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The John Johnston Lounge

John Johnston

Welcome to The John Johnston Lounge, where tech, business, politics, and culture collide.

Join host John Johnston (JJ) for a daily breakdown of some of the most powerful tech companies and people. JJ goes beyond the headlines to critique the unusual psychology, strategies, and politics of tech billionaires Elon Musk (Tesla and SpaceX), Sam Altman (OpenAI), Peter Thiel (Palantir), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), and others.

Whether it's an inflating AI bubble, a Silicon Valley coup, or the politics of the "Rogansphere," we cover it with critical depth, zero sycophancy, and a healthy dose of humor!

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  • 22 episodes
  • daily
  • Avg 13 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • Friday · 12 min

    Broligarchs In Panic: 'The Nerd Reich' Just Hit Bestseller

    John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how Gil Duran’s new book, The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism And The War On Democracy, is now a New York Times Bestseller. In the book, Duran details how Silicon Valley has been “taken over by a cult of radical billionaires, who see the destruction of democracy through technology as their destiny”. However, the more people know about their plans, the more they hate it; which is why Gil Duran’s new book is so important. The Nerd Reich, Gil Duran, Silicon Valley, Broligarchs, Tech Oligarchs, Silicon Valley Fascism, War On Democracy, Tech Billionaires, Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, Technofascism, New York Times Bestseller, John Johnston, The Johnston Lounge, The John Johnston Lounge, Political Commentary, Tech Politics, Corporate Rule, Tech Supremacy, Democracy Under Attack

  • Thursday · 14 min

    Inside Peter Thiel’s Bet To Control Washington: A Warning

    John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how tech oligarchs Peter Thiel and Elon Musk have been seeking to influence U.S. politics in a big way. As Gil Duran details, in Peter Thiel’s case, that’s through funding and influencing the rise of JD Vance.. These tech billionaire “broligarchs” have anti-democratic, un-American political intentions. Referenced video: Trump White House CAPTURED by Tech Oligarchs?!?! | Legal AF https://youtu.be/v_NWH2vue3M Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, JD Vance, Gil Duran, tech oligarchs, broligarchs, Silicon Valley politics, US politics, tech billionaires political influence, political analysis, John Johnston Lounge,, democracy, tech power, Washington politics

  • Wednesday · 13 min

    Tech Broligarchs PANIC As They Trigger Their Own Ruin

    John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how the tech “broligarchs” or Silicon Valley tech billionaires are starting to panic, as they can see the escalating public backlash about what they have been doing with emerging AI technology, including building numerous data centres and a surveillance network. Related video: Why Elon Musk Is Terrified of This New Book https://youtu.be/-DD-3OJG2qc Referenced videos: Silicon Valley PANICS Over Public Hatred Fueling Wealth Tax | Breaking Points https://youtu.be/u3Hepnz5cqs EMERGENCY MEMO: Tech Oligarchs PANIC Over Anti-Data Center Movement https://youtu.be/aJuQpCZel_k AI Bubble: ‘They did such a good job shooting themselves in the foot’ | Brian Merchant https://youtu.be/XebCktUxl2I "He Was Entirely Created by Peter Thiel": How Tech Billionaires Invaded the White House | The Nerd Reich with Gil Duran https://youtu.be/lEIjoG8zgMo AI Backlash, Tech Billionaires, Silicon Valley, Data Centers, AI Surveillance, Tech Broligarchs, Big Tech, AI Bubble, John Johnston, The John Johnston Lounge, Artificial Intelligence, AI Boom, Tech News, Mass Surveillance, Tech Oligarchs —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

