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When trying to understand why Palantir CEO Alex Karp just bought 188km² of land in the north of Sweden, about 80% the size of Stockholm municipality, this cartoon provides an educated guess. It's not AI that keeps these people occupied, though, it's finding a place to endure the climate crisis.

Tom Gauld@tomgauld.bsky.social

My latest cartoon for @newscientist.com

30/9/26, 5:26 am15 reposts27 likes

Per Axbom

@axbom.com

"North" of Sweden may be up for debate though, depending on your perspective, as Härjedalen is almost in the vertical middle of Sweden. Here is a pin showing where Härjedalen is, the province that Alex Karp, just bought a significant chunk of.

pettter, stuff scientist

@pettter.bsky.social

I think most Swedes would consider Härjedalen part of the unspecified "North", since most Swedes by far live around Stockholm or further south and have at best a vague idea of parts north of Uppsala.

Per Axbom

@axbom.com

I definitely agree, but if you're not familiar with the geography of Sweden and population density, "the north of Sweden" will likely make you think much higher up 😅

Per Axbom

@axbom.com

The local newspaper in Härjedalen was first to report on this. Part of how it came to their attention is that local hunting teams were being denied permits for hunting. One hunter interviewed has been hunting on the land for 55 years. The deed specifies it will be used for forestry operations. 🤡

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