A lawsuit filed in Delaware bankruptcy court has revealed that Gabe Bankman-Fried, the younger brother of Sam Bankman-Fried and a former top lobbyist for the failed crypto exchange FTX, had contemplated acquiring the island nation of Nauru in the Pacific. His intention was to establish a fortified bunker-state to safeguard his philanthropic allies and create a genetically enhanced human species, in the event of a catastrophic scenario where a significant portion of the global population perishes. The lawsuit, brought forth by attorneys from Sullivan & Cromwell, seeks to recover billions of dollars following the collapse of FTX.
The allure of bunker living has captivated many tech billionaires, particularly those who identify as doomsday preppers. Such individuals also exhibit a fascination with purchasing vast estates or even owning small islands in the Pacific. During his tenure at FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, Gabe’s elder brother, championed a philanthropic lifestyle known as effective altruism and established a philanthropic division to further this cause. Devotees of effective altruism strive to maximize their income to make substantial donations that they believe will benefit humanity the most.
Gabe Bankman-Fried, serving as FTX’s prominent figure in Washington, D.C., had connections to bipartisan charitable contributions totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. Alongside an undisclosed philanthropic officer from FTX, he contemplated the acquisition of Nauru, partially with the aim of promoting “sensible regulation around human genetic enhancement” and constructing a laboratory on the island.
Nevertheless, a representative from Nauru has confirmed that the island nation has never been and is not currently up for sale. Nauru, situated approximately 2,100 miles away from Brisbane, Australia, has a population of around 12,000. FTX lawyers assert that the Bankman-Fried team sought to establish an emergency base on the island, specifically designed for themselves and a select group of effective altruists, in the event of an apocalypse.
Furthermore, a memorandum exchanged between Gabe Bankman-Fried and the philanthropic advisor, mentioned in the lawsuit, suggests that Nauru could serve other purposes aside from being a haven in times of crisis. The potential uses of owning a sovereign country were alluded to in this correspondence.
The Intersection of Philanthropy and Survivalism
The revelation of Gabe Bankman-Fried’s interest in procuring Nauru showcases the intersection of philanthropy and survivalism among influential figures in the tech industry. It highlights a growing trend among billionaires who are not only dedicated to making a positive impact on the world but also preparing for worst-case scenarios.
The concept of establishing fortified states or bunkers to safeguard oneself and a select few is not entirely new. It reflects a mindset that seeks to preserve humanity’s progress while simultaneously planning for its potential downfall. The Bankman-Fried brothers’ fascination with effective altruism, genetic enhancement, and the acquisition of Nauru as a base for their endeavors exemplifies this complex ideology.
Although the plans presented in the lawsuit were never realized, they shed light on the perplexing yet intriguing mindset of individuals who possess vast wealth and influence. The paradoxical desire to make the world a better place through philanthropy, while simultaneously preparing for catastrophic events, raises questions about the motivations and priorities of such individuals.
As the world continues to grapple with various challenges, from climate change to pandemics, the actions and ideologies of tech billionaires like the Bankman-Fried brothers will undoubtedly remain a subject of fascination and debate. The pursuit of effective altruism and the exploration of survivalist strategies represent two seemingly contrasting paths, but they converge in the minds of those who possess the means to shape the future.
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