Richard Littler2d ago
Just rewatched Lord of the Rings. I'd forgotten that Sauron's seeing-stone is called Palantir. So, democracy-sceptic, demon-believing Peter Thiel names his company (and models its logo?) after a device that allows an all-seeing evil eye to "broadcast propaganda" and control what people can and can't see in the service of malevolence... And the UK gov thought: "Yes, let's hire that company to look after our defence, policing, financial and health systems"?
https://www.reuters.com/technology/uk-lawmakers-call-palantirs-role-public-sector-an-unacceptable-weakness-2026-06-02/
Show threadBill

@Richard_Littler And Thiel isn't being ha ha funny or anything. He's a robot, the name just makes sense. That description exactly fits it.

Thanks for saying something, the more people who know the better for all of us.

Jun 7 at 1:44pmWeb
Show threadᴮᵉⁿ ᴿᵒʸᶜᵉVOTE IN THE PRIMARIES2d ago

@Sempf @Richard_Littler

your occasional reminder that "Peter Thiel" is an anagram of "The Reptile"

make of that what you will

#Palantir #Thiel #PeterThiel

Show threadEpistomai2d ago
@benroyce @Sempf @Richard_Littler so he's more like Voldemort and not like Sauron?
Show threadᴮᵉⁿ ᴿᵒʸᶜᵉVOTE IN THE PRIMARIES2d ago

@epistomai @Sempf @Richard_Littler

i don't follow you

who are you talking about?

are you referring to Tom Marvolo Riddle?

i don't see any connection

(/s)

Show threadEpistomai2d ago

@benroyce @Sempf @Richard_Littler it's a fan/nerd joke. Palantir is from lord of the rings' lore, Voldemort from Harry Potter. Voldemort could speak with serpents, and shaped as a viper kinda monster.

I'm only fan of Tolkien

Show threadᴮᵉⁿ ᴿᵒʸᶜᵉVOTE IN THE PRIMARIES2d ago

@epistomai @Sempf @Richard_Littler

oh yes i got you

the (/s) denotes sarcasm, i was playing stupid

i mean, i'm also genuinely stupid, but i was also playing stupid

(/s)

Show threadEpistomai2d ago
@benroyce @Sempf @Richard_Littler my bad, didn't read the rest