General Discussion

Interesting article: "Behind the Curtain: A new, powerful political movement"

"This group — mostly rich, white, middle-aged men with tech jobs, companies or investment funds — is building impressive, if unorganized, political muscle through social media, podcasts, new journalism projects, and political donations and activism."

"These moguls have shifted the politics of an entire social media platform (X), helped elevate the most formidable third-party candidate in decades (RFK Jr.), and built a powerful and popular podcasting network."

"If the techno-optimists have a presidential candidate, it's RFK Jr.. But if they decide a third-party candidate isn't viable, they seem much more likely to turn to former President Trump than President Biden, based on their posts and podcasts."

"They're universally proud free-market capitalists who find Biden, 81, too old and too approving of thought and word policing."

"The bottom line: It's not clear how many votes they can move. But tens of millions of Americans — especially white men outside of big cities — listen to, read or follow them."

https://www.axios.com/2024/01/30/techno-optimist-silicon-valley-us-elections