Peter Thiel, billionaire and co-founder of PayPal, has long been a significant figure in Silicon Valley. Known for his right-wing libertarian views, Thiel’s influence extends beyond the tech industry into American politics. His financial backing of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and involvement in the secretive data firm, Palantir, underscore his sway in political circles.
Thiel’s libertarian ideology aligns with Silicon Valley’s ethos of disruption and innovation, often at the expense of government regulation. His support for seasteading and the creation of autonomous, floating cities exemplifies this. Thiel also promotes the idea of a ‘digital utopia’, where technology liberates individuals from state control.
Despite his libertarian stance, Thiel’s relationship with the military-industrial complex is complex and contradictory. Palantir, a company he co-founded, provides data analysis tools to military and intelligence agencies. Thiel has been criticised for this apparent hypocrisy, as his business interests seem to conflict with his libertarian values.
Thiel’s influence in Silicon Valley and American politics raises questions about the power of tech billionaires and the potential for their ideologies to shape society. His controversial views and actions continue to spark debate about the role of technology and the ethics of its development and use.
Go to source article: https://jacobinmag.com/2021/10/peter-thiel-silicon-valley-tech-right-wing-libertarian-military/