Peter Thiel's Contrarian Nature

Peter Thiel is characterized as a deeply contrarian figure, often opposing mainstream ideas and being perceived as a 'wizard' among his peers due to his intelligence and disdain for conventional societal norms. This aspect of his personality manifests in his early political views, particularly regarding the conservative stance that he adopts at Stanford, where he expresses anger towards his liberal classmates and the prevalent anti-apartheid sentiment. Thiel’s background and upbringing play a pivotal role in shaping this contrariness; he constantly desires to tread a different path from others, which creates a complex dichotomy between his academic achievements and his social interactions. His grappling with identity, including his sexuality, amplifies this tension, resulting in a persona that is intellectually driven yet socially isolated and contentious.