Back in the 90s we had a great term for stuff like “building AI satellite factories on the Moon” and “we’ll just envelop the solar system with a Dyson Sphere”.
It’s pretty technical and I forgive you if you’ve never heard of it, the term is “investment scam”.
@thomasfuchs oh I thought it was "science fiction"
@thomasfuchs I remember once I saw a crowdfunding for a Death Star, the goal was a trillion or some other stupid amount
@thomasfuchs I always called it Science Fiction.
@thomasfuchs The real threat is the proposal to shoot countless satellites into orbit which will cause light pollution and - in the long run - will be a threat for our atmosphere. And this BS will be paid by investors who have no idea that physics is a real thing.
https://darksky.org/news/two-satellite-proposals-threaten-the-night-sky-the-window-to-act-is-now/
yeah, but in the 90s they were niche companies, the economy wouldn't care if they'd be gone
but today, oh boy, today, it's the top 3 companies on the planet involved 🤯
Like "vaporware booths" at Consumer Electronic Shows only stickier
@thomasfuchs If you believe in AI data centers or 180km long cities in the desert, I have a bridge to sell you.
@thomasfuchs Just read a whole book on the weirdo beliefs belying these types of things and I gotta say I think some of the billionaires saying them actually believe the dumb shit they're pretending will work.
But almost certainly a portion of it is "if you cannot dazzle them with your brilliance, baffle them with bullshit"
Wasn't there also a "name a star" scam going on at some point?
@thomasfuchs In Australia we call it a "bottom of the harbour scheme" after an infamous scam where people were sold land that was under the sea in Sydney Harbour.
Jumbo Mortgages
Collateralized Debt Obligations
Real Estate Investment Trusts
It's all one big bag of pig in a poke.
Never buy a pig in a poke.
@thomasfuchs Grifters gonna grift
@thomasfuchs It sounds exciting! How can I learn more? Is there some kind of seminar?
@thomasfuchs
Selling people real estate plots on the moon was another scam.
@thomasfuchs although you have to admit the concept of a Dyson sphere is pretty cool. The reality, perhaps not so much.
@chardlee Dyson spheres are lliterally a joke, as in Dyson published a paper that made fun of other physicists.
More about this:
https://youtu.be/fLzEX1TPBFM?si=NgK9nOU7ZEmdSQvC
@thomasfuchs Musk is just having a Special K day.
@thomasfuchs oh i thought you were going with bond villain machinations
It's all tame compared to a view to kill
@grumpasaurus maybe Silicon Valley should be flooded away
@thomasfuchs mi5 was the VILLAIN
@thomasfuchs Could it be that the plain-english medical term is "having shit for brains"?
