The Nerd Reich

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The Nerd Reich with Gil Duran a podcast about Silicon Valley politics and power—who holds it, how they use it, and how the unchecked influence of tech billionaires threatens democracy.The Nerd Reich investigates the rise of Silicon Valley’s ruling class, the Network State cult, and the crypto-fueled push to undermine democratic government. From billionaire-backed disinformation to AI-driven control systems, we expose how tech elites are reshaping society in their image—concentrating wealth, destabilizing institutions, and eroding public trust. The Nerd Reich with Gil Duran breaks down how crypto scams, surveillance capitalism, and digital authoritarianism are accelerating the decline of democratic governance. If you care about power, politics, and the future of truth itself—this is the podcast you need to hear.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Inside The Tech Cult: How Venture Capital Plans to Exit Democracy

    Silicon Valley venture capital isn’t just funding technology. It’s also building an escape plan from democracy. In this episode of The Nerd Reich, Gil Duran is joined by Olivier Jutel (University of Otago) to examine what can only be described as a tech cult: a small, ideologically aligned group of venture capitalists who have become the de facto state planners of American capitalism. As many VC funds underperform, leading figures—from Peter Thiel to Marc Andreessen—are turning toward increasingly radical political projects. These include network states, charter cities, special economic zones, crypto-enabled sovereign zones, and heavy investment in AI, surveillance, and war technologies. The goal is no longer innovation, but power—and a strategy Jutel describes as “exit through the state.” This conversation breaks down: How venture capital actually makes money (and why “risk-taking” is largely a myth) Why VC is clustering around AI, crypto, surveillance, and militarization What the “network state” really is—and why it’s a political threat How Trump-era politics fit into VC’s long-term strategy Why “abundance” narratives collapse under real economic incentives What’s at stake for democracy, labor, and the future itself Venture capital is a political cult project—one increasingly willing to dismantle democratic systems to preserve its own power. Follow Olivier Jutel on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/ojutel.bsky.social Follow Gil Duran on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/gilduran.com Please subscribe to the Nerd Reich newsletter: https://www.thenerdreich.com/ Pre-order Gil Duran’s book: The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-nerd-reich-silicon-valley-fascism-and-the-war-on-democracy-gil-dur-n/a6f6f0dce1150339?ean=9781668221402&next=t #venturecapital #tech #politics #billionaire #democracy #ai

    47 min

  2. 16/12/2025

    JD Vance’s Power Network: How Theo Bros and Tech Bros Are Teaming Up Against Democracy

    Journalist Gil Duran explores the strange alliance between JD Vance, Silicon Valley and Christian Nationalists. Experts say they are converging on the same anti-democratic playbook. From the Seven Mountains Mandate to "Network State" projects like Highland Rim, we expose how figures like JD Vance, Peter Thiel, and Doug Wilson are planning a theocratic-technocratic future. Gil Duran speaks with Prof. Matthew Boedy, author of "The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy": Buy it here: https://www.wjkbooks.com/bookproduct/0664269214-the-seven-mountains-mandate/ And Kiera Butler of Mother Jones, a national correspondent at Mother Jones. https://www.motherjones.com/author/kiera-butler/ Read: Christian Theo Bros Are Building a Tech Utopia in Appalachia: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/04/christian-theobros-are-building-a-tech-utopia-in-appalachia/ Please Pre-Order Gil Duran's new book, "The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and The War on Democracy." https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Nerd-Reich/Gil-Duran/9781668221402 Subscribe to The Nerd Reich newsletter: https://www.thenerdreich.com/ Follow Gil on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gilduran.com Follow Matthew Boedy on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/matthewboedy.bsky.social Follow Kiera Butler on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kieraevebutler.bsky.social #jdvance #project2025 #tech #politics #siliconvalley #billionaire #christian #christianity #peterthiel #democracy #podcast #religion #charliekirk

    1h 8m

  3. 05/11/2025

    'Fentanyl Capitalism': How Tech Venture Capital Is Eating the World | Catherine Bracy x Gil Duran

