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Thiel shows why tech billionaires are the new robber barons

reuters.com

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Re: Thiel shows why tech billionaires are the new robber barons

#91

Post by GrumpyYoungMan »

further_tech wrote: post #73
supergirl wrote: post #11

I wonder what's the connection, if any, between the author of the article and Gawker. If he's the same guy I found on Linkedin, he seems to be working for some kind of PR company for hire; also confirmed by the article footnote. I hope nobody takes this article only for what it is but also questions why it is.

Even if so, I'd rather move beyond the Ad hominem.

Pointing out that a source is likely not impartial because they are a professional PR specialist is hardly an ad hominem.

From the author's page: "Keith uses the power of strategic communications along with his experience as a lawyer and company co-founder to secure maximum leverage for his clients. His individual and team recognitions include the PR News Award for Outstanding Media Exposure (Business Development); The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences Webby Award Official Honoree; and the American Bar Association Award of Excellence (for writing). Keith is based in New York City."

Granted, correlation is not causation and it's theoretically possible for the good Mr. Emmer to have a long standing interest in journalistic freedom. (A cursory Googling of his name and the obvious keywords shows no evidence of such history.) But would anyone here care to bet much money on it?

Re: Thiel shows why tech billionaires are the new robber barons

#92

Post by chongli »

threatofrain wrote: post #28
bko wrote: post #17

> Litigation finance is typically a business venture. It doesn’t become charity because a wealthy person uses it as a template for a personal crusade and then insists he’s doing everyone else a favor. Why? Many cases brought by individuals or groups on moral grounds have led the way to better governance. A lot of good work has been done by groups such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Why should individuals or g…

I don't think the problem is the fact that Peter Thiel tossed money in the direction of a lawsuit. The issue is that money matters in justice, and that Peter Thiel coincidentally put his money somewhere did not make this so. People are focusing shame on Peter Thiel today but that's the wrong place. There will always be rich people.

The issue is that money matters in justice

Which reveals the lie behind the term "justice system". It's a judicial system. Its goal is to render judgments. Its relationship to justice exists only in the abstract.

Re: Thiel shows why tech billionaires are the new robber barons

#93

Post by further_tech »

dimino wrote: post #86
further_tech wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even if so, I'd rather move beyond the Ad hominem.

It's not an ad hominem, because the article isn't making an argument, and someone questioning his motives isn't saying he's wrong because of his motives.

The article is making an argument (Thiel shows why tech billionaires are the new robber barons) and, regardless of the author's motives or background, I analyze his arguments.

Claiming "isn't saying he's wrong because of his motives" is just reinforcing what I'm trying to say.

Re: Thiel shows why tech billionaires are the new robber barons

#94

Post by Artistry121 »

further_tech wrote: post #88
JustSomeNobody wrote: post #37

Wait a minute. Gawker is no righteous hero here. Let's see if I understand correctly. Gawker outs Thiel (which is nobody's business, yet Gawker decided to make it people's business). Gawker at some point later posts an illegal SEX tape (again, nobody's business). Now, we're supposed to feel sorry for Gawker because Thiel wants to help out another person who was WRONGED by Gawker? Wow. Just wow.

Have you seen Gawker's piece on Thiel? ( http://gawker.com/335894/peter-thiel-is-totally-gay-people ) Surely broke his privacy, but by no means was it offensive. I get how HOGAN would be mad, but this seems like a whining billionaire without better ideas for his money. (irony much?)

Either way he righted a wrong. His outcome was to stop a media service from releasing non-important but damaging information and Gawker's was to exploit private information illegally obtained for profit.

It's a better way to spend money than on a boat.

Re: Thiel shows why tech billionaires are the new robber barons

#95

Post by fixermark »

venomsnake wrote: post #39
EddieSpeaks wrote: post #30

Gawker is utter shite and it's a dangerous tabloid. I have no idea why anyone with a sane mind would be on their side in this issue. this is just a revenge story, let it go!

Because I am free speech absolutist which means defending speech that I don't like. There were other ways to nail gawker - copyright infringement comes to mind.

I don't understand how a free speech absolutist supports a copyright-based retribution approach. "Absolutist" may not mean what you think it means.

Re: Thiel shows why tech billionaires are the new robber barons

#96

Post by JustSomeNobody »

further_tech wrote: post #88
JustSomeNobody wrote: post #37

Wait a minute. Gawker is no righteous hero here. Let's see if I understand correctly. Gawker outs Thiel (which is nobody's business, yet Gawker decided to make it people's business). Gawker at some point later posts an illegal SEX tape (again, nobody's business). Now, we're supposed to feel sorry for Gawker because Thiel wants to help out another person who was WRONGED by Gawker? Wow. Just wow.

Have you seen Gawker's piece on Thiel? ( http://gawker.com/335894/peter-thiel-is-totally-gay-people ) Surely broke his privacy, but by no means was it offensive. I get how HOGAN would be mad, but this seems like a whining billionaire without better ideas for his money. (irony much?)

1. What does a person's sexuality have ANYTHING AT ALL to do with VC funding? It blows my mind how much people care about who someone else is screwing!!! That's a private thing. Keep it at home.

2. If Thiel wanted anyone to know, it is his privilege to do so. It doesn't matter that it was not offensive to further_tech. Do you think it MAY have been offensive to Thiel?

Re: Thiel shows why tech billionaires are the new robber barons

#97

Post by further_tech »

Artistry121 wrote: post #94
further_tech wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you seen Gawker's piece on Thiel? ( http://gawker.com/335894/peter-thiel-is-totally-gay-people ) Surely broke his privacy, but by no means was it offensive. I get how HOGAN would be mad, but this seems like a whining billionaire without better ideas for his money. (irony much?)

Either way he righted a wrong. His outcome was to stop a media service from releasing non-important but damaging information and Gawker's was to exploit private information illegally obtained for profit. It's a better way to spend money than on a boat.

The same could be said about any media company.

He did not "righted a wrong". This was a vicious "eye for an eye".

Re: Thiel shows why tech billionaires are the new robber barons

#98

Post by protomyth »

So, news companies (owned by rich people) which have been able to print untrue or private things with impunity are mad because someone richer than them decided to retaliate. Rich people mad at richer people for threatening their power.

This is basically why I find most money in politics stories to be laughable since these publishers sure spend a lot of money on ink.

Reuters is just mad they might actually step on the wrong person and be held accountable.

Re: Thiel shows why tech billionaires are the new robber barons

#100

Post by samirillian »

bko wrote: post #17

> Litigation finance is typically a business venture. It doesn’t become charity because a wealthy person uses it as a template for a personal crusade and then insists he’s doing everyone else a favor. Why? Many cases brought by individuals or groups on moral grounds have led the way to better governance. A lot of good work has been done by groups such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Why should individuals or g…

The fact that Gawker sucks is not a matter of debate, and it was not the topic of the article.

The fact that you, without irony, see fit to compare Thiel's actions to those of the EFF proves the relevance of the article.

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