Quote of the day by PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel: 'I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible' a foundational thesis of the new tech elite

Date:
Sat, 27 Jun 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Technology has marched forward over the last couple of decades at the same time as basic freedoms and rights have been eroded: Peter Thiel is among the most prominent figures in the technology industry, having co-founded PayPal in the 90s and Palantir a few years later. Although he's since stepped back from running technology companies, he plays an active role in business, finance and indeed in politics. "I remain committed to authentic human freedom as a precondition for the highest good. But I must confess that over the last two decades, I have changed radically on the question of how to achieve these goals. Most importantly, I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible." -- Peter Thiel, April 2009

Minimum government, maximum freedom

Writing an essay for the Cato Unbound journal nearly 20 years ago, Thiel outlined his political thinking as one that prioritizes the individual and individual freedoms above the needs or demands of the majority.
In this essay, he explained how he was disillusioned with democratic politics and that it had become an antagonist to "freedom" in the form of free markets and, specifically, the new generation of tech moguls who were in the process of expansion.

The piece, which ran in excess of 2,000 words, courted plenty of attention,
as well as controversy, especially given its timing with society still reeling from the 2008 banking crisis, and concerns over the widening wealth divide heightening. Democracy dies in darkness Many incidents and actions in the technology world can be traced back to the ideas at the heart of this essay, for example, the breakdown of press freedoms, specifically in the big tech takeover of the creative industries and journalism (see the Washington Post example).

Modern tech companies are also increasingly involved in politics, with Elon Musk, for example, increasingly (whether deliberately or inadvertently) using Starlink to wield influence during geopolitical conflicts .

Despite Thiel's proclamation to transcend democratic politics via media such as cyberspace or cryptocurrencies, many tech moguls including the Palantir co-founder have also made concerted efforts to involve themselves in this process. Musk's direct involvement in the second Trump administration is the most prominent example, but Thiel himself has handpicked candidates to stand in elections, including JD Vance .

Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/quote-of-the-day-by-paypal-co-founder-peter-thie l-i-no-longer-believe-that-freedom-and-democracy-are-compatible-a-foundational -thesis-of-the-new-tech-elite

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On Wed 1-Jul-2026 9:29a, Mike Powell@1:2320/105.0 said to Rug Rat:

Rug Rat wrote to All <=-

"Your rights end where mine behin." You have NO rights to privacy in public. This has been established by the supreme court over and over and over again. Photography is a 1st amemendment protected activity under freedom of speech and expression.. In other words.. You're rights don't begin so mine don't stop. This is NOT something I am going to argue with you or anyone.

So are one of those types that doesn't respect others and
likes taking photos of people without permission. Do you ask if it is ok to use them after you take them, or do you just go back home and have a wank?

Here's hoping one day you take one of someone who doesn't appreciate it
and
who shoves that camera right down your throat.

Creep.

So, after correctly laying out the legality and constitual protection of street/candid photography and there being no expectation of privacy you want to resort to name calling?

You can resort to that because you have precisely nothing left to argue about. This has been the law of the land since the constituion was laid down in 1787 and ratified in 1791.

You can sit there and pound your keyboard in anger as much as you what. It does not change the fact that time after time the Supreme Court has upheld that the freedom of speech and expression is protected. Both States and Federal agencies have tried to pass and enforce laws infringing on those rights, and except in very NARROW cases have they been successful.

The subjectively of being someones feelings as the outcome of someone excercising their civil rights do not stand up when the accused has pushed it far enough.

You chose to put yourself in public. If someone with a camera scares of offends you. Stay home.

Addressing your other issue of do street photographers or I ask permission if they are published? NO, we don't have have to. The only very narrow restrictions on the necessity of obtaining a release is if a persons likeness is being used to DIRECTLY promote a brand or product.

When a photo release would be necessary:
Using your likeness to advertise/promote a brand.
Using your likeness to advertise/promote a product.

When is a photo release not required:
Publishing a photo on a site that generates revenue for access.
Publishing a photo in a book (With the exception of the photo being used to actually market the book).
Selling the photo to a commercial entity or private buyer (The photo is my intellectual property to sell).

There is nothing left to argue, this is not only law, but as mentioned time and time again a CIVIL RIGHT, where neither you nor anyone else has a right to establish nor expect privacy. Feelings are subjective and not rights.

You can call me names if you would like, though at the end of the day I hold the legal high ground.

Your little performance of trying to get the moral high ground is on par with me telling you, your apparence, manner, display of religion, poltical offiliation, or having a shifty manner about you offends me. You would tell me to pound sand and rightly so.

Enjoy.

Rug Rat (Brent Hendricks)
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