    Silicon Valley sold us the dream of saving the world—but what if the system funding that dream is the real problem? In this explosive episode of the Nerd Reich Podcast, host Gil Duran sits down with Catherine Bracey, founder of Tech Equity Collaborative and author of "World Eaters: How Venture Capital Is Cannibalizing the Economy." Together they unpack “fentanyl capitalism”—the idea that if capitalism is heroin, venture capital is its far more potent and dangerous form. From the whaling origins of VC to blitzscaling, MAGA politics, and Silicon Valley’s god complex, Bracy explains how tech’s obsession with unicorns, power laws, and exits is warping innovation, democracy, and faith itself. 00:00 Intro – Why VC is Fentanyl Capitalism 04:20 The Whaling Origins of Venture Capital 09:40 Blitzscaling & the Psychology of Unicorns 17:30 VC Meets MAGA Politics 26:00 Hereticon, Antichrist & Tech’s Spiritual Crisis 28:40 Can We Fix It or Let It Burn? 33:00 Lightning Round & Final Words of Wisdom 📚 Buy "World Eaters" → https://bookshop.org/p/books/world-eaters-how-venture-capital-is-cannibalizing-the-economy-catherine-bracy/ff2a78cff5580674?ean=9780593473481&next=t 💌 Subscribe → http://www.thenerdreich.com #tech #venturecapital #SiliconValley #WorldEaters #TechEquity #FentanylCapitalism #PeterThiel #AndreessenHorowitz #Politics #AI #Neoliberalism #podcast

    35 min

  4. 21/10/2025

    The Woman Who Predicted Tech Fascism — Paulina Borsook Was Right

    Tech fascism didn’t rise in secret — it grew in plain sight. Why didn't we stop it? In this episode of The Nerd Reich Podcast, host Gil Duran speaks with legendary tech critic Paulina Borsook, author of Cyberselfish, the prophetic book that warned about the rise of Silicon Valley authoritarianism decades before Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and the far-right tech elite took power. We dive deep into how Silicon Valley’s toxic libertarianism evolved into a global far-right propaganda machine, why tech journalists failed to sound the alarm, and what happens next as AI, surveillance, and billionaire power reshape democracy. 🔥 Chapters & Highlights: 00:00 – Tech Fascism 101: How Silicon Valley Went Authoritarian 07:15 – The Forgotten Prophet: Paulina Borsook and Cyberselfish 20:30 – Why Journalists Worshipped Tech Billionaires 35:00 – Elon Musk’s X and the Global Far-Right Network 48:50 – The Masculinity Problem in Tech 1:02:00 – Can Democracy Survive Tech Fascism? 💬 Join the conversation in the comments:Why did the media fail to warn us about tech fascism? How do we stop the tech billionaires now? Please Support Paulina Borsook: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-paulina-disabled-writer-artist-and-activist 📖 Read Gil Duran’s work → http://www.thenerdreich.com #tech #TechFascism #ElonMusk #PaulinaBorsook #SiliconValley #PeterThiel #AI #Politics #podcast #technology

    37 min

  5. 13/10/2025

    Project 2025, Silicon Valley & the Tech's War on Democracy | The Nerd Reich Podcast Mailbag

