this post was submitted on 16 Dec 2025
204 points (94.7% liked)

Technology

78261 readers
1619 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.


Our Rules


  1. Follow the lemmy.world rules.
  2. Only tech related news or articles.
  3. Be excellent to each other!
  4. Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
  5. Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
  6. Politics threads may be removed.
  7. No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
  8. Only approved bots from the list below, this includes using AI responses and summaries. To ask if your bot can be added please contact a mod.
  9. Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed
  10. Accounts 7 days and younger will have their posts automatically removed.

Approved Bots


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Alex Karp, the CEO of controversial tech company Palantir, raised eyebrows during a recent live interview with the New York Times. In a viral video of the discussion, Karp defended his company to the Times' Andrew Ross Sorkin, gesturing dramatically with his arms, bouncing up and down on his chair, and struggling to make his point.

Palantir’s X account shared the video on Sunday morning and announced Karp is launching The Neurodivergent Fellowship: "If you find yourself relating to [Karp] in this video — unable to sit still, or thinking faster than you can speak — we encourage you to apply."

Palantir announced Karp himself would conduct final interviews for the fellowship. In a reply to the first message on X, the company included an application link to the fellowship, which is available in Palantir’s New York City and Washington, D.C. offices.

"The current LLM tech landscape positions [neurodivergent people] to dominate," according to the application. "Pattern recognition. Non-linear thinking. Hyperfocus. The cognitive traits that make the neurodivergent different are precisely what make them exceptional in an AI-driven world."

Palantir, a data and analytics company co-founded by conservative "kingmaker" Peter Thiel, was quick to argue that the fellowship is not a DEI initiative.

"Palantir is launching the Neurodivergent Fellowship as a recruitment pathway for exceptional neurodivergent talent," according to the application, "This is not a diversity initiative. We believe neurodivergent individuals will have a competitive advantage as elite builders of the next technological era, and we're hiring accordingly for all roles."

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] yesman@lemmy.world 174 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (4 children)

Alex Karp's behavior is much better explained by cocaine. He may be neurodivergent, but he was still high as giraffe pussy.

[–] kami@lemmy.dbzer0.com 15 points 2 weeks ago

Woah! That's pretty high!

[–] certified_expert@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

Hahahahahahahhahahahaah. Dude, I cannot stop laughing!

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] CosmoNova@lemmy.world 101 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I‘m sick and tired of rich schmucks selling their lack of empathy as being neurodivergent. Nah man, you don‘t struggle with social cues. You simply don‘t care about others. That‘s a huge difference.

[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 33 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Technically antisocial personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder are neurodivergent...

[–] stoly@lemmy.world 26 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Those are personality disorders, not forms of neurodivergence.

[–] sem@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Wtf is neurodivergence if not a divergence from normal personality and thinking?

[–] stoly@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago (11 children)

They are different things.

Neurodivergent people process information differently but have all the correct parts to process. They may interact with the world in slightly different ways but do not have a personality DEFECT.

People who are narcissists are missing a primary component: empathy for other humans. Their minds are fundamentally different than neurotypical and neurodivergent people.

load more comments (11 replies)
[–] Badabinski@kbin.earth 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I seem to recall hearing that there were genetic/epigenetic components that predispose some folks to those personality disorders. I'm not disagreeing with you and I don't know if the research I saw was corroborated. I just think it's an interesting idea that you're not born with NPD, but you can be more vulnerable to developing it.

[–] stoly@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I think that what you are noting is that narcissism can be caused by differences in brain structure, like in psychopathy, or by differences in upbringing, like in sociopathy. In the first case, you're born that way. In the second case, trauma and such made you that way.

[–] specialseaweed@sh.itjust.works 96 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

He's definitely neurodivergent and not drug addicted. Definitely.

[–] NOT_RICK@lemmy.world 34 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

He’s definitely sitting comfortably in the middle of that Venn

Edit: Lmfao the Palantir account actually started their tweet about this with “While cross-country skiing this morning”

Do they think we’re stupid?

[–] Goodlucksil@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Re edit: It's a legitimate thing to do when you own so much money.

[–] NOT_RICK@lemmy.world 16 points 2 weeks ago

Cocaine or actual cross country skiing? I guess both work

[–] prex@aussie.zone 6 points 2 weeks ago

I assumed it was a euphemism for cocaine.

