Peter Thiel (PayPal/Palantir Co-founder) – The Diversity Myth, Corrupt Institutions, Woke Capital, and the Loss of Religion (Nov 2023)


Chapters

00:00:00 The Diversity Myth and America's Transformation
00:02:10 Culture Wars and Intellectual Diversity: Examining the Impact of Wokeness and Diversity
00:09:25 Diversions from Scientific Progress
00:19:16 The Evolution of College Education and Its Impact on Innovation
00:22:33 Science and Technology in America: A Historical Perspective
00:26:15 Changing Views on College and the Elite Education System
00:29:31 Corporations and Economic Distortions
00:32:49 Urban Slumlords and the Deepening Economic Divide
00:37:10 The Changing Tech Landscape and Its Impact on the Workforce
00:40:04 The Intersection of Religion, Science, and Technology in Modern Society
00:50:06 Universe vs. Multiverse: A Philosophical Shift
00:54:48 distracted the West from geopolitics
01:00:44 Changing US-China Relations After the Fall of the Berlin Wall
01:03:15 Shifting Winds in Tech Innovation and Geopolitics

Abstract

The Distracting Pursuit of Diversity: Unraveling Peter Thiel’s Vision of Society’s Misdirection – Updated Article

In the kaleidoscope of contemporary socio-political narratives, Peter Thiel’s prescient insights in “The Diversity Myth” emerge as a focal point of discourse. This article delves into Thiel’s critique of society’s preoccupation with diversity, identity politics, and the ideological shift in education, technology, and geopolitics. Thiel’s analysis, predicting the rise of ‘Wokeness’ and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) movements, underscores the diversion from crucial areas such as technological stagnation, economic inequality, the erosion of traditional education values, and the geopolitical dynamics involving the US and China. The decline in religion, in particular, and the rise of the woke religion seem to be intricately linked to this diversion, with the woke religion filling the void left by the decline of institutional Christianity. By weaving these strands together, we unravel the implications of Thiel’s thought on contemporary society, examining the intersection of diversity, economic stagnation, and the emerging geopolitical landscape.

The Prophetic Insight of “The Diversity Myth”:

Peter Thiel’s “The Diversity Myth,” written in the early 1990s, anticipated the rise of ‘Wokeness’ and DEI, spotlighting the diversion from substantive issues like technology, religion, and politics. Mike Solana’s recent interview with Thiel sheds light on the author’s current perspective on the book. Thiel initially showed disinterest in discussing it, leading Solana to feel silly for bringing it up. Thiel seemed to have moved on from the topic, as if his predictions had not materialized. However, Solana notes signs of the resurgence of wokeness and DEI around 2012, aligning with his time at Founders Fund. By 2015, these concepts had taken over institutions across the country. “The Diversity Myth” stands as a unique book that accurately predicted the developments of the past 10 years in America. Thiel argues for redirecting the brightest minds towards constructive endeavors, rather than the destructive paths he sees in current trends. The book, focusing on Stanford University’s campus culture wars, extrapolates these academic debates to broader societal impacts. Thiel’s mixed feelings about its relevance today point to a deeper questioning of diversity’s role in overshadowing more pressing issues.

Thiel’s observations are particularly relevant when considering the decline of religion in America and the concurrent rise of the woke religion. The woke religion shares similarities with Christianity, such as a focus on victims and social justice. However, it lacks Christianity’s emphasis on forgiveness and has a stronger sense of who the victims are. This lack of forgiveness can lead to more violence, contributing to the rotten fruits of the decline in religion, such as the rise in mental health problems, addiction, and suicide.

Collegiate Shifts and Technological Stagnation:

The changing role of colleges, particularly in technological fields, accentuates Thiel’s arguments. The 1980s saw colleges as effective springboards into professional sectors like consulting and banking. However, their relevance, especially in science and engineering, has diminished, barring exceptions like computer science. College education in science and technology has seen a decline due to various factors, including an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives over scientific advancement. Thiel’s controversial proposal in 2010, encouraging students to drop out, gained traction against the backdrop of soaring college debt and a perceived decline in the value of traditional college education. Thiel’s 20 Under 20 program aimed to encourage and support young individuals with a passion for science and technology, recognizing the need to foster a new generation of innovators. Reflecting on his involvement in campus culture wars during the late 1980s and early 1990s, Thiel notes the contrast between the apolitical and optimistic vibe of the internet in the late 1990s and the angry and pessimistic atmosphere of Silicon Valley in recent years. He explains that “The Diversity Myth,” co-authored with David Sachs, was an attempt to make a broader argument about the consequences of ideas originating in elite colleges.

