The Future of Liberty Joe Lonsdale on the Rebirth of Liberty and Cultivating a Successful Future
Aug 16, 2024
Joe Lonsdale, founder and managing partner of 8VC, dives into the intersection of technology and liberty, stressing the need for reform in public education to foster critical thinking. He shares insights on launching defense companies amidst government competition and discusses the ethical dilemmas of TikTok as a social media tool for division. Lonsdale also highlights the establishment of the University of Austin, advocating for a balanced educational approach, and draws lessons from historical leaders like Cyrus the Great to inspire future leadership rooted in virtue.
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Roots of Liberty Commitment
- Joe Lonsdale credits his early commitment to liberty to his family's influence and reading Austrian economists and the American founding.
- He values the unique progress in the last 250 years driven by Enlightenment principles like life, liberty, and property.
Silicon Valley's Cultural Roots
- Silicon Valley culture clones the left-leaning university environment because many tech hires come from those institutions.
- The regulatory state has recently begun targeting startups, leading to new activism among entrepreneurs to defend liberty.
Decline of California K-12 Schools
- California's K-12 public education has grown increasingly ideological and woke over time, undermining advanced subjects.
- Teachers and administrators must now pass through increasingly politicized credentialing which worsens the curriculum and culture.