Peter Thiel's Controversial Views on Society and Technology

Peter Thiel recently gave a series of lectures in San Francisco, where he articulated an apocalyptic worldview that has raised eyebrows and sparked controversy. These lectures, described as rambling, have been the culmination of two years of Thiel traveling to Catholic universities and international conferences, discussing themes of the Antichrist and global order.

Thiel's rhetoric has been linked to a broader trend of Christian apocalypticism converging with the tech sector's economic dominance and U.S. imperialism. Critics have characterized Thiel's views as a form of 'apocalyptic geopolitics,' simplifying global politics into a dichotomy of good versus evil.

This perspective allows him to project social contradictions onto an externalized evil, justifying extreme actions against his opponents while avoiding genuine political discourse. Thiel's connections to the reactionary right are well-documented.

He has established hyperlibertarian initiatives such as the Seasteading Institute and funded the far-right National Conservative movement. Thiel's financial support has extended to Donald Trump's 2016 campaign and J.D.

Vance's successful Senate run in Ohio, emphasizing his influence over U.S. politics. His company, Palantir, is at the center of emerging technologies within the military-industrial complex, particularly in AI and data analytics.

Palantir secured a $330 million data contract with Britain's National Health Service in 2023, which Thiel described as a natural target for privatization. The company is also involved in military partnerships aimed at enhancing decision-making and targeting capabilities, including a $1.5 billion collaboration with the British military.

Thiel's views on the Antichrist are closely tied to his business interests, merging digital military technology with Christian eschatology. Reports indicate that Palantir's software has been used in military operations in Ukraine and Gaza, where it has facilitated targeted violence, raising ethical concerns about its role in state violence.

The Israeli military has reportedly utilized Palantir's systems to identify targets for aerial bombings, leading to accusations of complicity in humanitarian crises. Additionally, Palantir's technology underpins Immigration and Customs Enforcement's operations, contributing to widespread racial profiling and illegal deportations.

Thiel's apocalyptic geopolitics, therefore, reflect a troubling intertwining of technological advancement and militarized state power, where market-driven motives overshadow humanitarian considerations.