Thiel Talks 12th Annual Barbara K. Olson Memorial Lecture 11-16-12
Jun 26, 2021
Peter Thiel, a renowned technology entrepreneur and early Facebook investor, shares his insights at the Barbara K. Olson Memorial Lecture. He passionately argues against the prevalent narrative of societal decline, presenting a counter-argument about the progress of Western civilization. Thiel critiques the illusion of perpetual advancement, highlighting stagnation in sectors like healthcare. He examines the dangers of politicizing science and the diminishing role of government in innovation, warning that without significant technological breakthroughs, society faces stagnation.
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Exceptionalism Linked To Technological Progress
- Western civilization's exceptionality comes from two centuries of accelerating technological progress that created broad prosperity.
- If scientific and technological progress continues, claims of Western decline are premature.
Non-Computing Progress Has Stalled
- Progress outside computing has slowed: transport speeds peaked mid-20th century and reverted with regulation and security.
- Energy and commodity progress stalled after the 1973 oil shock and hasn't meaningfully recovered.
Signs Of Deceleration In Agriculture And Medicine
- Agricultural yields flattened over the last 25–30 years despite earlier Green Revolution gains.
- Drug approvals and some medical outputs show deceleration even as life expectancy rose steadily.
