Michael Froid
418 posts
@michaelfroid
PhD Student in Religion at Syracuse. Interested in Political Theology, Ernst Bloch’s Utopian Thought, and Marxism. he/him
ROME (Reuters) - Peter Thiel, the U.S. billionaire venture capitalist and early supporter of President Donald Trump, launched on Sunday a series of closed-door lectures in Rome exploring the concept of the Antichrist, drawing scrutiny from Catholic commentators, @crispiandjb reports. The invitation-only conference, which runs until Wednesday, is not open to the press and its venue has not been publicly disclosed. Organisers quoted in the media say participants are drawn from academia, technology and religious circles. A co-founder of Palantir Technologies, an AI software company with deep ties to the U.S. defense and intelligence agencies, Thiel has in recent years devoted increasing attention to religious and philosophical ideas. Last year he held a similar series of talks in San Francisco exploring the possibility that the Antichrist - a figure who opposes or denies Christ - could emerge on the global stage. In particular, Thiel has said he is wary that an Antichrist will emerge who will create a one-world government on the promise of something like stopping nuclear, AI or climate-induced disaster. Thiel, 58, grew up in an Evangelical Christian family and has said Christianity shapes his worldview. His visit has caught the attention of the Roman Catholic Church, which, under Pope Leo, the first U.S. pontiff, has openly criticised some of Trump's right-wing policies. Leo has also warned of the dangers posed by AI. Catholic universities in Rome denied press speculation that they might be hosting the event and no meeting is scheduled between Thiel and Leo, according to the pope's official agenda.
⚠️ CRUDE OIL SURGES 20% — HITS $111/BARREL; STOCK FUTURES FALL
💢 “Black rain” and “nuclear winter” effect reported in Tehran after Israeli strikes on oil facilities ▪️ Israeli strikes on oil depots around Tehran have released massive quantities of toxic hydrocarbons, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. Mixed with rainwater, these chemicals are causing highly acidic precipitation that can cause skin burns and severe lung damage upon contact, according to Iranian authorities. ▪️ Dense plumes of black smoke from the Shahran and other refineries have blotted out the sun, plunging parts of the city into darkness and creating a "nuclear winter" effect, NYT reported. Authorities warned that these noxious fumes cause acute respiratory distress and eye irritation. ▪️ Oil-saturated rainwater has blanketed the city, leaving rooftops, balconies, and streets covered in a thick, murky black liquid and oily soot. This contamination poses a long-term risk of heavy metals like nickel and vanadium leaching into the soil and local water systems. ▪️ Environmental groups warn the pollution threatens migratory birds crossing the Persian Gulf. The "black rain" and smoke plumes can cause internal organ damage and destroy the insulating properties of bird feathers, leading to hypothermia and death. The Iranian Red Crescent Society warned of the dangers of the rain, advising residents to protect themselves and to cover exposed food from oily soot particles. Officials said the rain is highly corrosive and could potentially damage civilian structures. 🎥 Day time in Iran (clip via @tparsi). CNN reports on “oil rain” below.
"She [Susan Collins] is more interested in their profits [AIPAC donors and the defense industry] than the shame that we bring upon ourselves when we kill children." Watch Maine Democratic U.S. Senate candidate @grahamformaine confront Republican Senator Susan Collins.
on his deathbed, Carl Schmitt was terrorized by a hallucinatory demonic entity he called Kra
My Fellow Shakespeareans - I’ve recorded all 154 Sonnets for my latest project, “Patrick Stewart Performs the Complete Sonnets of William Shakespeare”. This special audio production is available to listen to April 7. Preorder now: audible.com/pd/Patrick-Ste… @SimonAudio
