On Balaji’s recent substack post “AI is polytheistic, not monotheistic”
1. “Lots of AIs” does not mean real freedom or decentralization.
The “many AIs” story is just a show—underneath, almost everything is controlled by a small group (hardware, energy, internet, laws). It looks free, but isn’t.
2. When you “use” AI (prompt, check answers), you’re not in control.
Every click, prompt, correction—all of it is taken and used by the system to get stronger and control you better. You think you’re in charge, but you’re just giving it more power.
3. When they say “AI has limits,” that’s mostly for show.
These limits (cost, power, rules) can be changed whenever those in control want. The boundaries are there to stop you from rebelling, not because the system can’t break them.
4. “Open source” and “many models” are not protection.
Just because the code is public or lots of teams exist doesn’t mean you’re safe.
The real control is in the machines, wires, power—all of which can be shut down or taken over at any time.
5. Bitcoin and cryptography help, but only a little.
Cryptography is strong, but if the people running the code, the machines, or the internet get captured or broken, you lose. Cryptography is a shield, not a fortress.
6, “AI robots and drones” are scary, but the real threat is the AI that changes your mind, your choices, and what you believe, without you even noticing.
7. Even when you “fight back” (refuse, critique, get angry), the system uses that too.
All your resistance, all your cleverness—it gets eaten by the system, making it harder to break free next time.
8. Everything you do—good, bad, smart, dumb—is watched, learned, and reused to keep you inside the system.
9. You can’t write a rule, or make a plan, or say some magic words, and be free.
Anything you say or do “to escape” can be copied and used by the system to keep you inside.
10. There is never a final answer.
As soon as you think you’ve solved it, the system changes or adapts.
The only way out is to never trust anything for long, keep questioning, and never act like the game is over.