Asking AI services: Does Peter Thiel want to build Elysium on Greenland?
Grok: His financial support for projects like Praxis (...) aligns with the metaphorical idea of creating an advanced, possibly exclusive, society akin to the movie's depiction.
Asking AI services: Does Peter Thiel want to build Elysium on Greenland?
Grok’s answer:
Peter Thiel's interest in Greenland has been associated with the concept of building a futuristic or utopian city, often likened to the "Elysium" from the science fiction movie of the same name, where wealthy elites live in a space station separated from the rest of humanity. Here are some insights based on available information:
Praxis and Greenland Ambitions: Thiel has been linked to a startup called Praxis, which aims to create a "network state" or a new form of governance using blockchain technology. The idea of building a city in Greenland aligns with this vision, especially as articulated by Praxis co-founder Dryden Brown, who has expressed interest in using Greenland as a place to build a prototype of what living on Mars might look like. This includes concepts like terraforming, advanced mining, and creating a community based on technological experimentation. However, Thiel's direct involvement is more through financial backing rather than explicit public statements about building "Elysium" specifically.
Public Statements and Goals: The narrative around Thiel and Greenland often involves his investment in and support for projects that aim to extract resources and potentially establish autonomous or semi-autonomous communities. While the term "Elysium" isn't used by Thiel or directly associated with his plans, the vision is often portrayed as creating a high-tech, self-sustaining, and perhaps somewhat exclusive society. This is inferred from his association with the Network State movement and his past comments on the stagnation of progress and the need for radical new societal models.
Controversial Undertones: Critics have pointed out the colonialist implications of such projects, suggesting they might involve exploiting Greenland's resources and land for the benefit of a few, potentially mirroring the themes of class division seen in "Elysium". This has sparked discussions about neo-colonialism and the ethics of such grandiose plans in a region where local governance and environmental considerations are paramount.
In summary, while Peter Thiel hasn't explicitly stated he wants to build "Elysium" on Greenland, his financial support for projects like Praxis, which aim to experiment with new forms of community and governance in Greenland, aligns with the metaphorical idea of creating an advanced, possibly exclusive, society akin to the movie's depiction. However, these plans are part of broader ideological and entrepreneurial ambitions rather than a literal intent to replicate the fictional Elysium.
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Perplexity’s answer:
Peter Thiel and his associates have shown interest in acquiring Greenland, but not specifically to build an "Elysium"-like paradise. Instead, their motivations appear to be a mix of strategic, economic, and technological interests.
Thiel's venture capital firm, Pronomos Capital, has funded initiatives within the Network State movement, including a startup called Praxis. Dryden Brown, associated with Praxis, has openly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland.
The motivations behind this interest include:
Natural resources: Greenland is rich in gold, oil, and other resources.
Strategic defense: The territory serves as a strategic asset in the Arctic.
Experimental grounds: Brown has suggested using Greenland as a testing ground for "terraforming," potentially preparing for future Mars colonization.
While these plans don't explicitly mention building an "Elysium," they do reflect a techno-colonialist approach to utilizing Greenland for ambitious projects. It's important to note that these ideas have faced criticism and skepticism, with some viewing them as modern forms of colonialism.
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ChatGPT-4o’s answer:
There is no evidence to suggest that Peter Thiel intends to build a city named "Elysium" in Greenland. However, Thiel has been associated with various visionary projects, including the Seasteading Institute, which aims to create autonomous floating cities in international waters.
In Greenland, entrepreneur Dryden Brown, co-founder of Praxis—a network state startup backed by Thiel—has expressed interest in building a city that emulates a Martian community. In November 2024, Brown visited Greenland to explore the possibility of creating such a city on uninhabitable land. While Thiel's financial backing supports Praxis, there is no indication that he is directly involved in Brown's Greenland project.
It's worth noting that "Elysium" is also the name of a company involved in developing molten salt reactors, a type of nuclear technology. Thiel has shown interest in advanced energy technologies, including nuclear fusion, through investments in companies like Helion Energy.
However, there is no public information linking Thiel to Elysium Industries or any plans involving Greenland.
In summary, while Peter Thiel is known for supporting ambitious and futuristic projects, there is no evidence that he plans to build a city named "Elysium" in Greenland.
Claude’s answer:
I aim to be precise here - while Peter Thiel has expressed interest in various ambitious technological and societal ventures, I don't have reliable information about specific plans related to Greenland. There have been reports and discussions about his interest in creating autonomous communities or societies, including seasteading projects, but I can't make definitive claims about current plans involving Greenland without verifying the details. While the "Elysium" comparison (referring to the 2013 film about a luxurious space habitat for elites) is sometimes used by commentators discussing various proposed exclusive communities, I should avoid speculating about Thiel's specific current intentions or projects since they may have evolved since my last knowledge update.
Would you be interested in discussing the documented history of Thiel's past involvement with seasteading and autonomous community projects that I do have reliable information about?
