao (author, "Empire of AI: Dreams, Nightmares & Sam Altman’s OpenAI") and legendary tech investor-turned-watchdog Roger McNamee join Gil Duran to pull back the curtain on: Sam Altman, Elon Musk and the quest for AI dominance OpenAI’s hidden cost: Kenyan moderators paid poverty wages to sift horrific content Digital colonialism from Africa to Chile to Arizona Why U.S. lawmakers keep killing real AI regulation State power + tech power: the new “British East India Company” playbook Follow Karen Hao on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/karenhao.bsky.social Follow Roger McNamee on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/moonalice.com Buy "Empire of AI" at Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/empire-o... Subscribe to The Nerd Reich Newsletter: https://www.thenerdreich.com Intro – Are AI apps tools or weapons? Guest introductions: Karen Hao & Roger McNamee join the show Hidden labor :The exploited Kenyan content moderators behind OpenAI Historical pivot: How Silicon Valley shifted from empowerment to extraction Sam Altman deep-dive: The persuasion playbook driving OpenAI’s rise Power grabs: Altman, Musk & Zuckerberg chase direct political influence Digital colonialism: Data centers, water rights, and the new empire model Empire mechanics: Four pillars that let Big Tech consolidate control “Fruit of a poisoned tree”: Why today’s GenAI is fundamentally compromised Reckoning ahead?: Can the AI empire be stopped or reined in? Ground-level hope: Grassroots resistance and community wins #tech #ai #aihype #samaltman #elonmusk #podcast #politics #zuckerberg #markzuckerberg #openai #chatgpt
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7 months ago
1 hour 51 seconds

The Nerd Reich
Here’s Why Elon Musk’s Mars Fantasy Is BS | Scientist Destroys Billionaire AI, AGI and Space Hype
Silicon Valley billionaires like AI Musk say they’ll save the world with AI, Mars colonies and eternal life. Astrophysicist Adam Becker says they’re dead wrong. In this explosive interview on The Nerd Reich podcast Becker—author of More Everything Forever—calls out Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and the tech overlord cult pushing fantasies of immortality, godlike AGI, and space empires. From the myth of the singularity to the hellish reality of Mars, Becker brings the receipts and destroys the pseudo-science behind billionaire techno-utopianism. 🌍 Why Mars is hell and NOT a backup plan for Earth 🧠 Why AGI is more religion than science 💀 Why tech bros fear death—and want to make us all pay for it 📉 The terrifying ideology behind AI hype, space colonization & transhumanism 👉 Watch this now if you're tired of being sold the future by men who think they’re gods. 🎙️ Hosted by Gil Duran: https://bsky.app/profile/gilduran.com 📘 Get Adam Becker’s book: More Everything Forever: AI Overlords, Space Empires, and Silicon Valley's Crusade to Control the Fate of Humanity https://bookshop.org/p/books/more-everything-forever-ai-overlords-space-empires-and-silicon-valley-s-crusade-to-control-the-fate-of-humanity-adam-becker/21451550?ean=9781541619593&next=t Follow Adam Becker on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/adambecker.bsky.social 🔥 Subscribe to Nerd Reich for real talk on tech, politics & the future: https://www.thenerdreich.com/ #ElonMusk #SamAltman #mars #Transhumanism #AGI #singularity #AdamBecker #Tech #politics #ai #futuretech #space #spaceexploration 
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7 months ago
46 minutes 9 seconds

The Nerd Reich
5. Silicon Valley's Scary New Tech Religion: TESCREAL
In Episode 5 of The Nerd Reich, Gil Duran, Rev. Otis Moss III, and Dr. Emile Torres unravel the terrifying rise of a new techno-religion sweeping Silicon Valley: TESCREAL — a powerful and unsettling fusion of Transhumanism, Extropianism, Singularitarianism, Cosmism, Rationalism, Effective Altruism, and Long-termism. This episode exposes how these ideologies promise utopia but often mask colonial mindsets, moral blind spots, and a dangerous disregard for human dignity. From the quest for digital immortality to space colonization dreams, these techno-beliefs are shaping a future that may sacrifice the present, exclude the marginalized, and idolize technology over love and ethics. Subscribe to the Nerd Reich for more: https://www.thenerdreich.com/ 🧠 Key Themes: The cult of the singularity and its apocalyptic vision How “rational” thinking leads to ethical absurdities Why tech billionaires are building a new secular eschatology The real cost of prioritizing “future lives” over real people The beauty and burden of being human Love as resistance to empire, exclusion, and algorithmic control 💬 Quotes That Hit Hard: “Their dark gospel has a name: TESCREAL.” “They believe they can transcend humanity with technology.” “Marginalized communities will be marginalized even more.” “Love undermines empires. Love hacks the algorithm.” This is not just a critique of tech ideology — it’s a call to reclaim our humanity, challenge techno-colonial narratives, and build a future grounded in ethics, inclusion, and love. 👉 Subscribe, comment, and share if you're ready to confront the myths of Silicon Valley and defend the dignity of the present. #TESCREAL #Transhumanism #Tech #TheNerdReich #SiliconValley #Podcast #EffectiveAltruism #Longtermism #ElonMusk
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7 months ago
1 hour 10 minutes 8 seconds

