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/
@Richard_Littler I've started calling him Sauron.
@VerenaRupp @Richard_Littler That would be an insult to Sauron.
@thaodan @Richard_Littler But that name literally means "abhorrent".
@VerenaRupp @Richard_Littler It does but it doesn't give Sauron enough credit as Sauron i seems to be more cunning and intelligent then whatever Herr Thiel is.