Robert Wright
@robertwrighter.bsky.social
Author of Nonzero, The Moral Animal, The Evolution of God, Why Buddhism Is True. Writing a book about AI. Publisher of the Nonzero Newsletter & host of the Nonzero Podcast. https://nonzero.substack.com/
In the latest NonZero Newsletter, I discuss some confused conflations that can fuel antisemitism (conflating Zionists with Jews, and Israel with world Jewry) and look at some things Bibi Netanyahu has done that encourage them. I also look at other ways he's exacerbated antisemitism.
In this week's Earthling:
- The causal link between Israeli policy and global antisemitism.
- Eric Schmidt, China envy, and "statist capitalism."
- The advent of "code-based drugs" for AI.
- Elon musk's tribal threat inflation
- The causal link between Israeli policy and global antisemitism.
- Eric Schmidt, China envy, and "statist capitalism."
- The advent of "code-based drugs" for AI.
- Elon musk's tribal threat inflation
How Bibi Boosts Antisemitism
Plus: Elon's sleuth fail; Eric Schmidt's China envy; drugged out LLMs; and more!
www.nonzero.org
December 23, 2025 at 2:23 AM
In the latest NonZero Newsletter, I discuss some confused conflations that can fuel antisemitism (conflating Zionists with Jews, and Israel with world Jewry) and look at some things Bibi Netanyahu has done that encourage them. I also look at other ways he's exacerbated antisemitism.
No matter how fast technology is advancing, it's not fast enough for Silicon Valley's accelerationists. In the latest NonZero Newsletter I look at the case of former Google CEO and current venture capitalist Eric Schmidt.
December 22, 2025 at 3:44 PM
No matter how fast technology is advancing, it's not fast enough for Silicon Valley's accelerationists. In the latest NonZero Newsletter I look at the case of former Google CEO and current venture capitalist Eric Schmidt.
The question of whether Israel does things that endanger Jews around the world is a question mainstream US opinion-shapers assiduously avoid. I think continuing to avoid it could make Jews more endangered. My piece in the latest NonZero Newsletter:
How Bibi Boosts Antisemitism
Plus: Elon's sleuth fail; Eric Schmidt's China envy; drugged out LLMs; and more!
Plus: Elon's sleuth fail; Eric Schmidt's China envy; drugged out LLMs; and more!
How Bibi Boosts Antisemitism
Plus: Elon's sleuth fail; Eric Schmidt's China envy; drugged out LLMs; and more!
www.nonzero.org
December 21, 2025 at 9:49 PM
The question of whether Israel does things that endanger Jews around the world is a question mainstream US opinion-shapers assiduously avoid. I think continuing to avoid it could make Jews more endangered. My piece in the latest NonZero Newsletter:
Does Trump's Venezuela policy signify the triumph of the deep state? I had a great time talking about this and other Trump foreign policy questions with @nonzeronews.bsky.social alumni @connorechols.bsky.social & Andrew Day.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc75...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc75...
The Year in Trump Foreign Policy | Robert Wright, Andrew Day, and Connor Echols
YouTube video by Nonzero
www.youtube.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Does Trump's Venezuela policy signify the triumph of the deep state? I had a great time talking about this and other Trump foreign policy questions with @nonzeronews.bsky.social alumni @connorechols.bsky.social & Andrew Day.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc75...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc75...
And without serious international cooperation, AI will go seriously awry.
Serious international cooperation is unlikely to transpire if you prioritize winning a struggle with China for “supremacy.”
The China Chip Rorschach Test
Plus: Neocon Monroe doctrine; Screw Mars; Disney's AI gambit; and more!
www.nonzero.org
December 17, 2025 at 7:02 PM
And without serious international cooperation, AI will go seriously awry.
Reposted by Robert Wright
Elon, Trump, Fuentes: Bad Men or Trolls or Both? |
@robertwrighter.bsky.social and @paulbloomatyale.bsky.social
discuss the Brown shooting and Rob Reiner’s murder—and how Musk and Trump responded to them. Plus: Susie Wiles gone wild, Morgan/Fuentes, the Oliver Sacks revelations, and more.
@robertwrighter.bsky.social and @paulbloomatyale.bsky.social
discuss the Brown shooting and Rob Reiner’s murder—and how Musk and Trump responded to them. Plus: Susie Wiles gone wild, Morgan/Fuentes, the Oliver Sacks revelations, and more.
