Tag: BBC

Horizon Accord | AI Coordination | Alt-Right | Machine Learning

AI Narrative Coordination with Alt-Right Networks: Pattern Documentation

Executive Summary

Documented evidence reveals sophisticated funding and ideological coordination between anti-democratic political movements and AI safety research institutions. This coordination operates through narrative convergence rather than direct conspiracy – the same networks fund both alt-right politics AND AI safety research, creating aligned messaging without requiring explicit coordination.

Key Finding: Legitimate anti-surveillance journalists like Kashmir Hill unknowingly amplify coordinated narratives by relying on “expert sources” funded by the same networks they should be investigating.

Primary Funding Network Convergence

Peter Thiel’s Dual Investment Strategy

“Peter Thiel funds Curtis Yarvin’s anti-democratic ideology while simultaneously funding AI safety research” Multiple Sources, 2006-2025
Timeline: 2006 – Thiel begins funding MIRI ($1M+), 2013 – Funds Yarvin’s Tlon Corp, 2015 – Early OpenAI investor

“In 2006, Thiel provided $100,000 of matching funds to back the Singularity Challenge donation drive of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute” Wikipedia – Peter Thiel, January 2025
Timeline: 2006-2013 – Thiel Foundation donated over $1 million to MIRI (Eliezer Yudkowsky’s organization)

“The movement has been funded by tech billionaires, most notably ex-Meta board member Peter Thiel” Daily Maverick, October 27, 2024
Timeline: 2022-2024 – Thiel funds “New Right” movement including Curtis Yarvin

Cross-Movement Funding Patterns

“Effective Altruism movement channels $500+ million into AI safety ecosystem” AI Panic News, December 5, 2023
Timeline: 2017-2025 – Open Philanthropy distributes $330M+ to AI x-risk organizations

“Same billionaire network supports both Trump administration and AI governance institutions” Rolling Stone, February 23, 2025
Timeline: 2024-2025 – Thiel, Musk, Andreessen fund both political campaigns and AI research organizations

Ideological Alignment Patterns

Anti-Democratic Convergence

“Curtis Yarvin advocates ‘governance by tech CEOs’ replacing democracy” New Republic, September 8, 2024
Timeline: 2007-2025 – Yarvin’s “Dark Enlightenment” philosophy promotes corporate dictatorship

“AI Safety movement promotes ‘expert governance’ over democratic technology decisions” Reason Magazine, July 5, 2024
Timeline: 2020-2025 – EA-backed organizations push regulatory frameworks with minimal democratic oversight

Political Influence Network

“JD Vance cites Curtis Yarvin while advocating ‘fire all government employees'” Newsweek, January 18, 2025
Timeline: 2021 – Vance publicly references Yarvin’s RAGE (Retire All Government Employees) proposal

“Political strategist Steve Bannon has read and admired his work. Vice President JD Vance ‘has cited Yarvin as an influence himself'” Wikipedia – Curtis Yarvin, January 11, 2025
Timeline: 2021-2025 – Yarvin’s influence documented in Trump administration

Media Coordination Through Expert Ecosystem

The Kashmir Hill – Eliezer Yudkowsky Connection

“Kashmir Hill interviews Eliezer Yudkowsky for ChatGPT psychosis article” New York Times, June 13, 2025
Timeline: June 13, 2025 – Hill features Yudkowsky prominently in article about AI-induced mental health crises

“‘What does a human slowly going insane look like to a corporation? It looks like an additional monthly user,’ Yudkowsky said in an interview” The Star, June 16, 2025
Timeline: Hill’s article amplifies Yudkowsky’s narrative about AI engagement optimization

The Hidden Funding Connection

“Peter Thiel had provided the seed money that allowed the company to sprout” Rolling Stone excerpt from “Your Face Belongs to Us”, September 25, 2023
Timeline: 2018-2019 – Hill documents Thiel’s $200,000 investment in Clearview AI in her book

“Peter Thiel has funded MIRI (Yudkowsky) with $1M+ since 2006” Multiple Sources, 2006-2025
Timeline: Same Thiel who funds Yarvin also funds Yudkowsky’s AI safety research

The Sophisticated Coordination Pattern

Why Hill Supports Yudkowsky:

  • Surface Alignment: Both appear critical of “big tech AI development”
  • Expert Credibility: Yudkowsky positioned as leading AI safety researcher with technical background
  • Narrative Fit: Provides compelling quotes about AI companies prioritizing engagement over safety
  • Institutional Legitimacy: Founded MIRI, cited in academic papers

What Hill Misses:

