NPR's Book of the Day 'The Philosopher in the Valley' paints an eccentric portrait of Palantir’s Alex Karp
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Jan 6, 2026 
Michael Steinberger, an insightful author and critic, dives into the eccentric life of Alex Karp, the CEO of Palantir. He discusses Karp's unique upbringing and his liberal arts background, shedding light on his role in data analysis for both business and national security. The conversation explores Karp’s relationship with Peter Thiel and the complex ethical dilemmas surrounding Palantir’s operations. Steinberger also reveals Karp's shifting political views post-October 7th and his intriguing lifestyle, marked by multiple residences and a solitary nature.
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Company At The Nexus Of Business And Surveillance
- Palantir sits at the center of both commercial efficiency and state surveillance, serving corporations and intelligence agencies alike.
- Michael Steinberger frames Alex Karp as the intellectual CEO who shaped a $400 billion company without a tech background.
Recruitment Rooted In A Law-School Bond
- Peter Thiel recruited Alex Karp after bonding with him at Stanford Law over shared dislike of law school and political debates.
- Thiel used Karp's left-leaning persona to reassure skeptics about Palantir's trustworthiness.
Contested Responsibility For How Tech Is Used
- Responsibility for Palantir's uses is contentious: Steinberger notes clients control application but that claim can absolve the company.
- Palantir's tech enables everything from benign enterprise gains to military targeting and immigration enforcement.
