Thirty years ago, a peace-loving Austrian theologian spoke to Peter Thiel about the apocalyptic theories of Nazi jurist Carl Schmitt. They’ve been a road map for the billionaire ever since.

Depending on who you are, you may find it hilarious, fascinating, insufferable, or horrifying that one of the world’s most powerful men is obsessing over a figure from sermons and horror movies. But the ideas and influences behind these talks are key to understanding how Thiel sees his own massive role in the world—in politics, technology, and the fate of the species. And to really grasp Thiel’s katechon-and-Antichrist schtick, you need to go back to the first major lecture of his doomsday road show—which took place on an unusually hot day in Paris in 2023. No video cameras recorded the event, and no reporters wrote about it, but I’ve been able to reconstruct it by talking to people who were there.

  • Basic Glitch@sh.itjust.worksOP
    1·
    21 hours ago

    Thus, my interpretation, the natural conclusion is that Vance is scapegoating immigrants, trans people, etc. in some deranged plan to prevent the end of the world.

    Or so they can always claim

    Thiel is and has always been very careful to have his own scapegoat in place (in this case Vance or Alex Karp) so that he can always avoid the repercussions that follow the inevitable downfall his own actions have caused.