Title. I honestly think he is genuinely more clever than the richer, more glory hogging power players, but that’s just a guess.
Those “richest people” lists are based on publicly known wealth, which is almost exclusively public stocks. There is a lot of dark money out there.
Oh yes, I’m aware. I’m sure I can’t begin to fathom.
When you’re in the top 5% it doesn’t really matter where you rank. You will never have to worry about money ever again.
He is an oddity that became a tech press darling, i.e. somebody to report on although not everyone liked him, through PayPal and then his Facebook investment. So he occupied more press real estate than other, long forgotten silicon valley or hedge fund founders. But the fact that he was a founder and successful more often than not makes him the embodiment of the American dream. The immigrant kid that didn’t enherit an emerald mine. The investor who didn’t have to rely on daddy’s wealth as much (or only) as 47. He stands out because he actually finished a degree, not like the Zuckerbergs and Gates of this world. I would say he’s more intelligent than some of those people as well, possibly more strategic. And he has opinions, many of which are controversial to say the least. And if Melon Usk is an example of the in-your-face out-of-touch billionaire and Bill Gates an example of the more reserved out-of-touch do-gooder, Thiel is the more reserved out-of-touch do-weird-shitter. He doesn’t mind the limelight but he doesn’t really seek it. The Melon shows no signs any more of any long-term planning. Like a bladder weakened by ketamine use he just pisses all over everything he happens to stand next to. Gates has an agenda and applies his wealth strategically - and whatever your opinion about the good he actually does - the intention is to do good. Thiel is like that but the intention is to do rightwing libertarian stuff. Quietly, if possible. But there are eyes on him because of his past press “career.” And I didn’t know about his sexual orientation until quite recently - why should anybody care? - but my guess is that a weird idea spouting gay conservative cannot escape the prying eyes of a, let’s face it, predominantly heteronormative press completely. And if you mix this all up you can see why his name keeps popping up. Especially when you consider who presses the diet coke button in the white house.
His private bunker and shock collar apocalypse planning being reported got him on my radar. I can’t give the first damn about his sexuality, and the politicians don’t either. It’s just something else to entertain the masses.
Race, and other privilege appear to matter, very much. Not as much as money, though.
It’s telling Thiel finished education but discourages others. Maybe his Machiavellianism is the key?
Maybe he likes being a tad unpredictable. If I had to choose if I wanted to be his friend or if I wanted to be stuck in an elevator with him for an hour, I’d clearly say neither, thanks. History will probably record him as a stirrup-holder of full born fascism.
I think a lot of it is that he spends much more strategically and with lots of strings attached. He also does a lot of work to basically indoctrinate folks who aren’t big players and fund them until they are - JD Vance being a prime example. He’s basically developed into a cult leader for rich wannabes and ends up owning their asses.
I think a lot of things come with strings, often without being explicitly communicated, which has made me wary.
It’s not about how much money he is holding, it’s about how much he spent and where/to whom.
