Peter Thiel’s Embrace of Trump Has Silicon Valley Squirming

There are quite a few Trump supporters in the Valley, but they simply stay quiet because they will get 'racist' yelled at them and it will potentially hurt their careers.

Re: Peter Thiel’s Embrace of Trump Has Silicon Valley Squirming

#5

Post by anonymousguy » Wed, Jul 20, 2016, 5:39 PM UTC

The Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson might set a record this year for highest votes attained by a third party candidate.

Re: Peter Thiel’s Embrace of Trump Has Silicon Valley Squirming

#6

Post by seany » Wed, Jul 20, 2016, 5:40 PM UTC

carsongross wrote: post #4

There are quite a few Trump supporters in the Valley, but they simply stay quiet because they will get 'racist' yelled at them and it will potentially hurt their careers.

I don't even think we're that rare. The more left leaning folks around here are just _really_ left though, so staying quiet makes more sense most of the time.

Re: Peter Thiel’s Embrace of Trump Has Silicon Valley Squirming

#7

Post by intopieces » Wed, Jul 20, 2016, 5:41 PM UTC

Given the libertarian/Randian streak that runs through silicon valley, support for Trump doesn't seem too outlandish. Especially when you consider his non-dedication to the typical right-wing 'family values' that aren't really popular in that region of California.

Re: Peter Thiel’s Embrace of Trump Has Silicon Valley Squirming

#8

Post by jscott0918 » Wed, Jul 20, 2016, 5:42 PM UTC

This is interesting to me. The lack of diversity in the tech industry is definitely something that will be harmful in the long run. Diversity is necessary to improve the relevance of new ideas in tech and to promote them to broader audiences from different cultures.

The trend towards making a pariah out of anyone with opposing points of view can be equally harmful to promoting diversity of thought. Making people afraid of speaking their minds can hardly help the flow of new ideas or positively impact the industry. While I likely don't agree with the political ideology of a speaker at the RNC, I definitely agree with the right of anyone to do so without being held captive by the threat of activism at home. Boycotting and protesting people with different political views may feel good in the short run, but it is unhelpful to promoting freedom and equality in the long run.

If they can't say what I find reprehensible today, how do I know that views I hold dear will be "allowed" in the future?

Re: Peter Thiel’s Embrace of Trump Has Silicon Valley Squirming

#9

Post by wturner » Wed, Jul 20, 2016, 5:42 PM UTC

From Peter Thiels perspective its a smart move because he's the only one willing to do something this crazy. This gives him a "monopoly" (as he likes to say) on political access as it relates to the tech world if Trump wins. In short it looks like a bet. Personally I find Trump an archetype of everything I'm trying to get away from in life.... but that is not the point. Also this is just my opinion and maybe their is no greater agenda and Peter Thiel just likes him.

Re: Peter Thiel’s Embrace of Trump Has Silicon Valley Squirming

#10

Post by sevenless » Wed, Jul 20, 2016, 5:43 PM UTC

intopieces wrote: post #7

Given the libertarian/Randian streak that runs through silicon valley, support for Trump doesn't seem too outlandish. Especially when you consider his non-dedication to the typical right-wing 'family values' that aren't really popular in that region of California.

Isn't a libertarian just what Republicans call themselves in Northern California?