A Mind-Bending Conversation with Peter Thiel

In this episode of "Interesting Times," Ross Douthat interviews Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, about his "stagnation thesis," which argues that technological progress has slowed significantly since the mid-20th century. They discuss whether recent advancements like AI are enough to overcome this stagnation, the cultural and political implications of a no-growth future, and the risks of seeking radical change through political disruption. Thiel elaborates on his support for figures like Donald Trump as a means of challenging the status quo, while also expressing concerns about the potential for technological advancements to be used for control and conformity, referencing the concept of the Antichrist as a metaphor for a one-world totalitarian state. The conversation also touches on transhumanism, the role of religion, and the balance between human freedom and divine intervention in shaping history.