  • August 24 · 15 min

    The Real Estate Domino Effect Has Begun

    John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the property market bust that’s been happening in New Zealand, and whether it could now be spreading to Australia, and beyond. Related epsiode: New Zealand’s Housing Market Crash: A Warning To The World https://open.spotify.com/episode/7uuZ23kRqtEGjAZG9A8VL7 Referenced video clips: People selling up now are losing more on their properties than you think | Stuff NZ https://youtu.be/YEj8Zin9M7A Unemployment hits 11-year high – with Bernard Hickey | The Spinoff https://youtu.be/2bO1eCmk_-o Mike's Minute: Our housing market is smashing Australia's | Newstalk ZB https://youtu.be/ygicPStGL_0 housing market, housing market crash, australia housing, new zealand housing, property market, real estate, real estate crash, australia property, new zealand property, john johnston —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

  • August 21 · 17 min

    New Zealand’s Housing Market Crash: A Warning To The World

    John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how his home country of New Zealand is now experiencing a long housing market bust, after a massive bubble that built-up over many years, that most people came to see as “normal”. JJ also looks a possible lessons for other places in the world, including right now “across the ditch” in Australia. Referenced videos: The Real Reason You Can't Afford a House | Patrick Boyle https://youtu.be/qROG2uXPChY NZ seeing biggest and longest property market downturn in nearly 50 years | Stuff NZ https://youtu.be/a8wtF1qmWMs New Zealand housing, housing market crash, real estate bubble, housing market, economy warning, Australia real estate, real estate crash, house price crash, NZ economy, economic warning, housing market update, John Johnston, The John Johnston Lounge —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

  • August 20 · 11 min

    AI Bubble: EU Central Bank Warns AI Crash Coming

    John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how analysis published by the European Central Bank has made the case this week that a “market correction” to AI investment euphoria is highly probable, and has the potential for far-reaching financial consequences. It’s not the only institution that has recently warned of this. ai bubble, ecb, european central bank, market crash, finance news, tech stocks, economy, stock market, johnston lounge —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

  • August 19 · 13 min

    Are You Being Tracked? Flock Camera Controversy Escalates

    John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the current controversy surrounding Flock cameras in the US. There’s a massive public backlash from people concerned about mass surveillance and misuse of the technology, and the growing number of Flock cameras all of the country. Flock Cameras, Mass Surveillance, Privacy Rights, Big Brother, Tech News, JJ Lounge, John Johnston, Police State, ALPR, Civil Liberties, Data Privacy, Surveillance State, Flock Safety, Government Surveillance, Current Events —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

  • August 18 · 12 min

    How Big Tech Fascists Are Hijacking Democracy | Gil Durán

    John Johnston (JJ) breaks down Gil Durán’s new book, The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy, which is being released today. JJ reacts to part of a Democracy Now interview with Durán, in which he discusses the book, which includes Silicon Valley fascists such as Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Curtis Yarvin and more. Referenced video: "The Nerd Reich": Author Gil Durán on Big Tech Fascism, Peter Thiel, JD Vance & the War on Democracy | Democracy Now https://youtu.be/sg7YNUbaV-8 The Nerd Reich, Gil Duran, Big Tech, Silicon Valley, Tech Fascism, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Curtis Yarvin, Democracy Now, War On Democracy, Political Commentary, John Johnston, JJ Lounge JOIN THE LOUNGE: To support the channel, unlock priority replies, early video access, and member-only videos, join here: https://www.youtube.com/@thejohnjohnstonlounge/join

  • August 17 · 13 min

    Musked? Why Tesla Retail Investors Are Big Mad At Elon

    John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how more and more Tesla retail investors are getting mad at Elon, as Tesla seems to be languishing, with the stock price going down and underperforming over the past five years, while Elon seems way more excited about SpaceX. Referenced video: I Can't Stay Quiet on Tesla & SpaceX Anymore! https://youtu.be/tfj5RxkKmOw | Hans Nelson and Farzad Tesla, Elon Musk, TSLA, Tesla stock, SpaceX, retail investors, investing, stock market, finance, John Johnston Lounge, Tesla news, Elon Musk news, stock market news, stock market analysis, TSLA stock price —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