    What happens when Project 2025, Silicon Valley, and AI collide? In this Nerd Reich Mailbag episode, host Gil Duran sits down with Brooke Harrington (author of "Offshore: Stealth Wealth and The New Colonialism) and Adam Becker (author of "More Everything Forever") to answer listener questions about authoritarianism, AI power, and the new tech-driven assault on democracy. 🔥 Topics include: How Project 2025 was planned like a “war against America” The rise of the Tech Right — Musk, Thiel, and the Silicon Valley elite How AI and algorithms are reshaping politics and power The “Dark Enlightenment” and the anti-human turn in tech Why dystopian science fiction was supposed to be a warning — not a blueprint This episode is part political analysis, part cultural autopsy — and a call to understand how authoritarianism is accelerating in the digital age. 🎙️ Featuring: Brooke Harrington — Professor of Economic Sociology, Dartmouth College Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ebharrington.bsky.social Adam Becker — Astrophysicist & author of "More Everything Forever" Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/adambecker.bsky.social Gil Duran — Host. Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gilduran.com Follow on X: https://x.com/gilduran76?lang=en R.R. Robbins — Producer 📧 Subscribe to the Nerd Reich newsletter → http://www.thenerdreich.com 💬 Leave a comment — your question might be in the next Mailbag episode! #Project2025 #AI #tech #siliconvalley #elonmusk #peterthiel #Authoritarianism #SiliconValley #TechRight #PoliticalPodcast #crypto #podcast #politics #sciencefiction

    47 min

  6. 12/09/2025

    The Antichrist Playbook: Peter Thiel & Silicon Valley Apocalypse Hype

    What’s behind Silicon Valley’s sudden obsession with the Antichrist, demons, and apocalypse? Why is Peter Thiel launching a secret four-part lecture series on the Antichrist—and why are figures like Nicole Shanahan calling Burning Man “demonic”?   We pull back the curtain with two heavyweight thinkers:   • Dr. Robert Fuller, author of "Naming the Antichrist: The History of an American Obsession," on how U.S. culture keeps resurrecting the Antichrist meme—and why it turns political debate into a zero-sum holy war.   • Dr. Matthew Fox, renowned theologian and creator of the creation spirituality movement, on how apocalyptic language is being weaponized—and what authentic spirituality asks of us today.   You’ll learn: What the Bible actually says (and doesn’t) about the “Antichrist.”   How the Antichrist fused with the “Beast” of Revelation in popular imagination.   Why apocalyptic rhetoric moves crowds, fuels polarization, and excuses extremism.   How tech billionaires’ “religious” branding intersects with power, media, and regulation.   Practical ways to de-mystify doomsday talk and re-center ethics, empathy, and democracy.   SUBSCRIBE to the Nerd Reich Newsletter for more hard-hitting exposés: http://www.thenerdreich.com   Follow Gil Duran on social media:   X: https://x.com/gilduran76?lang=en BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/gilduran.com   #PeterThiel #siliconvalley #antichrist #apocalypse #endtimes #jesus #jesuschrist #bible #biblestudy #tech #burningman #Religion #tech #technology #AI #demons #christianity #christian #BiblicalProphecy #PoliticalTheology #MatthewFox #RobertFuller #TechBillionaires #apocalypse #NerdReich #armageddon

    52 min

  7. 08/08/2025

    Mark Zuckerberg’s $300M Doomsday Fortress: Bunkers, Burial Grounds & Big Tech’s Apocalypse Plan

    Why is Mark Zuckerberg building a $300 million mansion fortress on Kauai with underground bunkers, blast-proof doors, and room for over 100 people? In this episode of the Nerd Reich Podcast, host Gil Duran is joined by journalists Guthrie Scrimgeour and Taylor Lorenz to unpack the chilling reality of Silicon Valley’s “apocalypse insurance.” We dive into: How Zuckerberg’s compound resembles a classified military installation The controversy over Native Hawaiian burial grounds The secret NDAs silencing hundreds of local workers Why tech billionaires are obsessed with doomsday prepping The cult-like mentality fueling digital feudalism and “network states” AI, wealth inequality, and the future these billionaires are really preparing for From Peter Thiel’s New Zealand hideout to Sam Altman’s Big Sur escape plan, we explore why the same people promising a tech utopia are building escape routes from the society they helped create.   SUBSCRIBE to the Nerd Reich Newsletter: https://www.thenerdreich.com/ Follow Gil Duran on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/gilduran.com Follow Taylor Lorenz on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE to User Mag https://www.usermag.co/ Follow Guthrie Scrimgeour on Twitter: https://x.com/g_scrimgeour Read his stories at Wired: https://www.wired.com/author/guthrie-scrimgeour/ Chapters: 00:00 Intro – Zuckerberg’s Hawaiian fortress revealed 02:04 How Wired uncovered the $300M bunker 06:40 Surveillance, secrecy & “Fight Club” rules for workers 09:07 Burial grounds and Native Hawaiian land rights 13:38 The tech bro “apocalypse insurance” trend 17:39 Cult-like Silicon Valley communities 22:15 Billionaire separation vs. public “connection” 24:22 Digital feudalism in action 26:45 AI optimism vs. bunker paranoia 31:27 When AI replaces local journalists 37:00 Substack’s Nazi newsletter scandal 40:11 Closing thoughts 💬 Join the conversation: Do you think tech billionaires are paranoid geniuses… or planning for a future they helped break? Comment below. #markzuckerberg #zuckerberg #politics #doomsdaypreppers #doomsday #prepper #Hawaii #TaylorLorenz #siliconvalley #apocalypse #tech #facebook #ai #hawaii #podcast