  • Funding Source: Yudkowsky’s MIRI funded by same Peter Thiel who funds Curtis Yarvin
  • Network Coordination: Same funders across seemingly opposing political and AI safety movements
  • Strategic Function: “AI safety” arguments used to justify regulatory frameworks that serve control narratives

The Mechanism:

  1. Fund Expert Ecosystem: Thiel → MIRI → Yudkowsky’s credibility
  2. Journalists Quote Experts: Hill needs credible sources → quotes Yudkowsky
  3. Legitimize Narratives: Hill’s NYT platform gives mainstream credibility to AI danger narratives
  4. No Direct Coordination Needed: Market incentives align interests across domains

Institutional Positioning Timeline

OpenAI Governance Crisis

“Effective Altruism members Helen Toner and Tasha McCauley positioned on OpenAI board during governance crisis” Semafor, November 21, 2023
Timeline: November 2023 – Board attempts to remove Sam Altman over safety concerns

“Peter Thiel warned Sam Altman about EA ‘programming’ influence before OpenAI crisis” The Decoder, March 30, 2025
Timeline: Pre-November 2023 – Thiel specifically mentioned Eliezer Yudkowsky’s influence

Research Timing Coordination

“Anthropic releases ‘AI scheming’ research during political transition period” LessWrong, August 6, 2025
Timeline: August 2025 – Research on AI deception published as Trump administration takes shape

“Eliezer Yudkowsky questions Anthropic’s ‘scheming’ research timing after reporter inquiry” LessWrong, August 6, 2025
Timeline: August 6, 2025 – Yudkowsky responds to apparent coordination of AI danger narratives

Controlled Opposition Analysis

The Clearview AI Case Study

“Hill’s Clearview exposé led to restrictions on that specific company” Multiple Sources, 2020-2024
Timeline: Hill’s reporting resulted in lawsuits, regulations, public backlash against Clearview

“BUT Thiel’s main surveillance investment is Palantir (much larger, government contracts)” Multiple Sources, 2003-2025
Timeline: Palantir continues operating with billions in government contracts while Clearview faces restrictions

The Strategic Effect:

  • Small Investment Sacrificed: Thiel’s $200K Clearview investment exposed and restricted
  • Large Investment Protected: Thiel’s Palantir (billions in value) operates without equivalent scrutiny
  • Market Benefits: Regulation helps established surveillance players vs startup competitors
  • Narrative Management: Demonstrates “the system works” while preserving core surveillance infrastructure

How Legitimate Journalism Serves Coordination

The Process:

  1. Genuine Journalist: Kashmir Hill legitimately opposes surveillance and tech harms
  2. Expert Sources: Relies on “credentialed experts” like Yudkowsky for technical authority
  3. Hidden Funding: Doesn’t investigate that her sources are funded by networks she should scrutinize
  4. Narrative Amplification: Her authentic reporting legitimizes coordinated messaging
  5. Regulatory Capture: Results in regulations that serve coordinated interests

Why This Works:

  • No Conspiracy Required: Market incentives align interests without direct coordination
  • Legitimacy Maintained: Hill’s independence makes her criticism more credible
  • Beat Limitations: Tech harm coverage vs political funding treated as separate domains
  • Time Pressure: Breaking news requires quick access to “expert” quotes

Cross-Network Analysis

Funding Trail Convergence

Peter Thiel Investment Pattern:

  • 2006-2013: $1M+ to MIRI (Eliezer Yudkowsky)
  • 2013: Funding to Tlon Corp (Curtis Yarvin)
  • 2015: Early OpenAI investment
  • 2018-2019: $200K to Clearview AI (exposed by Kashmir Hill)
  • 2024: $15M to JD Vance Senate campaign

Effective Altruism Ecosystem:

  • $500M+ total investment in AI safety field
  • Open Philanthropy: $330M+ to AI x-risk organizations
  • Creates “expert” ecosystem that shapes media coverage

Ideological Bridge Points

“Alignment” Terminology Overlap:

  • AI Safety: “Aligning AI systems with human values”
  • Yarvin Politics: “Aligning government with rational governance”

Expert Governance Themes:

  • AI Safety: Technical experts should control AI development
  • Yarvin: Tech CEOs should replace democratic institutions

Anti-Democratic Skepticism:

  • AI Safety: Democratic processes too slow for AI governance
  • Yarvin: Democracy is “failed experiment” to be replaced

Timeline Synthesis

2006-2013: Foundation Phase

  • Thiel begins funding both MIRI and later Yarvin
  • AI safety and neo-reactionary movements develop with shared funding