The Nerd Reich
Why I Quit the LA Times Editorial Board | Billionaires, Journalism & Integrity (Feat. Mariel Garza)
In this compelling episode of the Nerd Reich Podcast, host Gil Duran talks with veteran journalist Mariel Garza about her courageous decision to resign from the LA Times after billionaire owner Patrick Soon-Shiong blocked the endorsement of Kamala Harris. Garza reveals the behind-the-scenes drama, discusses the ethical challenges of billionaire-owned media, and shares powerful insights on standing up for integrity in journalism. From hopeful beginnings at the LA Times to her shocking departure and reflections on billionaire influence in the media, this conversation explores the high stakes of maintaining editorial independence in an increasingly polarized world. #Journalism #LATimes  #PressFreedom #KamalaHarris #Politics
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8 months ago
27 minutes 18 seconds

The Nerd Reich
From Mavericks to Mouthpieces: How Tech Billionaires Broke Journalism (with Eoin Higgins)
In Episode 3 of the Nerd Reich podcast, Gil Duran and journalist Eoin Higgins unpack the growing influence of tech billionaires over modern media. Based on Higgins’ explosive book "Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voices on the Left," the conversation exposes how figures like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and Marc Andreessen are not just funding platforms—they're reshaping public discourse and redefining journalism itself. They explore how journalists like Glenn Greenwald and Matt Taibbi shifted toward right-wing platforms, chasing influence and profit amid a changing media ecosystem. From the weaponization of “free speech” to the hypocrisy of Silicon Valley libertarianism, Duran and Higgins confront the dangerous feedback loop between wealth, ideology, and media control. This episode is a deep dive into how billionaires are buying silence, reshaping narratives, and threatening the foundations of democratic discourse.  Key Takeaways: Owned reveals how right-wing tech billionaires bought influence and suppressed dissent. The transformations of Glenn Greenwald and Matt Taibbi mirror larger media trends. Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover reshaped global information flow. Peter Thiel’s media investments are strategic tools of influence. “Free speech” is being weaponized to protect reactionary politics. Traditional journalism is being eclipsed by billionaire-funded alternatives. The myth of objectivity is eroding in a hyper-politicized media landscape. The future of journalism is at a crossroads—and public vigilance is critical.    
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9 months ago
44 minutes 15 seconds

The Nerd Reich
2. The Dark Power of David Sacks: How Tech Elites Fuel Authoritarian Politics
In this episode of The Nerd Reich, Gil Duran joins Jacob Silverman and Kate Willett to unpack the rise of David Sacks, Trump’s so-called “Crypto and AI Czar,” and his ties to the PayPal mafia. They explore how tech elites like Sacks are reshaping politics through authoritarian ideology, crypto power plays, and control over public discourse.
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9 months ago
54 minutes 41 seconds

The Nerd Reich
1. The Network State with Brooke Harrington and Dave Karpf
In the explosive first episode of The Nerd Reich podcast, host Gil Duran teams up with economic sociologist Brooke Harrington and internet politics expert Dave Karpf to decode the alarming rise of "network states." They're diving deep into how tech billionaires like Elon Musk are trying to dismantle traditional governance to create their own power structures through crypto and artificial intelligence. They discuss the hidden dangers behind AI-driven governance, the disturbing intersection of wealth and political influence, and why understanding human behavior through humanities matters now more than ever. Plus, they share bold predictions about where tech authoritarianism is heading and reveal powerful strategies for resisting the growing control of billionaire tech elites. Don't miss this essential conversation about the fight for democracy's future! Mentioned in this Episode: The Nerd Reich Newsletter: http://www.thenerdreich.com Dave Karpf's scathing review of the Network State book: "The Tech Barons have a blueprint drawn in crayon. They have not thought any of this through." https://davekarpf.substack.com/p/the-... Brooke Harrington's book, "Offshore: Stealth Wealth and the New Colonialism" https://bookshop.org/p/books/offshore...   Takeaways: The network state aims to replace democratic institutions with tech-driven governance. Tech billionaires are concentrating power in their hands under the guise of innovation. Historical attempts at reconfiguring power have often exploited vulnerable nations. Crypto is seen as a tool to undermine the nation-state's power. The Supreme Court's decisions have exacerbated the influence of money in politics. The network state movement reflects a desire to weaken government and labor. The ideological fervor of tech billionaires can be likened to a religious belief. Everyday people may face a future of broken systems and governance by subscription. Being a billionaire can warp your mental health and perception of reality. Democracy is fragile and currently facing significant challenges. AI governance raises concerns about efficiency and human oversight. The humanities provide essential insights into human behavior and decision-making. Small acts of rebellion can effectively challenge powerful institutions. The importance of storytelling in shaping a better future is crucial. We must critically examine the definition of efficiency in governance. Public protests and ridicule can serve as powerful tools against the elite. The need for a recommitment to democracy and public service is urgent.
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10 months ago
58 minutes 5 seconds

The Nerd Reich
Coming Soon: The Nerd Reich Podcast
Gil Duran announces the forthcoming Nerd Reich podcast about tech billionaire politics and the takeover of the United States government.
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10 months ago
1 minute 5 seconds

The Nerd Reich
The Nerd Reich with Gil Duran a podcast about Silicon Valley politics and power—who holds it, how they use it, and how the unchecked influence of tech billionaires threatens democracy. Subscribe to the Nerd Reich newsletter: http://www.thenerdreich.com The Nerd Reich investigates the rise of Silicon Valley’s ruling class, the Network State cult, and the crypto-fueled push to undermine democratic government. From billionaire-backed disinformation to AI-driven control systems, we expose how tech elites are reshaping society in their image—concentrating wealth, destabilizing institutions, and eroding public trust. The Nerd Reich with Gil Duran breaks down how crypto scams, surveillance capitalism, and digital authoritarianism are accelerating the decline of democratic governance. If you care about power, politics, and the future of truth itself—this is the podcast you need to hear.