By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Peter Thiel, a prominent figure in Silicon Valley, believes Western civilization has been in a state of stagnation since the 1970s, blaming it on the counterculture and the rise of the environmental movement. Thiel’s views, influenced by his analysis, have resonated with his peers, leading many to distance themselves from mainstream Democrats. His analysis of stagnation as requiring a radical right-wing political turn has had a profound influence on his peers in Silicon Valley. Thiel views figures like Greta Thunberg as the Antichrist, reflecting his belief in a literal interpretation of biblical dangers.
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The notion that billionaires are abandoning humanity, that they no longer feel they belong, seems to be gaining traction, doesn’t it? It’s a chilling concept, born from a place of intense wealth and a growing disconnect from the everyday realities of the vast majority of us. Peter Thiel, a name often associated with this viewpoint, and his associates, appear to be prime examples. It’s as if the chasm of wealth has created an entirely separate reality, a gilded cage where the values and concerns of the wider world become distant, almost irrelevant.
This isn’t necessarily about good versus evil, or even a conscious effort to be “corrupt.” It’s a consequence, a natural evolution of a mindset warped by extreme wealth. The price of a banana, the cost of living, the everyday struggles that define human existence – these lose their meaning when you’re insulated by unimaginable privilege. It’s a kind of cognitive distortion, a detachment from the shared human experience that breeds an alien perspective. The saying, “It’s a banana, Michael, how much could it cost, $10?” encapsulates this perfectly.
The core issue here isn’t just the wealth itself, but the way it shapes the perception of self. The belief, whether conscious or not, that one is somehow superior, a different breed altogether, is a dangerous one. This perceived superiority often breeds a lack of empathy, an inability to connect with the struggles and concerns of others. The claim that these individuals are mentally handicapped in terms of emotional intelligence rings true. In this context, they may well be.
Looking at the behaviors, the statements, the projects undertaken by some of these figures, it’s difficult to deny the impression of a growing detachment. The pursuit of transhumanism, the fascination with longevity, the focus on creating bunkers and self-sufficient communities – all these seem to suggest a lack of faith in humanity, a desire to escape the consequences of societal problems and the shared future. This drive towards isolation is the crux of the problem. The construction of exclusive island retreats, free from taxes and extradition, serves as the ultimate symbol of this abandonment of responsibility.
It’s as if they’ve internalized the “Dragon Sickness” – a sense of being set apart, of viewing themselves as something other than human. This separation may be fueled by a misguided sense of entitlement, a belief in their own exceptionalism. It’s a form of self-deception, where they rewrite their own history to justify their elevated status. In the face of extreme wealth, their actions resemble that of a parasite, sucking the lifeblood from the working class.
This mindset extends beyond individual actions; it informs broader strategic decisions. The investment in AI, the construction of vast data centers, all can be seen as tools to control and, potentially, replace troublesome humans. The goal isn’t to improve humanity, but to manage it, to reshape it according to their own vision, even if that vision involves displacing the masses. If empathy is viewed as a weakness, if the core tenets of shared existence are ignored, what’s left?
The most important point to consider is the fundamental truth: Billionaires do not, and cannot, exist without the rest of us. Their wealth is built upon the labor, the innovation, and the sacrifices of the many. They depend on the systems and structures of society, while simultaneously attempting to distance themselves from the responsibilities and consequences of those systems. Thiel’s focus on societal stagnation appears to stem from a desire to alter the world to their advantage.
Ultimately, the increasing detachment of these individuals is a symptom of a larger problem: the growing inequality and the erosion of shared values. The constant pursuit of “line goes up” profit has overshadowed any notion of shared responsibility. The question becomes: how do we ensure that those who benefit most from society also contribute to it? Because the actions of Peter Thiel and others like him are not merely eccentricities. They represent a fundamental challenge to the very fabric of our shared human experience, a threat to the future of humanity.