We talk about a new innovation in focus groups and public polling called “silicon sampling” — or a new way that models which claim to represent the world are actually engines that shape reality. The art, science, and illusion of modelling human beliefs and behaviors has always been riddled with problems, but now it's being done on a much grander scale using intrinsically impenetrable techniques. From there we further crystallize our grand theory of the World Casino.

••• This Is What Will Ruin Public Opinion Polling for Good https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/06/opinion/ai-polling.html

••• The Bookmaker https://thepointmag.com/politics/the-bookmaker/#

••• The Casino That’s Eating the World https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/23/opinion/prediction-markets-gambling.html

Standing Plugs:

••• Order Jathan’s book: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520398078/the-mechanic-and-the-luddite

••• Subscribe to Ed’s substack: https://substack.com/@thetechbubble

••• Subscribe to TMK on patreon for premium episodes: https://www.patreon.com/thismachinekills

Hosted by Jathan Sadowski (bsky.app/profile/jathansadowski.com) and Edward Ongweso Jr. (www.x.com/bigblackjacobin). Production / Music by Jereme Brown (bsky.app/profile/jebr.bsky.social)