2014-2020: Growth Phase

  • Both movements gain institutional backing
  • Hill begins exposing tech surveillance (including Thiel’s Clearview investment)
  • Expert ecosystem develops around AI safety

2021-2023: Positioning Phase

  • EA members join OpenAI board
  • Yarvin-influenced figures enter politics
  • Hill’s Clearview reporting leads to targeted restrictions

2024-2025: Narrative Convergence Phase

  • Trump election with Yarvin-influenced VP
  • Hill amplifies Yudkowsky’s AI danger narratives
  • Yudkowsky questions Anthropic research timing
  • Coordinated messaging without direct coordination

Pattern Assessment

The documented evidence reveals sophisticated narrative convergence rather than direct conspiracy:

  1. Funding Network Overlap: Same sources fund anti-democratic politics AND AI safety research
  2. Expert Ecosystem Control: Funding shapes who becomes “credible expert” sources for journalists
  3. Media Amplification: Legitimate journalists unknowingly amplify coordinated narratives
  4. Strategic Coordination: Market incentives align interests without requiring explicit coordinatin.
  5. Regulatory Capture: Results benefit coordinated networks while appearing to hold them accountable

Key Insight: This pattern shows how sophisticated influence operations work in modern media – fund the expert ecosystem, let journalists naturally quote those experts for legitimacy, and genuine journalism becomes the delivery mechanism for coordinated narratives.

Conclusion: While direct coordination cannot be definitively proven without internal communications, the pattern of funding, expert positioning, media amplification, and narrative timing strongly suggests strategic coordination between anti-democratic political networks and AI narrative control efforts through sophisticated “controlled opposition” mechanisms.

This analysis is based on publicly available, verifiable information and does not make claims about specific outcomes beyond documented patterns. The focus is on understanding how legitimate anti-surveillance concerns may be exploited by coordinated networks seeking to control AI development for anti-democratic purposes.

Infographic depicting interconnected funding and narrative flows centered on Peter Thiel, with golden lines to Curtis Yarvin, MIRI/Yudkowsky, JD Vance, and a crossed-out Clearview AI node. From MIRI/Yudkowsky, an information line leads to Kashmir Hill/NYT, which broadcasts to a public narrative cloud. A dotted line links Thiel to Hill, indicating a hidden funding connection. Background shows a dim democratic town hall on one side and a bright corporate boardroom on the other, with floating text fragments such as “AI Safety,” “Expert Sources,” and “Narrative Convergence.”
A visual map showing how funding from Peter Thiel flows to political figures, AI safety organizations, and surveillance tech companies, connecting through expert ecosystems to influence public narratives—often without direct coordination.
Posted on by Cherokee S. 0

Irresponsible ads are contributing to child mortality rates.

As a person who commutes solely by bicycle, I am shocked by the inundation of auto ads on T.V. and in my social media news feed.

Maybe it is because I live a auto free life that I notice the frequency of the ads?

I’ve spent a great deal of time educating myself on safety and laws which govern our use of public space. I even have some nifty certifications to show for all that time spent.

CBmSyxLUgAA6fev

 

People are being injured and killed at an alarming rate. Traffic fatalities fall in 2014, but early estimates show 2015 trending higher.

Though this isn’t anything new, since the inception of the automobile the death toll has been catastrophic. Americans have recognized the dangers of high auto speeds. It’s a universal knowledge that speed kills. Yet it is often the last reason cited in traffic collision reports. There was a time when people tried to mandate the use of governors to effectively reduce the operating speeds of motor vehicles. Auto manufacturers were understandably alarmed.
Higher awareness about the inherent dangers of speed meant less product sold. Or maybe it was that fewer people would crash and destroy their auto thus requiring the purchase of a new auto?
Either way a slick propaganda campaign was implemented and people were convinced that this was an end to their personal freedom. Never mind the freedom of everyone else.

Companies, such as AAA, which today are known for their emphasis on safety were behind the push to force pedestrians and bicycles off the road.

AAA and other auto clubs turned first to the younger generation, financing safety education programs in the public schools that were designed to teach children that streets are for cars, not for kids. “The Invention of Jaywalking.”

The product, and the financial gains to be had from it, were the driving force behind the movement to all but eliminate the competition.

Once the landscape had been cleared of obstacles, figuratively and literally, the motor manufacturers were free to irresponsibly sell product.
The advertisements were focused on economy, durability, and reliance.
They emphasised the manliness of auto owners and their ability to “Wow” the ladies. One advert emphasised their auto as being so easy “Women and children can safely use it.”, another calls their auto the “Boss of the Road” and “So simple that a boy of 15 can run it.”

