The Intellectual Dark Web (IDW) is a loose affiliation of commentators who oppose what they perceive as "left-wing identity politics" and "political correctness." [1] The movement has served as a gateway to anti-trans content and far-right radicalization.
The term was coined by Eric Weinstein, managing director of Thiel Capital, on a 2017 podcast. [1:1]
Bari Weiss published "Meet the Renegades of the Intellectual Dark Web" in the New York Times (May 2018). [1:2]
Media scholar John Postill calls this essay a "defining media event" that gave the anti-woke movement an identity and cast of characters. [1:3]
The IDW has documented connections to Jeffrey Epstein through Peter Thiel: [2]
Epstein → $40M → Thiel → Thiel Capital → Eric Weinstein → IDW
According to Weiss's 2018 article, IDW members include: [1:4]
A 2019 study by Ribeiro et al. examining YouTube user comments described the IDW as a "gateway to the far right." [1:5]
IDW beliefs overlap with the alt-right while avoiding explicit white supremacy. [1:6] Similarities include debates over:
IDW commentators tend to dismiss transgender rights as concerns of leftist "social justice warriors." [1:7]
IDW figures have consistently opposed trans rights:
The IDW created infrastructure for anti-trans content: