Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Not just that, but Andersen and Thiel (especially Thiel) aren’t just amoral greedy men, but rather explicitly pro-authoritarians.

Silicon Valley has a fascism problem.




> Silicon Valley has a fascism problem.

I can imagine that if you see authoritarianism through the lens of the "constrained versus unconstrained" views of human nature a la Sowell, then it makes sense that Silicon Valley, ever so optimistic about the perfectibility of mankind, would tend towards that direction.


>Silicon Valley, ever so optimistic about the perfectibility of mankind

Is this sarcasm?

Coz from what I can see Silicon Valley is primarily concerned with (in order of importance) 1. $$$, 2. $$$$ and 3. $$$$$


Right, but in order to make that increasing profit year after year you need to pose that there is some vast frontier of unaccomplished innovation. There needs to be justification on some level for ever new iPhones and such.


Or, a frontier of yet unaccomplished exploitation.


I’m assuming you meant Andreesen but I could be wrong, I just don’t know a famous VC Anderson though I’m sure there is at least one.

I’ve listened to both Andreesen and Thiel and they both seem pretty anti-authoritarian, but perhaps they just espouse one ideology and practice another?


> ... both Andreesen and Thiel and they both seem pretty anti-authoritarian ...

Yet Thiel runs Palantir, which is arguably any authoritarian wet dream.


For Thiel: https://time.com/6092844/peter-thiel-power-biography-the-con...

Of course he doesn’t go around openly saying he’s pro fascism. Having listened to many of his speeches it’s not surprising he is though.

For Andreesen it’s not as clear there’s a direct link but after having listened to his Lex Friedman episode, I came of thinking he also thinks democracy won’t work.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: