This is Jon Fortt, CNBC journalist. I’m guest-hosting for a couple more episodes of Decoder this summer while Nilay is out on parental leave. Today, I’m talking with a very special guest: Gil Duran, an old friend, journalist, and author of The Nerd Reich, a newsletter and forthcoming book about the shifting politics of Silicon Valley and the rise of tech authoritarianism. 
Links: 
<ul>
 <li>
Is Peter Thiel the Antichrist? NYT didn’t think to ask | <a href="https://www.thenerdreich.com/is-peter-thiel-the-antichrist-nyt-didnt-think-to-ask/">The Nerd Reich</a>
</li>
 <li>
How tech authoritarianism becomes reality | <a href="https://www.thenerdreich.com/how-tech-authoritarianism-becomes-reality/">The Nerd Reich</a>
</li>
 <li>
Curtis Yarvin’s Plot Against America | <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/06/09/curtis-yarvin-profile">The New Yorker</a>
</li>
 <li>
The rise of techno-authoritarianism | <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/03/facebook-meta-silicon-valley-politics/677168/">The Atlantic</a>
</li>
 <li>
JD Vance thinks monarchists have some good ideas | <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/16/24266512/jd-vance-curtis-yarvin-influence-rage-project-2025">The Verge</a>
</li>
 <li>
Startups meeting with Trump officials to push for deregulated ‘Freedom Cities’ | <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/startup-cities-donald-trump-legislation/">Wired</a>
</li>
 <li>
Peter Thiel-linked startup wants to build the “next great city” in Greenland | <a href="https://www.insidehook.com/internet/peter-thiel-praxis-next-great-city-greenland">Inside Hook</a>
</li>
 <li>
Bitcoin could replace dollar If US debt grows says Coinbase CEO | <a href="https://cryptoslate.com/coinbase-ceo-fears-bitcoin-replaces-dollar-if-us-debt-grows-as-elon-musk-calls-for-firing-of-215-republicans/">CryptoSlate</a>
</li>
</ul>
Credits:
Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Our producers are Kate Cox and Nick Statt. Our editor is Ursa Wright. 
The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.
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