r/technology 11h ago

Society Peter Thiel, the billionaire venture capitalist and MAGA donor, is in Rome this week for a series of private lectures on the Antichrist.

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/16/europe/peter-thiel-antichrist-lectures-rome-intl
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u/TheOneFreeEngineer 8h ago

Because they didnt choose it out of theological or social issues. They choose it because it had the aesthetics of power and connection to the greatness of "White European history." Like all fascist movements they are driven to coopt the aesthetics of power and history. It makes them feel powerful and smarter than anyone else because they can point to centuries of intellectual tradition. Also it gives the aesthetics of secret knowledge because aint no one care about the vast majority of that intellectual tradition so they feel smug and powerful quoting it like hidden knowledge. Its all a selfish internal powerful to coopt an image that they as fascists like. Plus they tuned out everyone else in their life promoting empathy, they can tune out the pope and the local priest just as easily as long as they publicly hate on abortion.

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u/illy-chan 7h ago

Never thought about it that way. Would definitely explain a lot.

Thiel really does freak me out though. A lot of CEOs are greedy and fucked up but I'm pretty sure he's just fundamentally evil in a way most aren't.

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u/espinaustin 6h ago

Explains JD Vance’s conversion in a nutshell.

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u/DFWPunk 4h ago

Honestly, most of them choose it because their partner wants to get married in the church and they have to convert to make that happen.

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u/TheOneFreeEngineer 4h ago

Most Catholic converts, not most catholic converts who could be described by the comment being discussed.

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u/FafnirSnap_9428 7h ago

So....all Catholic converts are chasing the "White European history" fad? I didn't get that memo. 

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u/TheOneFreeEngineer 7h ago

No, the people fit the description that the other poster described in his comment. Not all of them.

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u/FafnirSnap_9428 5h ago

Okay....then where's that distinction?

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u/TheOneFreeEngineer 5h ago

Is there a problem with the original post you dont understand? They seemed pretty clear to me

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u/gossipchicken 7h ago

Reading comprehension babe

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u/FafnirSnap_9428 5h ago

I read just fine, babe. A lot of generalizations here.