>"This perhaps is not so true of the founders [of Silicon Valley], but certainly for many of the rank and file people," he said. "If you're a really good engineer or really good at some specific thing, your education typically does not involve you thinking that much about politics, so [being liberal] is not necessarily from deep ideological conviction, it's often more of a fashion statement than a question of power."
Peter Thiel thinks that only CEOs are capable of holding authentic political views. Everyone should find this offensive.
The questions is also, why should anyone listen to what Peter Thiel thinks? Because he made money with Paypal and is now a VC? As if that somehow means he is more qualified than your post man in terms of political views.
If people get really brainwashed by having higher education or spending more time in college maybe there is something wrong with the education system, but maybe (just maybe) being brainwashed is just a try to smear everyone with a different opinion.
Maybe the brainwashing that is doing the most damage, is the ideation around, and elevation of, idols and figureheads. We can't seem to do anything in society unless an authority tells us its okay - or worse, not okay - to do it. This is both a blessing and a curse - sometimes we need figures to rally around. Other times, not so much.
So mostly I think the most damaging brainwashing going on is that of cult figureheads being elevated beyond their station. We see this everywhere - not just Silicon Valley. Literally, everywhere.
A large part of the HN audience seems to struggle to read straightforward assertions without freaking them in some polarizing all-out us-vs-them war.
"If you're a specialist, your education typically did not involve you thinking that much about politics" != Only CEOs are capable of holding authentic political views
Reminds me of the reaction to his 2009 essay
"welfare beneficiaries and women — two constituencies that are notoriously tough for libertarians" != women should not have the right to vote
I can assure you, I have no problem reading straightforward assertions. I am a mathematician. The thing is: language and humans are rarely straightforward. Pretending otherwise is dangerous.
Peter Thiel thinks that only CEOs are capable of holding authentic political views. Everyone should find this offensive.