I’ve heard it’s from LOTR but I’m not very into that but want to understand what that foreshadows for this dystopian data grabbing nightmare company

  • neidu3@sh.itjust.worksMEnglish
    0·
    10 days ago

    Simplified: It’s a crystal ball that allows you to see through space. However, the target can also see you.

    Think of it like one of those crying scrying (ducking autocorrect) balls from the Disney movies. Or a two-way-camera setup.

    Can’t wait for some terminally online dork with a python script to figure out that the god password for Palantir is “StudMuffin1234” and dump everything online, thus making the two-way aspect a reality…

    EDIT: Just for the record, it’s been over 30 years since I read the books. I may remember it incorrectly.

    • mrmacduggan@lemmy.mlEnglish
      1·
      10 days ago

      The concept is used by Palantir the corporation to refer to the fact that they are placing the world under malevolent surveillance. And they’re clearly proud of that malevolence. Yucky.

    • Diplomjodler@lemmy.world
      0·
      10 days ago

      The palantirs were mainly used by the evil side during the time the books are set in. Specifically, Sauron (main bad guy) uses it to draw Saruman (former good guy turned bad) to his side.

      • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        10 days ago

        Hah! Terry Pratchett could have run with that.

        Granny Weatherwax: “What’s wrong with your ball thingie? Looks leaky.”

        Magrat: “Oh! I got it from Boffo Novelty and Joke Shop (No. 4, Tenth Egg Street, Ankh-Morpork). It’s supposed to be a top-of-the-line scrying ball!”

        Weatherwax: “You got swindled you wet hen. That’s a crying ball if I ever sees one.”

        Nanny Oog: “Now Granny, give young Magrat a break. Here honey, have a shot of this. Always puts me right on top of the world! And sometimes on the bottom, which is just as well.”

        Weatherwax: “I can’t be havin’ with you two. Goats need fed.” (jump starts her crappy broom)