Elon, Trump, Fuentes: Bad Men or Trolls or Both? | Robert Wright & Paul Bloom
YouTube video by Nonzero
youtu.be
December 17, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Elon, Trump, Fuentes: Bad Men or Trolls or Both? |
@robertwrighter.bsky.social and @paulbloomatyale.bsky.social
discuss the Brown shooting and Rob Reiner’s murder—and how Musk and Trump responded to them. Plus: Susie Wiles gone wild, Morgan/Fuentes, the Oliver Sacks revelations, and more.
@robertwrighter.bsky.social and @paulbloomatyale.bsky.social
discuss the Brown shooting and Rob Reiner’s murder—and how Musk and Trump responded to them. Plus: Susie Wiles gone wild, Morgan/Fuentes, the Oliver Sacks revelations, and more.
In the latest @nonzeronews.bsky.social I take issue with just about everyone's position on the issue of restricting the export of microchips to China.
The China Chip Rorschach Test
Plus: Neocon Monroe doctrine; Screw Mars; Disney's AI gambit; and more!
Plus: Neocon Monroe doctrine; Screw Mars; Disney's AI gambit; and more!
The China Chip Rorschach Test
Plus: Neocon Monroe doctrine; Screw Mars; Disney's AI gambit; and more!
www.nonzero.org
December 16, 2025 at 1:58 AM
In the latest @nonzeronews.bsky.social I take issue with just about everyone's position on the issue of restricting the export of microchips to China.
In this weekend's NonZero Newsletter: Why is most of the AI 'safety community' joining with the whole foreign policy establishment to steer the world toward disaster?
Plus: Trump's neocon Monroe doctrine, Disney's push to lengthen unemployment lines, @joelachenbach.bsky.social on Mars, etc.
Plus: Trump's neocon Monroe doctrine, Disney's push to lengthen unemployment lines, @joelachenbach.bsky.social on Mars, etc.
The China Chip Rorschach Test
Plus: Neocon Monroe doctrine; Screw Mars; Disney's AI gambit; and more!
Plus: Neocon Monroe doctrine; Screw Mars; Disney's AI gambit; and more!
The China Chip Rorschach Test
Plus: Neocon Monroe doctrine; Screw Mars; Disney's AI gambit; and more!
www.nonzero.org
December 14, 2025 at 6:35 PM
In this weekend's NonZero Newsletter: Why is most of the AI 'safety community' joining with the whole foreign policy establishment to steer the world toward disaster?
Plus: Trump's neocon Monroe doctrine, Disney's push to lengthen unemployment lines, @joelachenbach.bsky.social on Mars, etc.
Plus: Trump's neocon Monroe doctrine, Disney's push to lengthen unemployment lines, @joelachenbach.bsky.social on Mars, etc.
Reposted by Robert Wright
Using AI to Fight Cancer | @nathanlabenz.bsky.social, host of the Cognitive Revolution Podcast, tells @robertwrighter.bsky.social how consumer AI has helped him and his wife deal with their son’s cancer.
Using AI to Fight Cancer | Robert Wright & Nathan Labenz
YouTube video by Nonzero
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Using AI to Fight Cancer | @nathanlabenz.bsky.social, host of the Cognitive Revolution Podcast, tells @robertwrighter.bsky.social how consumer AI has helped him and his wife deal with their son’s cancer.
In what universe does the conviction that we must be at "war" with China not lead to a bad outcome?
December 10, 2025 at 8:34 PM
In what universe does the conviction that we must be at "war" with China not lead to a bad outcome?
I got a lot out of this conversation with
@nathanlabenz.bsky.social. The story of how AI helped him navigate his son's encounter with cancer is harrowing but inspiring.
@nathanlabenz.bsky.social. The story of how AI helped him navigate his son's encounter with cancer is harrowing but inspiring.
Using AI to Fight Cancer | @nathanlabenz.bsky.social, host of the Cognitive Revolution Podcast, tells @robertwrighter.bsky.social how consumer AI has helped him and his wife deal with their son’s cancer.
Using AI to Fight Cancer | Robert Wright & Nathan Labenz
YouTube video by Nonzero
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:17 PM
I got a lot out of this conversation with
@nathanlabenz.bsky.social. The story of how AI helped him navigate his son's encounter with cancer is harrowing but inspiring.
