In Tolkien´s "Lord of the Rings" (or at least in the LOTR films), Sauron uses magical crystal balls known as palantírs to spy on Middle Earth. The palantírs are Sauron´s "eyes". Or a fantasy-esque form of surveillence technology, if you like. However, the sinister crystals can also be used to brainwash and control select people. Thus, the wizard Saruman (who was originally good) is "turned" and joins the dark side through the power of Sauron transmitted by one of the palantírs.
And yeah, after reading Wiki´s nerdy entry on the topic, I realize that the full story is much more subtle than in Jackson´s movie adaption. But...
While created by the Elves, the palantírs are at best ambivalent, at worst evil. Apparently, they were Tolkien´s Christian-inspired warning against magic and pagan divination. Which still makes it...I don´t know...strange that Peter Thiel calls his computer software business Palantir. Yes, this would be the same Thiel who "created" J D Vance, the current vice president of the United States and heir-apparent to a certain Donald Trump. So who is Sauron and who is Saruman in this scenario? Asking for a friend named Gandalf!
Thiel has double citizenship, the US and New Zealand. It´s almost as if I want to write a science fiction short story in which Thiel and Vance tries to overthrow Trump, fails, Thiel escaping to New Zealand in the process. The story ends with Trump ordering the Joint Chiefs of Staff to invade the Pacific island-nation (a US ally). Suspense ending!
Or is this too realistic? I mean, I don´t want to get arrested next time I show my ass in the Lower 48. Or on the North Island, for that matter.
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