this post was submitted on 16 Dec 2025
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After viral interview, Palantir launches neurodivergent fellowship (mashable.com)
submitted 1 week ago by AcidiclyBasicGlitch@sh.itjust.works to c/technology@lemmy.world
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Alex Karp, the CEO of controversial tech company Palantir, raised eyebrows during a recent live interview with the New York Times. In a viral video of the discussion, Karp defended his company to the Times' Andrew Ross Sorkin, gesturing dramatically with his arms, bouncing up and down on his chair, and struggling to make his point.

Palantir’s X account shared the video on Sunday morning and announced Karp is launching The Neurodivergent Fellowship: "If you find yourself relating to [Karp] in this video — unable to sit still, or thinking faster than you can speak — we encourage you to apply."

Palantir announced Karp himself would conduct final interviews for the fellowship. In a reply to the first message on X, the company included an application link to the fellowship, which is available in Palantir’s New York City and Washington, D.C. offices.

"The current LLM tech landscape positions [neurodivergent people] to dominate," according to the application. "Pattern recognition. Non-linear thinking. Hyperfocus. The cognitive traits that make the neurodivergent different are precisely what make them exceptional in an AI-driven world."

Palantir, a data and analytics company co-founded by conservative "kingmaker" Peter Thiel, was quick to argue that the fellowship is not a DEI initiative.

"Palantir is launching the Neurodivergent Fellowship as a recruitment pathway for exceptional neurodivergent talent," according to the application, "This is not a diversity initiative. We believe neurodivergent individuals will have a competitive advantage as elite builders of the next technological era, and we're hiring accordingly for all roles."

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[–] AcidiclyBasicGlitch@sh.itjust.works 18 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (5 children)

The cognitive traits that make the neurodivergent different are precisely what make them exceptional in an AI-driven world.” Palantir, a data and analytics company co-founded by conservative “kingmaker” Peter Thiel, was quick to argue that the fellowship is not a DEI initiative. “This is not a diversity initiative. We believe neurodivergent individuals will have a competitive advantage as elite builders of the next technological era, and we’re hiring accordingly for all roles.”

Wow, that's super deep and profound. Maybe I had these people all wrong.

So, essentially, you believe there are likely very talented people who don't fit within the neat little box of what success is "supposed to typically look like." They might even be looked over or excluded simply because they don't fit into that box, but you are wise enough to see past that. You understand that the very traits that lead to their exclusion, may also provide them with a unique perspective that is often lacking in everyone who does fit neatly into that homogeneous box. And that carving out a place on the team that allows for the unique perspective of those divergent people, can actually be an advantage to everyone...

[–] rimu@piefed.social 11 points 1 week ago

Maybe it's a coded way of saying "the cognitive traits of sociopaths are what will make you do exceptionally well at Palentir, apply now".

As if that wasn't already obvious.

Or just an elaborate cover for a guy who overdid the pre-interview coke dosage.

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