363: Lucky Thumb Drive

this week Stacey tells us about the death of Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old OpenAI whistleblower found dead by suicide in his San Francisco apartment in November 2024 after publicly condemning the company’s data practices, a ruling contested by his family who remain convinced foul play was involved.

Sources:

https://suchir.net/fair_use.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suchir_Balaji

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/suchir-balajis-mother-new-charge-as-sam-altman-calls-openai-whistleblowers-death-suicide-9278849

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/openai-whistleblower-autopsy-report-released-20168839.php

https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-whistleblower-suchir-balaji-autopsy-suicide-registered-gun-2025-2

https://sfstandard.com/2025/09/30/suchir-balaji-openai-whistleblower-parents-lawsuit

https://blackheritageradio.com/whistleblower-suchir-balaji-parents-claim-new-toxicology-report-proof-was-shot-dead/

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/openai-whistleblower-suchir-balajis-parents-claim-he-was-shot-twice-in-the-head-first-autopsy-missed-second-wound/articleshow/120100833.cms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSUntLOBfyY&t=1526s