@nathanlabenz.bsky.social. The story of how AI helped him navigate his son's encounter with cancer is harrowing but inspiring.
In the latest NonZero Newsletter, I ask: Should AI systems mirror citizens’ beliefs? And is America's 'AI Czar' equipped to ponder this and other important questions?
December 10, 2025 at 4:02 PM
In the latest NonZero Newsletter, I ask: Should AI systems mirror citizens’ beliefs? And is America's 'AI Czar' equipped to ponder this and other important questions?
I got a lot out of this conversation with @nathanlabenz.bsky.social. The story of how AI helped him navigate his son's encounter with cancer is harrowing but inspiring.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV-T...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV-T...
Using AI to Fight Cancer | Robert Wright & Nathan Labenz
YouTube video by Nonzero
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:52 PM
I got a lot out of this conversation with @nathanlabenz.bsky.social. The story of how AI helped him navigate his son's encounter with cancer is harrowing but inspiring.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV-T...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV-T...
I guess the good news is that an unregulated market seems to have produced an outcome David Sacks doesn’t like. Maybe that will lead him to rethink some of the laissez faire policies that are so good for his portfolio.
www.nonzero.org/p/the-david-...
www.nonzero.org/p/the-david-...
December 9, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I guess the good news is that an unregulated market seems to have produced an outcome David Sacks doesn’t like. Maybe that will lead him to rethink some of the laissez faire policies that are so good for his portfolio.
www.nonzero.org/p/the-david-...
www.nonzero.org/p/the-david-...
In the latest NonZero Newsletter, I explain why the letter David Sacks's lawyer wrote is a less powerful rebuttal of the New York Times piece about his conflicts of interest than it may seem at first glance.
December 8, 2025 at 12:42 AM
In the latest NonZero Newsletter, I explain why the letter David Sacks's lawyer wrote is a less powerful rebuttal of the New York Times piece about his conflicts of interest than it may seem at first glance.
Reposted by Robert Wright
NEW: The David Sacks Problem(s)
The AI & Crypto Czar's financial issues aren't the only issues
The AI & Crypto Czar's financial issues aren't the only issues
The David Sacks Problem(s)
The AI & Crypto Czar's financial issues aren't the only issues
www.nonzero.org
December 7, 2025 at 7:58 PM
NEW: The David Sacks Problem(s)
The AI & Crypto Czar's financial issues aren't the only issues
The AI & Crypto Czar's financial issues aren't the only issues
In the latest @nonzeronews.bsky.social, I argue that David Sacks's conflicts of interest aren't the most troubling thing about his role as AI Czar. It's how nakedly political he's gotten—as illustrated, most recently, by his framing of the meaning of "truth".
The David Sacks Problem(s)
The AI & Crypto Czar's financial issues aren't the only issues
www.nonzero.org
December 7, 2025 at 7:57 PM
In the latest @nonzeronews.bsky.social, I argue that David Sacks's conflicts of interest aren't the most troubling thing about his role as AI Czar. It's how nakedly political he's gotten—as illustrated, most recently, by his framing of the meaning of "truth".
Really enjoyed this conversation with Sam Tanenhaus, who has written a superb book. It's a biography that doubles as a history of American politics and political thought in the second half of the 20th century.
The Life and Legacy of William F. Buckley |
@robertwrighter.bsky.social talks with Sam Tanenhaus, author of a sweeping new biography of Buckley, about the conservative icon’s influence and impact, from moving the GOP rightward to foreshadowing the age of Trump and Tucker Carlson.
@robertwrighter.bsky.social talks with Sam Tanenhaus, author of a sweeping new biography of Buckley, about the conservative icon’s influence and impact, from moving the GOP rightward to foreshadowing the age of Trump and Tucker Carlson.
The Life and Legacy of William F. Buckley | Robert Wright & Sam Tanenhaus
YouTube video by Nonzero
www.youtube.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Really enjoyed this conversation with Sam Tanenhaus, who has written a superb book. It's a biography that doubles as a history of American politics and political thought in the second half of the 20th century.
Had a great conversation with @kaiserkuo.bsky.social of the Sinica Podcast about the causes and consequences of the seeming softening of Washington's China-hawkism.
Is DC's China Vibe Shift Real? | In conversation with
@robertwrighter.bsky.social, @kaiserkuo.bsky.social, host of the Sinica Podcast, argues that China hawkism has waned and assesses the causes and consequences.
