Keith Rabois reposted FCC impacts on foreign made drones

Keith Rabois reposted FCC impacts on foreign made drones

In the post, Keith Rabois highlights a significant regulatory action taken by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that impacts the sale of foreign-made drones in the United States. Rabois notes that this marks a historical precedent as it is the first instance where the FCC has imposed a class-based regulation that broadly targets an entire category of products rather than individual companies. This action stems from a national security determination and reflects rising tensions around foreign technology and its implications for domestic security. The FCC added foreign-produced Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and critical components to a 'Covered List,' which restricts their availability in the U.S. market, signifying a shift in regulatory practices aimed at safeguarding national interests.

Thoughts

Beliefs

Selected Thought:

The FCC's regulation on foreign-made drones is a necessary step for safeguarding national security.

Age Groups

Under 20
45%
25%
30%
Believe: 45Disbelieve: 25Unsure: 30
20-39
50%
30%
20%
Believe: 50Disbelieve: 30Unsure: 20
40-59
60%
20%
20%
Believe: 60Disbelieve: 20Unsure: 20
60+
70%
12%
18%
Believe: 70Disbelieve: 12Unsure: 18

Sex

Male
58%
22%
20%
Believe: 58Disbelieve: 22Unsure: 20
Female
52%
18%
30%
Believe: 52Disbelieve: 18Unsure: 30

Religion

Christian
58%
18%
24%
Believe: 58Disbelieve: 18Unsure: 24
Muslim
42%
32%
26%
Believe: 42Disbelieve: 32Unsure: 26
Hindu
48%
24%
28%
Believe: 48Disbelieve: 24Unsure: 28
Buddhist
44%
26%
30%
Believe: 44Disbelieve: 26Unsure: 30
Agnostic
45%
30%
25%
Believe: 45Disbelieve: 30Unsure: 25
Atheist
40%
35%
25%
Believe: 40Disbelieve: 35Unsure: 25
Other
46%
26%
28%
Believe: 46Disbelieve: 26Unsure: 28

Education

High School Graduate
52%
18%
30%
Believe: 52Disbelieve: 18Unsure: 30
Associates
50%
20%
30%
Believe: 50Disbelieve: 20Unsure: 30
Technical Degree
48%
24%
28%
Believe: 48Disbelieve: 24Unsure: 28
Bachelors
45%
28%
27%
Believe: 45Disbelieve: 28Unsure: 27
Masters
42%
32%
26%
Believe: 42Disbelieve: 32Unsure: 26
PhD
38%
36%
26%
Believe: 38Disbelieve: 36Unsure: 26

Political Leaning

Far Left
45%
30%
25%
Believe: 45Disbelieve: 30Unsure: 25
Slightly Left
50%
25%
25%
Believe: 50Disbelieve: 25Unsure: 25
Central
55%
20%
25%
Believe: 55Disbelieve: 20Unsure: 25
Slightly Right
70%
10%
20%
Believe: 70Disbelieve: 10Unsure: 20
Far Right
80%
12%
Believe: 80Disbelieve: 8Unsure: 12

Demographic Importance Ranking

How much each demographic category influences beliefs on this thought (0-100)

Political Leaning:
85
Education:
60
Sex:
55
Age Group:
35
Religion:
25

B.E.T.s

B.E.T. AI Assessments

Selected B.E.T. #1:

Thought 1: The FCC's regulation on foreign-made drones is necessary for national security
Thought 2: Class-based regulations by the FCC could adversely affect innovation and competition

Population Distribution Across Categories

Security-Conscious Pragmatist:
14%
14%
Security Maximalist:
18%
18%
Security-First Uncertain:
11%
11%
Free Market Skeptic:
8%
8%
Regulation Dismissive:
12%
12%
Security Skeptic Neutral:
9%
9%
Cautious Market Defender:
6%
6%
Doubly Skeptical:
7%
7%
Genuinely Undecided:
15%
15%

Estimated IQ by Category

Security-Conscious Pragmatist:
112
112
Security Maximalist:
102
102
Security-First Uncertain:
98
98
Free Market Skeptic:
115
115
Regulation Dismissive:
95
95
Security Skeptic Neutral:
101
101
Cautious Market Defender:
118
118
Doubly Skeptical:
114
114
Genuinely Undecided:
97
97

Category Details

Security-Conscious Pragmatist

Believe Thought 1, Believe Thought 2

Believes drone regulations protect national security while recognizing regulatory overreach can stifle markets. Often moderate policy wonks, defense-minded libertarians, or business professionals who support targeted security measures but worry about bureaucratic mission creep. They seek balanced approaches that address legitimate threats without creating barriers to entry.

