🚨 MUSK VS. ALTMAN: TRUMP 2.0’s STARGATE SPARKS BILLIONAIRE BEEF. Tech’s billionaires are at war, and AI’s future is in the crossfire. Stargate is Trump’s $500 billion plan to build data centers in America to power artificial intelligence. 🌌
—> MUSK’S FIRE: Elon Musk, head of xAI and the government’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), claims Stargate is overpromising its funding. “They don’t actually have the money,” Musk posted on X, alleging SoftBank is far short of the pledged capital.
—> ALTMAN’S COUNTER: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman clapped back, calling Musk’s claims false. “[Stargate] is great for the country,” Altman posted, adding, “I hope you’ll mostly put America first.”
—> THE BACKDROP: Musk and Altman’s rivalry is heating up. Musk’s xAI competes directly with OpenAI and has accused the company of anticompetitive practices.
hello, future. it’s me, kev.
…and this is a dispatch from the digital frontier. It’s time to meet the future NOW — with the latest on markets, tech, and freedom. The day is 22. The year is 2025. The planet is Earth. My name is Kevin Cirilli —> LinkedIn. Sign-up to receive the future in your inbox here.
STUCK IN THE PAST: CNN BUSINESS HEADLINE WRITERS:
Back to the future...
FUTURES
📈 TECH RALLIES, MARKETS EDGE HIGHER ON AI EXCITEMENT. Tech stocks led the charge today as AI optimism and strong earnings lifted the markets.
—> GAINS IN TECH: The S&P 500 rose 0.6%, just shy of its December record, while the Nasdaq surged 1.3%. The Dow posted a modest 0.3% increase.
—> NETFLIX SHINES: Netflix jumped after topping Wall Street’s profit expectations, fueling optimism across the tech sector. AI-driven momentum is keeping the spotlight on tech, even as broader markets face headwinds.
BARRON’s: Quantum Stocks Are Another Stargate Winner. How the Technology Will ‘Make AI Better.’
Meanwhile…
CRYPTO
🐕 DOGE DEPARTMENT GOES FULL MEME MODE: Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, is embracing the meme — proudly displaying the iconic dogecoin ($DOGE) logo on its official website. With Musk at the helm, the playful nod to cryptocurrency culture raises questions about how seriously this department plans to approach its mandate. Let’s unpack the DOGE connection.
—> DOGE.GOV: MORE THAN A MEME?: The department’s name, DOGE, and its adoption of the dogecoin logo, seem tailor-made to Musk’s personality. As a longtime advocate for $DOGE, Musk has tweeted extensively about the memecoin, calling it “the people’s crypto” and often boosting its market value with a single post. The branding choice aligns with Musk’s ethos of disrupting tradition — much like dogecoin, which began as a joke but became a multi-billion-dollar cryptocurrency.
—> WHAT IS A MEMECOIN?: A memecoin is a cryptocurrency that gains popularity largely through internet culture, memes, and social media buzz rather than intrinsic value or utility. Originally created as a joke in 2013, its community-driven growth has turned it into one of the most recognizable and traded cryptocurrencies.
—> DOGECOIN’S PLACE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: While DOGE’s connection to the department is symbolic, the memecoin’s ethos mirrors what Musk has promised for the department: efficiency, decentralization, and a lighthearted yet innovative approach to problem-solving. Dogecoin’s rise, driven by community enthusiasm rather than corporate backing, aligns with Musk’s vision of shaking up federal bureaucracy with unconventional methods.
—> WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT’S PURPOSE?: Officially, DOGE is tasked with identifying wasteful government practices and proposing cost-saving reforms. While the dogecoin branding doesn’t have any direct impact on its operations, it reinforces Musk’s knack for attention-grabbing tactics.
—> IS THIS LEGIT OR JUST A GIMMICK?: Critics argue that associating a federal department with a memecoin undermines its credibility, while others see it as Musk’s way of injecting humor and accessibility into government. Either way, the move has drawn attention, sparking debates about whether DOGE is serious about reform or simply riding the wave of crypto culture.
Sources: Cointelegraph.
SPACE
🚀 SPACE FORCE INVESTS $2.3B IN SATELLITE TECH FOR THE FUTURE: The U.S. Space Force is making a $2.3 billion leap into the future with next-gen satellite tech aimed at enhancing global communications, national security, and AI-driven space capabilities.
—> WHY YOU CARE MATTERS: This initiative focuses on maneuverable satellites in high orbit that are smaller, faster, and more flexible. These satellites will enable advanced AI-powered systems for real-time data analysis, secure communication, and even predictive threat detection in space.
—> LOOKING AHEAD: The program could redefine how satellites operate, moving from static, single-purpose systems to dynamic networks that adapt to shifting demands. This shift could pave the way for more reliable internet, improved disaster response, and the groundwork for autonomous space operations.
The Space Force’s investment ensures the U.S. leads in the AI-space tech revolution, shaping a smarter, more resilient future in orbit.
Source: Space News
QUANTUM // ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
🚨✨ POLYMATHS ARE BACK: AI’S FAVORITE NEW BRAINIACS 🧠🤖 Artificial intelligence is shaking up everything—and polymaths are stealing the spotlight. These modern Renaissance thinkers thrive at connecting the dots in a world powered by algorithms.
—> AI LOVES BIG THINKERS 🛠️ + 🎨: With AI taking over the grind, the future belongs to people who bridge tech, creativity, and strategy. Polymaths are blending tools like ChatGPT with outside-the-box ideas.
—> WHY IT MATTERS 🌍: Companies don’t just need coders—they need visionaries to shape AI’s potential. Polymaths are leading the charge toward innovation across all industries.
Source: Forbes.
Someone should make it a play…
GEOPOLITICS
🚨 TRUMP TO PUTIN: MAKE A DEAL OR FACE PENALTIES. President Donald Trump turned up the heat on Russia Wednesday, urging President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine or face financial penalties.
—> THE THREAT: On Truth Social, Trump warned he’d impose new taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on Russian imports to the U.S. and "other participating countries" if Putin doesn’t act swiftly to end the conflict.
—> CAMPAIGN PROMISES: Trump campaigned on pledges to bring the war to a rapid close but has acknowledged the challenges of a deal as Russian forces make steady advances. The U.S. remains Ukraine’s largest financial and military backer, but Trump has hinted he may scale down that support.
—> TRUMP’S MESSAGE: “I love the Russian people,” Trump wrote. “This war never would have started if I were President. Let’s MAKE A DEAL. No more lives should be lost!!!”
Source: NPR.
ONE MORE THING
🎯 META + OAKLEY: SMART GLASSES FOR ATHLETES 🕶️🤖 Meta is gearing up to launch Oakley smart glasses this year, targeting athletes like runners and cyclists. The glasses, based on Oakley’s Sphaera model, will feature AI-powered tech and a camera centered on the frame for better capture.
—> MORE THAN RAY-BAN 🎨: Meta is branching out from its Ray-Ban partnership and exploring Luxottica’s other high-end eyewear brands, hinting at a future full of stylish, AI-integrated options.
—> ATHLETE-READY TECH 🚴: These glasses are designed for performance—bringing cutting-edge AI features to outdoor sports and fitness.
Source: CNET.
With gratitude,
Kev
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