Tech Industry and Political Polarization:

The tech industry, once a beacon of innovation, is now marred by employee discontent and political polarization. The sector’s politicization, coinciding with the Trump era, reflects a broader societal shift. Google’s faltering ‘moonshot’ programs symbolize this decline, contributing to workforce activism and a growing disillusionment. Thiel argues that this polarization of the tech industry is a structural problem rather than solely related to the Trump phenomenon. Employees, particularly in Google, felt like cogs in a vast machine, despite the overall success of tech companies. The loss of appeal of Google’s moonshot science programs, once highly charismatic, further contributed to a sense of dissatisfaction. Thiel also highlights issues such as unaffordable housing in Silicon Valley as contributing factors to the rise of political activism in the tech industry.

Economic Analysis and the Role of Real Estate:

Thiel’s endorsement of Georgist economic analysis points to real estate distortions as a root cause of economic injustice. He links the skyrocketing rents in urban areas to a combination of ideological distractions and landlord interests, suggesting that identity politics manipulates public acceptance of high rents and poor living conditions. Thiel argues that the high rents in urban areas, driven by real estate distortions, have contributed to social unrest and political instability. He points to San Francisco and Manhattan as examples of cities where real estate distortions have led to skyrocketing housing costs, displacing residents and exacerbating social tensions.

Woke Corporations and ESG Distractions:

The rise of ‘woke’ corporations and the emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria represent, in Thiel’s view, a diversion from genuine economic concerns. He critiques Walmart’s shift to environmentalism as a strategic move to deflect attention from wage issues, and suggests a similar pattern in other corporate contexts. Thiel suggests that the woke corporate trend is a combination of a calculated strategy and a genuine ideological belief. He posits that such initiatives may serve as a strategy to divide workers based on gender and race, thereby preventing them from uniting for better wages and working conditions. Thiel points out that the main beneficiaries of high urban rents are landlords and older homeowners who have seen their property values increase. He emphasizes the correlation between rising rents and the prevalence of identity politics, raising questions about the causal relationship between these factors.

The Spiritual Void and the Rise of Wokeness:

Thiel draws a parallel between wokeness and Christianity, noting their shared focus on victimhood and social justice but highlighting the absence of forgiveness in the former. He sees wokeness filling the spiritual void left by the decline of institutional Christianity, with implications for the pursuit of truth and meaning.

Geopolitical Diversion and China’s Ascent:

Thiel posits that social distractions like DEI may be playing into China’s hands by diverting American attention from the growing geopolitical rivalry. He emphasizes the totalitarian nature of China’s regime and criticizes the unhealthy dependencies created by current forms of globalization. This perspective is set against the historical context of the Cold War and the US-China alliance against the USSR.

China, the Cold War, and the Berlin Wall:

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Russia was no longer perceived as a serious threat, leading to a decline in focus on geopolitics. China’s rise as a potential adversary has not garnered the same level of concern.

In the 1970s and 1980s, anti-communists like Nixon and Reagan adopted a strategy of allying with China to counterbalance the Soviet Union. This realpolitik approach led to the opening of relations with China in 1972 and continued under the Reagan administration.

Despite the Chinese government’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square in 1989, the Bush administration maintained its focus on China’s anti-Soviet stance. The Berlin Wall fell six months later, potentially influencing the West’s reaction to the massacre.

In the West, the fall of the Berlin Wall was seen as a sign that communist systems would eventually collapse under their weight. In China, it was interpreted as a lesson to avoid the mistakes made by the Soviet Union, particularly in terms of political openness.

China adopted a strategy of economic restructuring (perestroika) without political opening (glasnost), aiming to avoid the fate of the Soviet Union. This approach has contributed to China’s continued economic growth and global influence.

Concluding Thoughts:

In conclusion, Thiel’s insights paint a picture of a society distracted from its core challenges. The pursuit of diversity, wokeness, and politically charged corporate strategies, according to Thiel, have led to a neglect of technological innovation, economic equality, and geopolitical vigilance. This diversion has profound implications, potentially hindering societal progress and leaving crucial issues like the US-China rivalry and economic stagnation unaddressed. Thiel’s critique invites a reevaluation of societal priorities, urging a return to the pursuit of substantive progress over ideological preoccupations.


Notes by: Alkaid