Population: 14%
IQ Estimate: 112

Security Maximalist

Believe Thought 1, Disbelieve Thought 2

Strongly supports foreign drone bans and dismisses concerns about regulatory impact on innovation. Often older conservatives, defense hawks, or those with military/government backgrounds who prioritize national security above market considerations. They trust regulatory agencies to make appropriate distinctions.

Population: 18%
IQ Estimate: 102

Security-First Uncertain

Believe Thought 1, Unsure on Thought 2

Convinced of the national security threat from foreign drones but unsure about economic implications. Often politically engaged citizens who follow defense news but lack business or economics background. They defer to experts on market dynamics while holding firm security convictions.

Population: 11%
IQ Estimate: 98

Free Market Skeptic

Disbelieve Thought 1, Believe Thought 2

Views drone regulations as security theater while worrying about innovation barriers. Often libertarian-leaning tech workers, entrepreneurs, or economists who see the regulations as protectionism disguised as security. They're attuned to how regulations benefit incumbents over startups.

Population: 8%
IQ Estimate: 115

Regulation Dismissive

Disbelieve Thought 1, Disbelieve Thought 2

Rejects both the security rationale and innovation concerns. Often politically disengaged individuals or contrarians who distrust government narratives generally. May include some who simply haven't thought deeply about either issue or reflexively oppose mainstream positions.

Population: 12%
IQ Estimate: 95

Security Skeptic Neutral

Disbelieve Thought 1, Unsure on Thought 2

Doesn't buy the national security argument but remains uncommitted on innovation effects. Often younger, tech-savvy individuals who see foreign drone fears as overblown but haven't formed opinions on regulatory economics. May be casually libertarian without deep policy knowledge.

Population: 9%
IQ Estimate: 101

Cautious Market Defender

Unsure on Thought 1, Believe Thought 2

Uncertain about security claims but concerned about regulatory harm to competition. Often economists, startup founders, or innovation advocates who want more evidence on security threats while clearly seeing how class-based rules disadvantage smaller players.

Population: 6%
IQ Estimate: 118

Doubly Skeptical

Unsure on Thought 1, Disbelieve Thought 2

Questions both the security justification and the doom-saying about innovation impacts. Often highly educated centrists or policy analysts who demand rigorous evidence before accepting either narrative. They see nuance others miss and resist ideological framing.

Population: 7%
IQ Estimate: 114

Genuinely Undecided

Unsure on Thought 1, Unsure on Thought 2

Hasn't formed opinions on either question. Includes those unfamiliar with FCC drone policy, politically disengaged citizens, or careful thinkers who feel they lack sufficient information. May be younger, less news-engaged, or simply focused on other life priorities.

Population: 15%
IQ Estimate: 97

Belief Systems

Belief System #1 Structure

Legend:

Believe
Disbelieve
Unsure
Believe:The U.S. should impose restrictions on foreign drones to ensure national security.
Believe:Restricting foreign drones minimizes the risk of espionage and cyber threats to U.S. infrastructure.
Believe:Enhancing domestic manufacturing capacity for drones strengthens national defense and technological sovereignty.
Believe:National security concerns justify stringent regulations on foreign-made technology, outweighing economic competition issues.
Believe:Restrictions on foreign drones is in conflict with free market capitalism
Believe:National security is more important than free market principles

Belief System AI Assessments

Selected Belief System #1:

The U.S. should impose restrictions on foreign drones to ensure national security.

Persona Name

Colonel Reginald "Reg" Hawksworth III

Profile Description

A retired Air Force intelligence officer turned defense policy consultant, Colonel Hawksworth spent 28 years analyzing aerial reconnaissance systems before transitioning to the private sector. He now runs a small but influential think tank in Arlington, Virginia, where he spends his days writing white papers about supply chain vulnerabilities and attending congressional hearings. Reg genuinely wrestles with his libertarian economic instincts versus his deep-seated belief that America must maintain technological supremacy at all costs. He drives a Ford F-150 (American-made, naturally) with a 'Don't Tread On Me' bumper sticker right next to one supporting increased defense spending. His internal contradiction between free market principles and security-first nationalism keeps him up at night, though he's ultimately concluded that you can't have a free market if foreign adversaries have already compromised your infrastructure. Enjoys bourbon, Tom Clancy novels, and lecturing his nephew about the dangers of his DJI quadcopter.

Estimated IQ

112
112
70100130160

AI model's estimate of the average IQ for someone holding this belief system

Assessment Summary

AI Model: Claude Opus 4.5
Persona: Colonel Reginald "Reg" Hawksworth III
IQ Estimate: 112