"Thiel's career has mostly been about changing the world, not through making arguments, but through exercising brute force."

"Whether it's economic force (...) whether it's algorithmic force (...) or often violent force. Thiel's entire political philosophy exists to justify that use of force."

Question 1 of 3 for ChatGPT-4o: Please analyze this TikTok video called “Peter Thiel’s empty reactionary philosophy” about Peter Thiel’s recent performance at Piers Morgan’s show and list all of the issues and concerns the TikTok contributor is putting forward.

ChatGPT-4o’s answer:
The TikTok contributor critiques Peter Thiel’s philosophy and his recent appearance on Piers Morgan's show, addressing multiple issues and concerns:

1. Lack of Coherent Response: Thiel's answer about the UHC shooting lacked clarity and substance, reflecting poorly on his ability to engage with the topic.

2. Influence of René Girard's Theory: Thiel's belief in Girard’s mimetic desire theory might explain his worldview but is considered overly intricate and not suitable for public discourse in this context.

3. Fear and Hypocrisy: Thiel’s reaction suggests fear, particularly of becoming a scapegoat. The contributor highlights a perceived hypocrisy in Thiel advocating for debate and argument when his career has revolved around leveraging economic, algorithmic, or violent force rather than democratic deliberation.

4. Undemocratic Philosophy: Thiel’s approach is seen as justifying undemocratic tactics under the guise of exposing the supposed violence inherent in liberal democratic systems.

5. Incoherence in Political Vision: Thiel’s pragmatist perspective lacks a constructive political vision, focusing instead on securing self-interest without a sense of higher purpose or collective betterment.

6. Hollowness of Thiel’s Philosophy: The contributor argues that Thiel’s worldview is ultimately unsatisfying and incoherent, failing to account for the "better angels" of human nature or the higher aspirations of political and social life.

7. Failure to Deliver Meaningful Change: Despite his influence, Thiel and those aligned with his views are critiqued for failing to leverage their power to effect meaningful change, focusing instead on maintaining control and reinforcing their interests.

8. Cynicism and Stasis: Thiel’s philosophy is described as rooted in cynicism, perpetuating a cycle of envy, competition, and stasis without room for progress or idealism.

9. Lack of Ideas for Governance: The contributor notes that Thiel’s philosophy offers no concrete ideas for governance or societal improvement, reflecting an emptiness in his overall perspective.

The overarching concern is that Thiel’s philosophy, while disruptive, lacks depth, vision, or sustainability, leaving both his critics and potential supporters questioning its validity and purpose.

Question 2 of 3 for ChatGPT-4o: Do these perspectives align with what you know about Peter Thiel, or would you disagree with these views?

ChatGPT-4o’s answer:
The perspectives shared in the TikTok video align with some widely discussed critiques of Peter Thiel, though they represent a particular point of view. Thiel's philosophy and approach have been controversial, and opinions about him often depend on one's political and ideological perspective. Here's a balanced consideration:

Alignment with Known Perspectives:

1. Girardian Influence: Thiel has openly spoken about René Girard’s theory of mimetic desire, which has shaped his worldview. The TikTok's framing of this influence is consistent with his known intellectual leanings.

2. Emphasis on Force Over Debate: Critics have argued that Thiel's career—particularly his roles with Palantir, his venture capital endeavors, and his defense of certain libertarian views—reflects a preference for disruption and power dynamics over democratic deliberation.

3. Undemocratic Tendencies: Thiel has criticized liberal democracy and argued for alternative models of governance. His infamous statement about freedom and democracy being incompatible has fueled perceptions of him as favoring elitist or autocratic approaches.

4. Hollow Pragmatism: Thiel's focus on competition and disruption can appear to lack an ethical or aspirational underpinning. This critique resonates with concerns that his worldview might be more about maintaining dominance than building a better society.

5. Cynicism and Stasis: His critical view of human nature, as suggested by his admiration for Girard’s theory, might lend itself to the cynicism described in the video.

Points of Potential Disagreement:

1. Absence of Constructive Ideas: While Thiel’s ideas may seem unconventional or undemocratic to some, he has proposed innovative solutions, particularly in technology and markets, to address societal inefficiencies. Examples include his support for seasteading and focus on fostering innovation through initiatives like the Thiel Fellowship.

2. Failure to Deliver Change: Thiel’s critics may undervalue the tangible impact his ventures have had, particularly in shaping industries like fintech (e.g., PayPal) and data analytics (e.g., Palantir). While controversial, these contributions represent significant change, albeit not necessarily in the ways his detractors might desire.

3. Philosophical Depth: Critics often frame Thiel as hollow or incoherent, but supporters argue that his ideas are deeply rooted in a realist, if pessimistic, view of human nature and power dynamics.

