“They are not all accounted for, the lost seeing stones. We do not know who else may be watching.”
—Gandalf to Saruman, in The Fellowship of the Ring
For other uses of Palantíri see also: Palantír (disambiguation)
Palantíri (or singular Palantír) also known as Seeing-stones, the Seven Stones, and the Seven Seeing-stones were spherical stone objects used for the purpose of communication in Middle-earth and beyond.
The Silmarils were three jewels made by the Elvish craftsman Feanor. The jewels were so enchanting that the god Melkor stolen them and took them from the Blessed Realm and fled to Middle Earth where he became known as Morgoth. The Elves followed in hot pursuit, murdering their kinsmen at one point in the headlong rush to retrive the beautiful objects.
Feanor also constructed the seven Palantir.
The Rings of Power were created by Sauron and by Elvish craftsmen. They also ended up providing a corrupting influence.
It's the Tower of Babel retold in several ways. Men want to be as gods -- in the government's quest to be omniscient, it has created a great evil.
Soros is likely one. Who are the other six?