    41 min

  8. 11/07/2025

    Crypto vs Democracy: How Bitcoin Billionaires Are Buying Congress w/ Molly White and Dave Troy

    Is crypto just digital money—or a tool to undermine American democracy? In this explosive debut episode of the Nerd Reich Podcast, host Gil Duran is joined by crypto critics Molly White (Web3 Is Going Just Great) and Dave Troy (America 2.0) to expose the political underbelly of cryptocurrency—and how it's infiltrating both parties in Washington. We dig deep into: 🚨The ideological roots of crypto in anti-government extremism 💰 How billionaires like Brian Armstrong (Coinbase) are pushing the "Network State" - The real goals of the crypto industry: regulatory capture, wealth concentration, and societal control - The so-called "Crypto Corruption Bill" (GENIUS Act) and its bipartisan backers - Why Democrats like Adam Schiff, Alex Padilla, and Ruben Gallego are joining the crypto cult - Geopolitical chaos: how crypto enables Russia, North Korea, and economic destabilization - And why we may be eventually heading toward a new financial collapse — unless we act now "Crypto isn't just about money. It's about power — and who gets to control the future." 🧠 This episode features critical insights from two of the sharpest crypto skeptics in the game: Molly White – https://web3isgoinggreat.com and https://www.citationneeded.news/ Dave Troy – https://america2.news/ 🎧 Subscribe to the NerdReich Podcast for fearless commentary on tech, politics, and power. 💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments — or tell us what we should expose next. 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED: “Paranoia on Parade” by Dave Troy https://washingtonspectator.org/paranoia-on-parade/  State Power Sponsored by Coinbase (Molly White): https://www.citationneeded.news/issue-86/ European Central Bank report on crypto's systemic risk: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/financial-stability-publications/fsr/special/html/ecb.fsrart202505_01~62255f2625.en.html The Network State/Balaji Srinivasan: https://www.thenerdreich.com/balaji-srinivasans-gray-vision-for-san-francisco/ Brian Armstrong/Coinbase: https://www.thenerdreich.com/cryptos-destiny-brian-armstrong-coinbase/ #Crypto #Politics #Bitcoin #Stablecoins #NetworkState #Coinbase #tech #siliconvalley #Trump

    58 min
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About

The Nerd Reich with Gil Duran a podcast about Silicon Valley politics and power—who holds it, how they use it, and how the unchecked influence of tech billionaires threatens democracy.The Nerd Reich investigates the rise of Silicon Valley’s ruling class, the Network State cult, and the crypto-fueled push to undermine democratic government. From billionaire-backed disinformation to AI-driven control systems, we expose how tech elites are reshaping society in their image—concentrating wealth, destabilizing institutions, and eroding public trust. The Nerd Reich with Gil Duran breaks down how crypto scams, surveillance capitalism, and digital authoritarianism are accelerating the decline of democratic governance. If you care about power, politics, and the future of truth itself—this is the podcast you need to hear.

Information

  • Creator
    nerdreich
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Nerd Reich

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