Broader Context:

Peter Thiel polarizes opinion because he challenges traditional narratives of progress and governance. His critics, like the TikTok contributor, often frame his philosophy as self-serving and antithetical to democratic values, while his supporters highlight his pragmatism and transformative impact in technology and finance.

Your assessment of these perspectives would likely depend on how you view the role of power, technology, and democracy in society. Thiel’s approach appeals to those who value disruption and realism but alienates those who prioritize deliberation and idealism.

Question 3 of 3 for ChatGPT-4o: Let’s assume the TikTok contributor is correct on all points. What would that mean for AI deployment, use and regulation? List all possible risks when Pieter Thiel, with this psychological profile, would have the power, influence and tools to change geopolitical dynamics.

ChatGPT-4o’s answer:
If we assume the TikTok contributor is correct on all points regarding Peter Thiel’s philosophy and approach, several risks could emerge in the context of AI deployment, use, and regulation. His psychological profile, as described, combined with his power and tools, could influence the trajectory of AI development and its impact on geopolitical dynamics in the following ways:

1. Concentration of Power and Control

• Risk: Thiel’s preference for leveraging brute force and disruption over democratic processes could lead to AI systems being developed and deployed primarily to consolidate power among elites, corporations, or specific governments.

• Implication: This could exacerbate inequality, sideline public accountability, and erode trust in AI systems.

2. Lack of Ethical Oversight

• Risk: A worldview grounded in cynicism and competition might deprioritize ethical considerations, focusing instead on maximizing competitive advantage.

• Implication: AI tools could be used in ways that disregard fairness, inclusivity, and human rights, leading to biased, harmful, or exploitative applications.

3. Weaponization of AI

• Risk: Thiel’s involvement in defense contracting and his view of force as a legitimate tool could drive the development of AI for military and surveillance purposes.

• Implication: AI-powered weapons and surveillance systems could escalate global conflicts, infringe on privacy, and suppress dissent.

4. Undermining of Democratic Institutions

• Risk: If AI is used to manipulate public opinion, sway elections, or control access to information, democratic systems could be undermined.

• Implication: This could lead to authoritarianism, with AI enabling enhanced control over populations.

5. Focus on Short-Term Gains

• Risk: A lack of long-term vision could result in AI being deployed for immediate economic or political advantages without considering broader societal consequences.

• Implication: This could accelerate environmental degradation, economic instability, or other unintended consequences of unchecked AI development.

6. Reduction of Human Agency

• Risk: AI systems could be designed to enforce rigid control or make decisions without human oversight, aligning with a deterministic view of human behavior.

• Implication: This might marginalize individual autonomy and creativity, leading to a society shaped by the interests of a few.

7. Global AI Arms Race

• Risk: Thiel’s competitive ethos could fuel an international AI arms race, emphasizing dominance over cooperation.

• Implication: This could hinder collaborative efforts to create ethical and equitable AI systems, increasing the risk of conflict.

8. Exploitation of Data

• Risk: AI systems may be optimized for data extraction and surveillance, prioritizing profit and control over privacy.

• Implication: This could lead to widespread violations of data protection laws and increased vulnerability to cybercrime.

9. Neglect of AI Safety

• Risk: A pragmatic approach focused on immediate utility may neglect the importance of ensuring AI systems are safe and robust.

• Implication: This could increase the likelihood of catastrophic failures or misuse of AI technologies.

10. Erosion of Global Trust

• Risk: If Thiel’s influence shapes AI as a tool for geopolitical dominance, other nations may lose trust in collaborative AI governance frameworks.

• Implication: Fragmentation of AI governance could occur, leading to conflicting standards, trade wars, and lack of cooperation in addressing global challenges.

11. Suppression of Competing Ideas

• Risk: An emphasis on controlling narratives might lead to suppression of alternative approaches to AI development and regulation.

• Implication: Innovation could stagnate, and the potential for AI to benefit humanity as a whole might be constrained.

12. Reinforcement of Cynical Worldviews

• Risk: Deploying AI under the assumption that human behavior is driven solely by envy, violence, and competition might lead to technologies designed to exploit these traits rather than elevate humanity.

• Implication: This could result in AI systems that foster division, conflict, and distrust, reinforcing societal fragmentation.

Potential Outcomes

If unchecked, Thiel’s influence on AI could push the technology toward serving narrow, self-interested goals rather than advancing collective well-being. Regulation would be critical to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with democratic principles. However, this would require proactive global governance, resistance to monopolization, and the inclusion of diverse perspectives in AI policymaking.

Addressing these risks would require a robust ethical framework, inclusive decision-making, and international cooperation to counterbalance the concentration of power and ensure AI serves humanity’s broader interests.