Max Chafkin, a Bloomberg reporter and author of "The Contrarian," explores the significant influence of billionaire Peter Thiel on the New Right. He discusses Thiel's unique persona, from his controversial beliefs to his entrepreneurial journey, revealing how his background shaped his worldview. The conversation also highlights the ambitious goals of global initiatives linked to Thiel and critiques the intertwining of wealth and political power within the movement, raising questions on the impact on democracy.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Thiel's Stanford Experience
Peter Thiel, a conservative immigrant, felt like an outsider at Stanford.
He challenged the liberal campus by founding the provocative, conservative Stanford Review newspaper.
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Thiel's Career Shift
Thiel initially pursued law, clerked for a judge, and worked at a law firm.
He transitioned to Silicon Valley during the tech boom, despite lacking a tech background, and authored "The Diversity Myth."
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Thiel's Political Journey
Peter Thiel's political involvement increased with Ron Paul's candidacy, creating a dedicated fanbase.
He later supported Carly Fiorina and then Trump, aligning with Trump's stance on immigration and "political incorrectness."
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In 'The Contrarian,' Max Chafkin provides a meticulous biography of Peter Thiel, one of Silicon Valley's most influential and controversial figures. The book explores Thiel's singular life and worldview, from his conservative roots at Stanford to his founding of PayPal and Palantir, and his early investments in Facebook and SpaceX. Chafkin also delves into Thiel's political activities, including his support for Donald Trump and his role in the lawsuit that destroyed the blog Gawker. The biography is both a portrait of Thiel and an examination of the broader tech industry, highlighting its explosive growth, power, and the controversies surrounding it.
Hillbilly Elegy
A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
JD Vance
In 'Hillbilly Elegy,' J.D. Vance recounts his life growing up in a dysfunctional family in Middletown, Ohio, with roots in Kentucky's Appalachia. The book details his experiences with poverty, addiction, and family violence, as well as his journey to joining the marines and eventually graduating from Yale Law School. Vance provides a personal and insightful look into the decline of the white working class in America, exploring themes of family, culture, and the loss of the American dream. The memoir also touches on the political swing of the region, particularly in relation to the 2016 presidential election and the appeal of Donald Trump to this demographic.
The diversity myth
Multiculturalism and Political Intolerance on Campus
Peter Thiel
David O. Sacks
This book provides a detailed analysis of the multicultural experiment at Stanford University in the 1980s. It explores how multiculturalism transformed the curriculum, extracurricular activities, and overall campus life, leading to what the authors argue is a stifling of intellectual freedom and a decline in academic standards. The authors use primary sources to reveal the politicization of classes, housing, and other university programs, and they argue that multiculturalism has resulted in a culture of victimization and anti-Western zealotry. The book is divided into two parts, one focusing on the new academic environment and the other on the broader social, political, and cultural implications of multiculturalism.
Zero to One
Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
Peter Thiel
In 'Zero to One,' Peter Thiel argues that true innovation comes from creating something entirely new, going from 'zero to one,' rather than incrementally improving existing ideas. He emphasizes the importance of vertical progress through technology and the benefits of monopoly in driving innovation. Thiel also discusses the need for long-term planning, the importance of finding the right co-founders, and the power law in startup success. The book challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to think critically and aim big to build the future[2][3][5].
From politicians to podcasters, one man’s money unites the New Right. Bloomberg’s Max Chafkin explains how Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel is shaping the fledgling conservative movement in his own image.
This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Mounsey and Efim Shapiro, and hosted by Noel King.
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