  • August 17 · 11 min

    Is SpaceX The Next Enron? | Kara Swisher

    ohn Johnston (JJ) reacts to part of a recent episode of On with Kara Swisher, in which a panel discuses the question: Is SpaceX the next Enron? The panel includes Ed Elson from Prof G Markets, Tim Higgins from The Wall Street Journal, and Bethany McLean, who co-authored the book The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron. Referenced video: “This is a genuine scandal”: The SpaceX IPO and why it matters | On with Kara Swisher https://youtu.be/0z_W7S1XmL0 SpaceX, Kara Swisher, Enron, Elon Musk, On with Kara Swisher, Ed Elson, Prof G Markets, Tim Higgins, Bethany McLean, John Johnston, JJ, The John Johnston Lounge, The Johnston Lounge, reaction, reaction video, podcast reaction, business news, tech news, financial scandal, Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair, The Smartest Guys in the Room —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

  • August 12 · 11 min

    Why Elon Musk is Terrified of This New Book by Gil Duran

    John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how journalist Gil Duran has a new book that argues a small circle of Silicon Valery billionaires, including Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and Marc Andreessen, have come to believe that democracy is in their way, and that only they and their technologies should govern in its place. Referenced channel: The Nerd Reich with Gil Duran https://www.youtube.com/@TheNerdReichNews Elon Musk, Silicon Valley, Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, Gil Duran, Technocracy, Tech Billionaires, Democracy, Political Commentary, Tech News, Tech Oligarchs, Silicon Valley Politics, Book Review, Tech Ideology, John Johnston

  • August 11 · 11 min

    SpaceX Stock Price: It’s Fairy Dust & Magic Wands | Scott Galloway

    John Johnston (JJ) reacts to Scott Galloway and Ed Elson on Prof G Markets podcast, in which they break down the stock, following the SpaceX first earnings report, and the stock dropping dramatically before the first insider stock-lockup ended. They both think SpaceX stock is being way overvalued by the market. SpaceX, SpaceX stock, Scott Galloway, Prof G Markets, John Johnston, stock market, investing, SpaceX valuation, Elon Musk, tech stocks, stock analysis, Prof G, Ed Elson, stock market reaction, finance, SpaceX earnings, overvalued stocks, stock market podcast, stock breakdown —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

  • August 10 · 15 min

    Aswath Damodaran: “My Bet Is We’ve Hit Peak AI...”

    John Johnston (JJ) reacts to some of a couple of recent interviews with “The Dean of Valuation”, Prof. Aswath Damodaran, who thinks there will be more market, and specifically AI-related stock corrections to come. Prof. Damodaran thinks the current market situation rhymes with the historic Dot Com Bubble. Aswath Damodaran, Stock Market Correction, AI Bubble, Market Crash, Dot Com Bubble, Stock Valuation, Investing, Stock Market News, Magnificent Seven, John Johnston, The Johnston Lounge, John Johnston Lounge, Finance Reaction —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

  • August 10 · 12 min

    SpaceX Stock Rockets After Lockup Ends Because...

    John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how SpaceX stock (SPCX) rocketed-up straight after the first stock lock-up ended, becoming a buy-the-news stock market event, which surprised quite a few market observers, including Eli The Computer Guy. JJ reacts to a video from Eli on the subject, and also from Chris Norlund. SpaceX, SpaceX Stock, SPCX, Elon Musk, Stock Market, Investing, Lockup Period, Stock Market News, Eli The Computer Guy, Chris Norlund, The John Johnston Lounge, John Johnston, Buy The News, SpaceX IPO, Finance Reaction —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

