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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
dark
informative
medium-paced
A must read, one of my most recommended books that gave so much clarity on Silicon Valley, power politics, and various tech movements with which I’ve become acquainted (rationalism, neo-reactionaries, “trads”, seasteading).
Previously, I'd seen Thiel as a benign VC: now I understand his desires and ambitions more clearly. It's written by a Bloomberg journalist and is well-researched.
Be warned: Thiel has many fervent followers who have likely flooded this review section with negative reviews. Read it for yourself. This is my most recommended book of the year.
Previously, I'd seen Thiel as a benign VC: now I understand his desires and ambitions more clearly. It's written by a Bloomberg journalist and is well-researched.
Be warned: Thiel has many fervent followers who have likely flooded this review section with negative reviews. Read it for yourself. This is my most recommended book of the year.
very biased but the story is nonetheless compelling
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
In The Contrarian, Max Chafkin weaves the thread of Pieter Thiel's life - unveiling every embarrassing moment and telling stories that Thiel wishes the world would forget. He explores Thiel's rise to power, his agenda and intent.
The accuracy of the contents of this book might be slightly dubious, but overall, this was an intriguing read about one of the most powerful men in the world that I had never heard of until I picked up this paperback.
The accuracy of the contents of this book might be slightly dubious, but overall, this was an intriguing read about one of the most powerful men in the world that I had never heard of until I picked up this paperback.
I’m glad I read this book if only to confirm the shift in Peter Thiel’s world view wasn’t new. While the work is fairly bias free it’s clear that Thiel’s views and mine (and Mr Chafkin’s) don’t align. I feel like I need a shower after reading this book on total neo reactionary firebrand throwing in order to get just a little further ahead. That’s not how I think and being exposed to this thought process can only help me be a better, more thoughtful person. We can’t be better when we don’t understand the actions around us.
The main reason I didn’t give this book higher marks is that there is a lot of meandering and backtracking - especially around Thiel’s interactions with Meta. While at times interesting I did feel one more pass with an editor would have resulted in a much better read.
Still i think this is a great window into the darker side of tech. In many respects this help explains how a lack of consequence for actions leads to even worse actions because there is only upside. There are those who view that as a bet worth taking. I am not one of those people.
The main reason I didn’t give this book higher marks is that there is a lot of meandering and backtracking - especially around Thiel’s interactions with Meta. While at times interesting I did feel one more pass with an editor would have resulted in a much better read.
Still i think this is a great window into the darker side of tech. In many respects this help explains how a lack of consequence for actions leads to even worse actions because there is only upside. There are those who view that as a bet worth taking. I am not one of those people.