Do what's best for you! скачать в хорошем качестве

Do what's best for you!

Palmer Luckey, the founder of Oculus VR (acquired by Facebook—now Meta—in 2014 for over $2 billion), was fired in 2017 amid controversy over his political donations to a pro-Trump group. This led to widespread media scrutiny and internal pressure at Facebook, which the company denied was politically motivated. Fast-forward to October 2025: Luckey appeared on The Free Press*' podcast *Honestly with host Bari Weiss, in an episode titled "Palmer Luckey and the Future of American Power," released around October 18. The discussion covered his ouster, his defense-tech company Anduril, U.S. industrial decline, and AI in warfare. A key segment addressed his ongoing relationship with Meta, including a recent collaboration on an AI-powered VR/AR headset announced earlier in 2025. Luckey's comments on "dealing with" Facebook were pragmatic rather than vindictive, framed as a strategic choice in a high-stakes tech landscape. He explicitly stated: “I will cover it up. I will literally just let them get away with the crimes that they committed if it means that I’m more successful in my mission.” This reflects a shift from his earlier self-description as a "crusader for vengeance" (from a 2024 interview), where he hinted at settling scores but chose silence to avoid derailing his goals. Key Inferences from His Statements From the transcript and clips shared on X (formerly Twitter), here's what can be reasonably inferred about Luckey's mindset, strategy, and broader implications: 1. **Pragmatism Over Personal Grudges**: Luckey hasn't forgiven Facebook for what he views as wrongful termination and internal sabotage (e.g., executives pressuring him to support a rival candidate and fostering a "witch hunt" environment). However, he prioritizes long-term wins. By "covering it up," he means avoiding public mudslinging or legal escalation—despite a past $100 million+ settlement negotiation—because it could jeopardize partnerships. Inference: He's a calculated operator who sees public feuds as distractions in a zero-sum game, especially when Meta's VR investments (ironically built on Oculus tech) align with his interests in advancing immersive tech. 2. **Mission-Driven Success as the Ultimate "Revenge"**: Luckey's "mission" centers on Anduril's role in rebuilding American defense capabilities—autonomous drones, AI sensors, and countering rivals like China. Collaborating with Meta isn't capitulation; it's leveraging their resources (e.g., the AI headset project) to amplify his influence. He frames this as outmaneuvering his old foes by thriving independently. Inference: True "dealing with" Facebook means building parallel power structures (Anduril's $14B+ valuation and DoD contracts) that eclipse Oculus's legacy, turning past betrayal into fuel for national-security innovation. It's less about destruction and more about transcendence—echoing his podcast quip about his "I told you so" tour. 3. **Awareness of Power Dynamics in Tech**: Luckey holds "all the cards" now, as he put it in prior interviews, thanks to his Trump-aligned network (he's hosted fundraisers) and bipartisan defense appeal. But he acknowledges Meta's clout in consumer tech. By staying quiet, he's signaling maturity to investors and allies while keeping leverage for future deals. Inference: This reveals a savvy understanding of Silicon Valley's interconnected ecosystem—alliances shift (Zuckerberg recently praised him as an "impressive free-thinker"), and burning bridges risks isolation. It also hints at Luckey's evolution from a cosplay-loving tinkerer to a defense "Vulcan" forging weapons for America. 4. **Broader Cultural Critique**: Tying into *The Free Press*' ethos of "fair, fearless" journalism, Luckey used the platform to lambast cancel culture and media bias (e.g., outlets ignoring Trump's viability). His restraint with Facebook underscores a meta-point: In polarized times, selective silence can be a weapon sharper than outrage. Inference: He's modeling resilience for founders—build reputation through action, not reaction—and positioning Anduril as a bulwark against "woke" tech erosion of U.S. edge. In short, Luckey's approach infers a cold-eyed realism: "Dealing with" Facebook isn't confrontation but quiet conquest. By burying the hatchet (temporarily), he's ensuring his bigger fight—securing America's tech dominance—doesn't get sidetracked by yesterday's drama. If you're interested, the full episode is available on The Free Press site or podcast apps for the unfiltered dive.