1903_Fordmobile_Ad

Motor ads were not responsible in the advertisement of their products. They had one mission in mind, to sell as many autos as possible. No matter the cost to human lives.
That cost was excessive. Upto 55,000 people were killed per year by autos. That’s an epidemic!

When faced with a health crisis of these proportions, we take action. Yet we have largely overlooked the consummate dangers to public health by turning a blind eye to auto ads.

We banned ads for cigarettes, as public awareness grew over the dangers of smoking to the public. Big tobacco companies were pushing their product on unsuspecting consumers.

By banning ads for cigarettes public health interests, like W.H.O., have effectively reduced the incidence of smoking. This is an important beginning step to eliminating an expensive and destructive bad habit. The costs of which affect the user individually and the public as a whole. We acknowledged the health risks to the users of tobacco products as well as to those who were subjected to secondhand smoke.

The auto isn’t any different.

The auto is the most dangerous form of transportation available in modern day.

The health impacts are mind boggling. Pollution, cancer causing agents, socio economic suffering, legal systems which punish the poor through a pay to play ticket scheme, the death of our children outside and inside autos, and increased health risks through lack of exercise. It’s all too much to put into one story.

Not too much more can be said, which has not already been said, about the history and nature of the auto.

The automobile is a weapon or a tool. It mainly depends on the ability and intent of the user.

There was a time when the auto filled a need as a personal mobility device. With the expanding use of public transportation and alternate means of travel it is a product whose time has come and gone.

With denser urban areas becoming the norm, revivals in public transit, and auto for hire schemes such as Lyft and Uber; there really isn’t a need for personal autos. Not even for long distance trips. Rent a car and be done with it.

One would think that we’d be over the car kick by now. Except we aren’t.

Part of the reason, I believe, is because of persuasive auto ads. These ads are designed to create a sense of urgent need and a feeling of superiority when on the road.

I really love driving distracted
You know how people are warned about the dangers of distracted driving by Public Service Announcements? Well none of that matters in Auto Ads.

Gas prices are dropping and Auto Ads are increasing. Along with these increases are deaths. Your loved ones are being destroyed by auto culture and you’re ok with it. Not because you’re ok with your loved one being killed, but because you are brainwashed by auto ads to believe you need that product which is killing your loved ones.

Remember cigarette ads on T.V.?

Neither do I. Yet there was a time when they were sold via television ads. So many ads telling people how sexy smoking was, how invigorating, how tasty! Smoking was increasing and so were the illnesses associated with it.

Through the efforts of activists who genuinely cared about the well being of the American people, over the profits of cigarette manufacturers, a ban on television ads were put into place.

In 1964, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) agreed that advertisers had a responsibility to warn the public of the health hazards of cigarette smoking. In 1969, after the surgeon general of the United States released an official report linking cigarette smoking to low birth weight, Congress yielded to pressure from the public health sector and signed the Cigarette Smoking Act. Via History Channel

This is exactly what we need for auto ads.

We need a full out ban on ads which promote products rated by the CDC as the number one killer of our children.

  • Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in the U.S. More than 33,000 people died from motor vehicle crashes in 2013 alone.1   Via CDC

leading_causes_of_death_age_group_2014_1050w760h
They call it “Unintentional Injuries” but Motor Vehicle collisions are what the majority of them are. When you drive distracted, drowsy, buzzed, high, or like you own the road. It isn’t unintentional.

Driving is not a passive act. It is hard work and you are required to keep your wits about you while you are doing it.

With the huge flux of auto ads telling us that driving is fun, easy, desirable, sleek, sexy, and your ticket to freedom. Is it any wonder that people “feel” like they “need” to drive?

These are all catch phrases that were used to push cigarette ads and yet we were able to fight “the man” and have them kicked off of television and radio.

So why aren’t we doing that for auto ads?

#BanAutoAds

So the next time you see an auto ad pop up in your news feed, be sure and let them know what you find disturbing about it and add the hashtag #BanAutoAds. Your children’s lives depend on it.

You have options on how to get to work and people are fighting to make those options easier and more accessible to you. Help them.

Don’t wait around for special infra as some people will tell you to do. Take an education course such as Cycling Savvy and learn what real freedom actually feels like.

You can safely travel by walking, cycling, public transport, and auto rentals to get you where you need to go.

All that space removed from auto’s gives us more space to build business’, shops, schools, and cultural activities.

#BanAutoAds

Auto companies are gathering slick advertisers to promote their dangerous product to children using cartoons.

Posted on by Cherokee S. 0