They both run companies named for objects fromLord of the Rings.
They both have connections to neo-feudalist venture capitalist Peter Thiel.
And theyre both the subject of lengthy in-depth profiles.
Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries, during an interview on “The Circuit with Emily Chang” at Anduril’s headquarters in Costa Mesa, California, US, on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023.© Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images
They bridged the gap between Silicon Valley and the DoD.
The reasons why are complicated.
The Pentagon is slow and bureaucratic.
Big Techs leaders may have been morally and ethically flexible, but its employees werent.
In 2018, Google employees revolted against the company because it hadcozied up to the DoD.
In response, Google exited the partnership.
Not supporting the U.S. military, Karp told the New York Times.
Thats before you get to all the corrosive, divisive things that are on these platforms.
Its not just Anduril and Palantir either.
Google is, once again,getting closewith the U.S. military.
I think theres a different perception of us now a little bit, Karp said.
A lot of that was tied to Trump, ICE work.
It built up and we were definitely outsiders.
Were still outsiders, but I feel less resistance for sure.
And people have a better idea of what we do, maybe.
Defense tech is a big part of Silicon Valley now.
Luckey has long been ahead of the curve.
People stopped supporting Oculus.
Luckey left Facebook, his reputation in tatters.
He told Stern that losing his reputation gave him a taste for revenge.
Ive already been burned.
My reputation was so bad that I could do literally anything and it couldnt get worse.
In that way, I think Im actually blessed.
Now, Luckey wants Anduril to be the western worlds gun store.
Thats his phrasing, according to Tablet.
In Luckeys vision, that store will be full of cheap AI-powered drones.
Just imagine that that were possible.
Both Luckey and Karp are actively working towards that future.
Luckey has a showroom of incredible toys.
In Andurils showroom, Luckey showed me the current state of the gun store.
As Silicon Valley and the Pentagon get closer, cracks begin to show.
The world is interconnected in a way it has never been and money comes from odd places.
8VC invests in both Anduril and Palantir.
But the influence of foreign actors on tech startups is anactive concernof the Pentagon.
Its not unreasonable to view the sons of Russian oligarchs with suspicion.
On X, Luckey voiced his support for the 8VC employees.
How dare we take the best people away from dictatorships!
How dare we take the best people away from dictatorships!
News from the future, delivered to your present.
Palantirs Billionaire CEO Just Cant Stop Talking About Killing People
Slow your roll, Alex Karp.
