Peter Thiel, the entrepreneur behind PayPal, joins Bari Weiss to delve into the complexities of media independence. They challenge the Free Press's claims of impartiality against a backdrop of substantial funding from right-leaning individuals. The conversation navigates the ethics of financial influence on journalism, Thiel's perspective on political dynamics during the 2020 Democratic primaries, and the tension between healthy skepticism and conspiracy theories. They also discuss the need for scientific literacy amidst rising dogmatism in modern science.
The podcast critiques the supposed independence of The Free Press, highlighting its significant funding from far-right billionaires undermining impartial journalism.
Peter Thiel's arguments reflect a broader narrative that promotes skepticism towards established science, which can fuel dangerous misinformation and public distrust.
Deep dives
The Concept of Free Press vs. Corporate Influence
The episode critiques the notion of a truly independent and nonpartisan free press, arguing that the very idea is undermined by corporate and political affiliations. The Free Press, which claims to provide an antidote to traditional media biases, is heavily funded by billionaires linked to far-right ideologies and candidates, raising suspicions about its independence. This funding structure leads to the conclusion that the organization cannot claim neutrality while being backed by individuals with vested interests in promoting specific political narratives. The discussion highlights how media organizations often operate within the influence of their financial backers, complicating the public's trust in supposed impartial reporting.
Peter Thiel's Political Influence and Background
Peter Thiel is portrayed as a significant figure in today's political landscape, with a background that includes founding PayPal and investing in various technology ventures. His ties to conservative movements and candidates, and his controversial positions, including funding legal battles against media outlets, paint a picture of a man deeply engaged in shaping media narratives. Thiel’s criticism of mainstream journalism is often rooted in personal grievances stemming from his conflicts with media coverage of his private life. This context provides insight into his motivations and reveals how personal experiences can influence broader media criticism.
The Shift from Liberalism to Conservatism
The discussion raises the argument that prominent figures who once identified as liberals, like Thiel and Elon Musk, may have shifted towards conservative ideologies due to perceived authoritarianism within left-leaning circles. Thiel suggests that a new 'intellectual straitjacket' on the left forces individuals to conform strictly to specific viewpoints, discouraging nuanced discussions. This argument is critiqued as oversimplifying a complex cultural shift, where individuals feel marginalized for their beliefs. Such framing overlooks the multiplicity of ideas and dialogue that occur within left-oriented communities, which are often more diverse than Thiel suggests.
Skepticism and the Scientific Process
Thiel critiques the scientific community for being overly dogmatic, suggesting that this rigidity stifles open inquiry and skepticism, which he believes should be hallmarks of scientific discourse. His views reflect a broader right-wing narrative that positions skepticism of established science as rational, thereby downplaying established findings regarding public health issues like vaccines and climate change. This perspective can lead to dangerous misinformation, as it conflates legitimate scientific skepticism with conspiracy theories. Ultimately, this approach undermines public trust in science by framing it as authoritarian, ignoring the vital role that peer review and evidence play in advancing knowledge.
The Free Press founder, Bari Weiss, recently hosted Peter Thiel on her podcast. While The FP markets itself as as a return to independent and non-partisan real journalism, Julian and Derek point out that's not the case at all—especially when the organization's $15M in funding comes from rightwing and libertarian VCs. Will Weiss factcheck Thiel's misinformation in real-time, as a "non-partisan" outlet should?