[–] specialseaweed@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 weeks ago

“While cross-country skiing this morning”

While gliding in his k-hole this morning

[–] Formfiller@lemmy.world 55 points 2 weeks ago

No thanks I’m good on violating everyone’s 4th amendment rights and identifying targets for a genocide like an absolute criminal traitor asshole

[–] Sanctus@anarchist.nexus 53 points 2 weeks ago

Sauron's DEI. Its cool, its not DEI because he thought of it this time.

[–] Bosht@lemmy.world 49 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

So the dude was tweaking on whatever legalized version of cocaine is available this week and then passes it off as neurodivergent. This makes those of us that actually have issues look like hyperactive children. Also fuck Palantir. I'd rather drag my nuts through broken glass than ever be associated with their human rights violation machine. Fucking sickening.

[–] Rooty@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Why the fuck are all the rich assholes tweaked out of their gourds? It speakes volumes that even those at the top of this bullshit society hate it and resort to drugs to cope.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
[–] scarabic@lemmy.world 47 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

They say it’s not a DEI initiative; they just want to get this talent onboard for their business.

Ironically, that’s exactly what DEI initiatives were all about: recognizing that if we let white bros excluded all others from the workplace, like they have in prior decades, we will shut out the majority of the world’s talent, and we should do whatever it takes to make sure everyone can join, work, and truly focus without watching their back all the time.

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 13 points 2 weeks ago

Or more cynically: privileged talent knows its worth, marginalized talent is undervalued and will thank you for only lightly screwing it

[–] AcidiclyBasicGlitch@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Exactly, not to mention the entire idea of a "tech" bro violated societies norms (it didn't really they just wore hoodies). But the fact that you had "nerds" succeeding and winning at life seemed to contradict the Don Draper/Frat Bro prototype of success

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] verdi@feddit.org 46 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

"I'm not a POS, I'm neurodivergent..."

Riiiiiiiiight... 🤔

[–] Sturgist@lemmy.ca 21 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Not mutually exclusive.

Edit: I say this as someone who's neurospicy.

[–] Quill7513@slrpnk.net 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

yeah. i'm fully willing to believe a bunch of these tech ceos are neurodivergent as they claim. HOWEVER. we all know neurodivergent people who don't weaponize their neurodivergence to justify eugenics, mass surveillance, or just plain being shitty to people. we don't have to respect your autism excuse when you do something shitty and then ask you why you did that.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 36 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

"The current LLM tech landscape positions [neurodivergent people] to dominate," according to the application. "Pattern recognition. Non-linear thinking. Hyperfocus. The cognitive traits that make the neurodivergent different are precisely what make them exceptional in an AI-driven world."

What a load of bullshit, LLMs will be used in a million ways to sideline neurodivergent people in society whether it be BS AI "help" for a neurodivergent student replacing a human teacher or job applications using AI to illegally screen and filter out neurodivergent people, this is a bad decade for neurodivergent people and it is likely only to get worse as societies collapse into bigotry from the endless stresses and catastrophies of runaway climate change.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] buddascrayon@lemmy.world 36 points 2 weeks ago

The way I read this is that they're trying to weaponize autism. They see people who are neurodivergent as a resource they can tap into.

[–] NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone 35 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Is the fellowship forming to kick the shit out of this guy for giving a bad name to neurodivergents everywhere?

[–] ivanafterall@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] grubberneonbelly@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
load more comments (1 replies)
[–] seraphine@lemmy.blahaj.zone 35 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

"Hyperfocus"... just wanna exploit us, those guys

[–] explodicle@sh.itjust.works 25 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 13 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

Yeah also hyperfocua is thankfully often one of the earliest symptoms to be dealt with. The name "hyperfocus" sounds great, but when I tell the story of how in college I sat down to write a paper then several hours later was finished, couldn't tell you anything about it and desperately needed food, water, and to use the restroom but was so exhausted I didn't know how to prioritize these needs and spent several minutes deciding which to resolve first… Yeah then it sounds like a symptom of a disability rather than some magic power.

I swear I'm sick and tired of people thinking adhd is basically being an attention feruchemist

load more comments (4 replies)
[–] SkabySkalyWag@piefed.social 32 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Can't wait until all these Tech wastes of human garbage finally reach critical mass, self consume, and crawl back under historical rocks.

For the record, using the real issue of nuerodivergence as an excuse for a lack of consciousness or mortality is new low.

