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# David Gelernter Dossier
## Overview
David Hillel Gelernter, born in 1955, is a Yale University professor of computer science, artist, writer, and conservative commentator. He is known for pioneering work in parallel computing and visionary ideas about the internet, as well as his writings on Judaism and cultural critiques. Gelernter survived a 1993 mail bomb attack by the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, which left him with permanent injuries. His career spans academia, technology entrepreneurship, and political involvement, including ties to figures like Jeffrey Epstein, Peter Thiel, and circles around Elon Musk and Donald Trump. This dossier focuses on his Hebrew studies, Epstein connections, technological contributions, and links to Thiel, Musk, and related networks, incorporating relevant images and news excerpts from key events.
## Hebrew Studies and Artistic Pursuits
Gelernter's academic foundation is rooted in Jewish scholarship. He graduated cum laude from Yale in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in classical Hebrew literature, focusing on the Hebrew Bible and related texts. This background influenced his later work, including his 2009 book *Judaism: A Way of Being*, which he began conceptualizing as an undergraduate but completed after decades of life experience. The book explores Judaism as a visual and experiential framework, emphasizing themes like family, sanctity, and God's presence in the world. Gelernter argues that modern Reform and Conservative Judaism have diluted traditional practices and that feminism disrupts sacred gender roles.
His Hebrew studies intersect with his art: In 2012-2013, he exhibited "Sh’ma/Listen" at Yeshiva University Museum, featuring eroticized Hebrew letters inspired by discussions with Epstein (detailed below). Gelernter's grandfather was a rabbi, and he has described Judaism as "a new Psalter" in his writings. He has also publicly rejected Darwinian evolution, citing the Cambrian explosion and intelligent design, framing it as an "academic religion."
**News Clipping Example:** In a 2009 Publishers Weekly interview, Gelernter explained resuming his Judaism book after his rabbi grandfather's death: "I earned a master’s degree in Hebrew Bible at Yale... but changed careers and received a doctorate in computer science." *(Yale's Sterling Memorial Library, symbolizing his early studies there.)*
## Technological Contributions
Gelernter earned his Ph.D. in computer science from Stony Brook University in 1982, focusing on distributed processing. He joined Yale's faculty in the 1980s, co-developing the Linda programming system with Nicholas Carriero, introducing tuple spaces that influenced JavaSpaces and Jini. His 1991 book *Mirror Worlds* presciently described data-integrated digital realms, foreshadowing the web and metaverse. He founded Mirror Worlds Technologies, releasing Scopeware in 2001 for timeline-based file organization (a patent suit against Apple was overturned in 2016).
In 2019, he co-founded Revolution Populi (rebranded R-Squared), a blockchain-powered social network and crypto clearing house, with mentions of Elon Musk as a "lifetime member" in its code. Recent work critiques AI: In a 2024 WSJ op-ed, he traced AI's 1950s roots and questioned its consciousness. He contributes to MIT Technology Review on AI limitations.
**News Clipping Example:** From a 2016 Ars Technica report on the Apple patent case: "Apple will pay $25M to patent troll to avoid East Texas trial," involving Gelernter's Mirror Worlds tech. *(Gelernter in his cluttered office, circa early 2000s, amid tech development.)*
## Ties to Jeffrey Epstein
Gelernter corresponded with Epstein from 2009 to 2015, post-Epstein's 2008 conviction for child prostitution. Introduced by agent John Brockman, discussions covered art (Epstein suggested eroticizing Hebrew letters for Gelernter's 2013 exhibit), business (pitching startups Lifestreams and Dittach), and personal topics like "French girls dressed & behaving like actual females." In 2011, Gelernter recommended a Yale undergraduate as a "v small goodlooking blonde." They met multiple times, including at Epstein's townhouse; Gelernter invited him to Yale.
In February 2026, Gelernter defended the emails to Yale's dean, stating he tailored descriptions to Epstein's "habits" and was "glad" to include aesthetics, as the student was "smart, charming & gorgeous." Yale disavowed knowledge; no evidence links Gelernter to Epstein's crimes. This fits Epstein's pattern of post-conviction academic engagements.
**News Clipping Example:** From a February 2026 Yale Daily News article: "Computer science professor David Gelernter exchanged emails with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2009 and 2015. In one message, Gelernter... describing her as a 'v small goodlooking blonde.'" Student protests disrupted his classes. *(Graphic from Chronicle of Higher Education on Epstein's academic ties, including quotes from emails.)*
## Connections to Peter Thiel
Gelernter and Thiel have a longstanding friendship. Thiel, a PayPal co-founder and Trump supporter, nominated Gelernter for Science Advisor during Trump's 2017 transition; Gelernter met Trump but didn't get the role. Thiel funded *Inference* journal ($1.7M+), where Gelernter serves on the editorial board; it has published climate skepticism and anti-evolution pieces. Thiel pitched Gelernter to Trump as a "martyr for technology" due to the Unabomber attack. They share anti-PC views; Thiel's biography *The Contrarian* details their alliance.
**News Clipping Example:** Politico, February 2017: "Gelernter had no connection to Trump... But Gelernter has long been friendly with Peter Thiel." Vanity Fair echoed: "Another Thiel ally, Yale computer scientist David Gelernter, also won an audience with the president." *(Gelernter in a tech panel discussion, representative of his Silicon Valley ties.)*
## Connections to Elon Musk
Gelernter's links to Musk are indirect but notable through shared networks. Musk co-founded PayPal with Thiel, and both are in Trump's orbit—Musk co-chairs a department in Trump's 2025 administration. Gelernter praised Musk in a 2022 WSJ op-ed: "Right now, Elon Musk has the ball. We're all waiting to see what happens next." In Revolution Populi's blockchain code, Musk is listed as a "lifetime member." Epstein files mention Musk downplaying ties, paralleling Gelernter's. Gelernter's AI critiques align with Musk's warnings, though no direct collaboration is documented.
**News Clipping Example:** From a 2026 Buckley Beacon article: "Throw in his Elon Musk–reminiscent pseudo-traditionalism—one email exalts 'French girls dressed & behaving like actual females.'" An X post lists Musk alongside Gelernter as high-IQ Trump supporters.
## Other Connections and Events
Gelernter was considered for Trump's science advisor in 2017, meeting Trump with Thiel and Bannon. He endorses conservative figures like Jordan Peterson and Thomas Sowell. In 2024, he reiterated anti-evolution views, five years after "Giving Up Darwin."
**News Clipping Example:** The Scientist, February 2017: "David Gelernter... met with then-President–elect Trump and key advisors... Who else was in the room? Peter Thiel, Steve Bannon." *(Recent portrait of Gelernter from Epstein-related coverage.)*
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