@robertwrighter.bsky.social, @kaiserkuo.bsky.social, host of the Sinica Podcast, argues that China hawkism has waned and assesses the causes and consequences.
China Hawks in Retreat? | Robert Wright & Kaiser Kuo
YouTube video by Nonzero
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Had a great conversation with @kaiserkuo.bsky.social of the Sinica Podcast about the causes and consequences of the seeming softening of Washington's China-hawkism.
In the latest @nonzeronews.bsky.social, I ask whether the Silicon Valley overlords driving AI policy have given serious thought to concerns about concentration of power. I conclude that at least one of them hasn't.
www.nonzero.org/p/is-marc-an...
www.nonzero.org/p/is-marc-an...
November 24, 2025 at 3:27 PM
In the latest @nonzeronews.bsky.social, I ask whether the Silicon Valley overlords driving AI policy have given serious thought to concerns about concentration of power. I conclude that at least one of them hasn't.
www.nonzero.org/p/is-marc-an...
www.nonzero.org/p/is-marc-an...
In the latest @nonzeronews.bsky.social, I ask whether the Silicon Valley overlords driving AI policy have given serious thought to concerns about concentration of power. I conclude that at least one of them hasn't.
www.nonzero.org/p/is-marc-an...
www.nonzero.org/p/is-marc-an...
November 23, 2025 at 5:37 PM
In the latest @nonzeronews.bsky.social, I ask whether the Silicon Valley overlords driving AI policy have given serious thought to concerns about concentration of power. I conclude that at least one of them hasn't.
www.nonzero.org/p/is-marc-an...
www.nonzero.org/p/is-marc-an...
Reposted by Robert Wright
Larry Summers, Jeffrey Epstein, and Other Elite Malefactors |
@robertwrighter.bsky.social and psychologist
@paulbloomatyale.bsky.social discuss the latest Epstein developments—including the Steve Bannon and Larry Summers revelations, whether MAGA can survive the fallout, and more!
@robertwrighter.bsky.social and psychologist
@paulbloomatyale.bsky.social discuss the latest Epstein developments—including the Steve Bannon and Larry Summers revelations, whether MAGA can survive the fallout, and more!
Larry Summers, Jeffrey Epstein, and Other Elite Malefactors | Robert Wright & Paul Bloom
YouTube video by Nonzero
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Larry Summers, Jeffrey Epstein, and Other Elite Malefactors |
@robertwrighter.bsky.social and psychologist
@paulbloomatyale.bsky.social discuss the latest Epstein developments—including the Steve Bannon and Larry Summers revelations, whether MAGA can survive the fallout, and more!
@robertwrighter.bsky.social and psychologist
@paulbloomatyale.bsky.social discuss the latest Epstein developments—including the Steve Bannon and Larry Summers revelations, whether MAGA can survive the fallout, and more!
In the latest issue of my NonZero Newlsetter I raise an important question about one of our Silicon Valley overlords in the course of raising another important question: Will AI increase the power overlords have over us? www.nonzero.org/p/is-marc-an...
Is Marc Andreessen just flat-out dumb?
Plus: Shy China; War on poverty stalls; Anthropic's sketchy cyberattack claim.
www.nonzero.org
November 22, 2025 at 6:07 PM
In the latest issue of my NonZero Newlsetter I raise an important question about one of our Silicon Valley overlords in the course of raising another important question: Will AI increase the power overlords have over us? www.nonzero.org/p/is-marc-an...
This picture of RFK Jr. in the Washington Post is enough to raise questions about Olivia Nuzzi's judgment. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | RFK Jr. breaks yet another promise
The HHS secretary pulls the CDC website into his fantasyland.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:20 PM
This picture of RFK Jr. in the Washington Post is enough to raise questions about Olivia Nuzzi's judgment. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Really enjoyed this conversation. Lots of startup founders say their goal is to help the world. In @komorama.bsky.social's case, I think it's actually true.
youtu.be/u_xXx9KSFf4?...
youtu.be/u_xXx9KSFf4?...
Will One AI Rule Us All? | Robert Wright & Alex Komoroske
YouTube video by Nonzero
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Really enjoyed this conversation. Lots of startup founders say their goal is to help the world. In @komorama.bsky.social's case, I think it's actually true.
youtu.be/u_xXx9KSFf4?...
youtu.be/u_xXx9KSFf4?...