[–] TheJesusaurus@sh.itjust.works 12 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Guaranteed Palantir isn't accepting neurodivergence as an excuse for Jack shit from their non C-suite employees

[–] MushuChupacabra@lemmy.world 32 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Wiping Palantir off the face of the earth would be a giant leap forward for humanity.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] Strider@lemmy.world 24 points 2 weeks ago

Of course, when we can be utilized we're fine.

Dont fucking drag us into your mud.

[–] wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 23 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Ah yes, let's start the slow process of eventually funneling people into roles based off this shit. AI is the future, and potentially our self-bootstrapped god. Neurodivergence makes you better at this sort of work. You're one of the chosen people. High priest to Roko's ~~Ballsack~~ Basilisk or some shit.

I know that's extreme to say, but Peter Thiel, the money behind Palantir, recently gave some absolutely insane speeches about the fucking antichrist. The AI race is legitimately a cult with religious meaning to some of these fucks.

Also, brace yourselves for attempts to use this as a shield against criticism. You can't get mad at us for not understanding the concept of human dignity, we've got the billionaire international surveillance contractor stamp of the global elite approved neurodivergence!


To be clear, no hate meant towards the neurodivergent. I am one. All the hate to the fucking billionaires just transparently fucking over the world in every way they can.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] breezeblock@lemmy.ca 20 points 2 weeks ago

Cocaine is a hell of a drug.

[–] AcidiclyBasicGlitch@sh.itjust.works 16 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (4 children)

The cognitive traits that make the neurodivergent different are precisely what make them exceptional in an AI-driven world.” Palantir, a data and analytics company co-founded by conservative “kingmaker” Peter Thiel, was quick to argue that the fellowship is not a DEI initiative. “This is not a diversity initiative. We believe neurodivergent individuals will have a competitive advantage as elite builders of the next technological era, and we’re hiring accordingly for all roles.”

Wow, that's super deep and profound. Maybe I had these people all wrong.

So, essentially, you believe there are likely very talented people who don't fit within the neat little box of what success is "supposed to typically look like." They might even be looked over or excluded simply because they don't fit into that box, but you are wise enough to see past that. You understand that the very traits that lead to their exclusion, may also provide them with a unique perspective that is often lacking in everyone who does fit neatly into that homogeneous box. And that carving out a place on the team that allows for the unique perspective of those divergent people, can actually be an advantage to everyone...

[–] AbidanYre@lemmy.world 14 points 2 weeks ago

Or you just gave them your name and contact information as one of the first people to round up when Trump needs another out group to blame shit on and Palantir is fully onboard with exterminating undesirables.

[–] rimu@piefed.social 10 points 2 weeks ago

Maybe it's a coded way of saying "the cognitive traits of sociopaths are what will make you do exceptionally well at Palentir, apply now".

As if that wasn't already obvious.

Or just an elaborate cover for a guy who overdid the pre-interview coke dosage.

[–] zd9@lemmy.world 10 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

What an interesting, novel idea that has never been tried before and surely hasn't been bashed by those exact people for the last 10 years. You see, this is different from DEI because it excludes brown and queer people. Who would've thought that it was always about just pushing down brown and queer people? WHO?

[–] wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 2 weeks ago

No, you see, this is about how some people are just born with special powers that intrinsically make them better at work related to the one and only future of the coming AGI god.

DEI is about trying to ensure people have an equal chance. This is about establishing a new class of elites based on unchangable genetic traits. A class of "super" or "uber" men, if you will.

[–] sic_semper_tyrannis@lemmy.today 5 points 2 weeks ago

Humanity is still better off without this company

[–] termaxima@slrpnk.net 12 points 2 weeks ago

Despite being neurodivergent, I also happen not to be profoundly evil ! So I don't see myself joining anytime soon...

[–] tehn00bi@lemmy.world 10 points 2 weeks ago

All the old Aspies are watching alone from the corner of the room saying to themselves, “wtf is wrong with this guy?”

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 10 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Oh I didn't know Karp was going to get forcibly sterilized by the government if he succeeds at his goals. Sounds like he doesn't know that either

Like, dude, the party is already moving against the neurodivergent and he's playing a major part in their capacity to do so. Playing a fundamental role in his own forewarned tragedy, kind of reminds me of another motherfucker I've heard of…

load more comments
view more: next ›