  • August 7 · 13 min

    AI Bubble Falters: AI Company Skeptics Out in Force

    John Johnston (JJ) reacts to some clips of some liked-minded podcasters, including House of El: AI, Eli The Computer Guy, Chris Norlund, and The Tech Report. They are similarly skeptical of some AI-related companies and technologies, riding high during the AI Bubble. Referenced YT channels: House of El: AI https://www.youtube.com/@houseofel-ai Eli The Computer Guy https://www.youtube.com/@elithecomputerguy Chris Norlund https://www.youtube.com/@realchris The Tech Report https://www.youtube.com/@TheTechReportTR AI bubble, artificial intelligence bubble, tech skeptics, Eli the Computer Guy, Chris Norlund, The Tech Report, House of El AI, John Johnston, The John Johnston Lounge, AI company skeptics, tech news, artificial intelligence, AI crash, AI hype, AI market bubble, tech podcast, tech critique, tech bubble, tech commentary, AI industry news —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

  • August 7 · 13 min

    SpaceX Stock Crashes: Elon Skeptics Out in Force

    John Johnston (JJ) reacts to some videos by some liked-minded podcasters, including House of El: AI, Eli The Computer Guy, and Chris Norlund. They are similarly skeptical of Elon Musk and his claims and “predictions” for SpaceX. Referenced YT channels: House of El: AI https://www.youtube.com/@houseofel-ai Eli The Computer Guy https://www.youtube.com/@elithecomputerguy Chris Norlund https://www.youtube.com/@realchris SpaceX, Elon Musk, SpaceX stock, Elon skeptics, John Johnston, House of El AI, Eli The Computer Guy, Chris Norlund, stock market, tech news, podcast reaction, SpaceX stock crash, tech stock analysis, Elon Musk predictions, SpaceX news —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

  • August 6 · 11 min

    SpaceX Stock Crashing as SpaceX Crashes into Moon

    John Johnston (JJ) breaks down SpaceX has been crashing on two fronts. SpaceX stock has been crashing since its post-IPO peak, and a SpaceX rocket has accidentally crashed into the Moon, creating a big new crater. SpaceX, SpaceX Stock, Moon Crash, Elon Musk, Stock Market, SpaceX IPO, Investing, Stock Market News, SpaceX News, Falcon 9, Finance News, Space News, John Johnston, The John Johnston Lounge, SpaceX Crash, Moon Impact, Finance, Investing News —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

  • August 6 · 15 min

    SpaceX Pumpers Out in Force as Stock Crashes

    John Johnston (JJ) breaks down SpaceX pumpers are out in force after the company’s first earnings report as a public company. SpaceX stock dropped over 13% in reaction to earnings, and is now more than 50% down from its post-IPO peak. SpaceX, SpaceX stock, stock market, Elon Musk, investing, stocks to watch, stock market crash, finance, Starlink, John Johnston, The John Johnston Lounge, stock analysis, IPO, SpaceX earnings, stock crash, value investing, finance news, tech stocks, stock market news —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

  • August 5 · 12 min

    Riiight. Elon Claims SpaceX Revenue to Hit $1T by 2030

    John Johnston (JJ) breaks down some of Elon Musk’s grand claims for SpaceX in the coming years, made in the first SpaceX Earnings Call, including reaching $1 trillion in revenue by 2030, and maybe by 2029. SpaceX, Elon Musk, SpaceX Earnings Call, Starlink, John Johnston, The John Johnston Lounge, SpaceX Revenue, SpaceX 1 Trillion, SpaceX News, Tech News, Tesla, Mars Mission, SpaceX Stock, Financial News —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

  • August 5 · 14 min

    Why SpaceX Stock Dumped on Earnings

    John Johnston (JJ) breaks down what happening with SpaceX Earnings and Space Earnings Call with Elon, for the stock to drop nearly 8% after hours. What did investors not like about SpaceX earnings? Referenced video: SpaceX crashes after Elon call | Chris Norlund: https://youtu.be/qm77VRKXdeY SpaceX, SpaceX stock, SpaceX earnings, Elon Musk, why SpaceX stock dropped, SpaceX stock crash, SpaceX earnings call, SPCX stock, SpaceX stock news, stock market news, stock market update, space stocks, Starlink stock, earnings report, stock market, John Johnston, The John Johnston Lounge, investing, stock analysis —— Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

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