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How Peter Thiel’s Palantir helped expand the NSA’s global spy network

theintercept.com

11–20 of 207 posts

Re: How Peter Thiel’s Palantir helped expand the NSA’s global spy network

#11
As far as I can tell, there's no new "technology" in whatever product Palantir offers (I have briefly used it before?). It seems to me that it's just a program for data visualization, which given that the government is one of their customers, is quite the grifting of the public.

Re: How Peter Thiel’s Palantir helped expand the NSA’s global spy network

#12
post #10

Palantir makes an analysis tool. Excel is also used for Intel analysis. Does that make Bill Gates evil? Poor click bait article that starts off with personal attacks and is completely meant to sensationalize what is basically a souped up MS Excel.

Since Thiel is now part of the US government, i think it is not unexpected that he will be attacked. Time will show if the mud they throw will stay.

Re: How Peter Thiel’s Palantir helped expand the NSA’s global spy network

#13
post #10

Palantir makes an analysis tool. Excel is also used for Intel analysis. Does that make Bill Gates evil? Poor click bait article that starts off with personal attacks and is completely meant to sensationalize what is basically a souped up MS Excel.

Someone might argue that there is difference between off the shelf analysis tool and government contractor selling his services.

Re: How Peter Thiel’s Palantir helped expand the NSA’s global spy network

#14

As far as I can tell, there's no new "technology" in whatever product Palantir offers (I have briefly used it before?). It seems to me that it's just a program for data visualization, which given that the government is one of their customers, is quite the grifting of the public.

I certainly have never used it before, but I got the impression it's a giant graph database, and an easy UX on top to search it.

Re: How Peter Thiel’s Palantir helped expand the NSA’s global spy network

#15

As far as I can tell, there's no new "technology" in whatever product Palantir offers (I have briefly used it before?). It seems to me that it's just a program for data visualization, which given that the government is one of their customers, is quite the grifting of the public.

I interviewed for them a few months back and they have some things surrounding data tagging and linking that fall under "dynamic ontology" they'd probably consider unique. And they have some access control stuff that seems neat. I don't understand either concept fully - only got 3 rounds in.

Re: How Peter Thiel’s Palantir helped expand the NSA’s global spy network

#16
post #4

I just don't understand how he can call himself a libertarian. Self-rationalizing has no ends.

How is blatant capitalism in conflict with libertarianism?

I ask this question genuinely because I never know what Americans mean when they use the term libertarian with a small L. What specifically about this ideology is being broken here?

I understand American libertarianism to be based in selfishness and greed to the collective benefit of society. So that if we're all greedy and act out of our own best interest society as a whole benefits from increased wealth creation. What about Palantir contradicts this?

Re: How Peter Thiel’s Palantir helped expand the NSA’s global spy network

#17
What about ex president Obama who actually used the tech? So much outrage for Thiel, but where were the protests when Obama wiretapped the world?

Ps. I think Thiel is a hypocrite if he really thinks himself as libertarian. Also, despite having money and power I think he has big balls to go against SV where he made himself. I also don't understand how did he became so powerful, every time he talks.. He has charisma of an old rag.

Re: How Peter Thiel’s Palantir helped expand the NSA’s global spy network

#18
While there is plenty of discussion to be had on Palanyir, I think the more relevant discussion would be in the role the CIA plays in infiltration-by-default through In-Q-Tel of companies we like to forget got their start there, such as Facebook and Google and many more.

Re: How Peter Thiel’s Palantir helped expand the NSA’s global spy network

#19

What about ex president Obama who actually used the tech? So much outrage for Thiel, but where were the protests when Obama wiretapped the world? Ps. I think Thiel is a hypocrite if he really thinks himself as libertarian. Also, despite having money and power I think he has big balls to go against SV where he made himself. I also don't understand how did he became so powerful, every time he talks.. He has charisma of…

The Intercept has written about Obama's abuse of the surveillance state and executive power since its inception. This kind of whataboutism adds little to the discussion.

Re: How Peter Thiel’s Palantir helped expand the NSA’s global spy network

#20
post #4

I just don't understand how he can call himself a libertarian. Self-rationalizing has no ends.

How is blatant capitalism in conflict with libertarianism? I ask this question genuinely because I never know what Americans mean when they use the term libertarian with a small L. What specifically about this ideology is being broken here? I understand American libertarianism to be based in selfishness and greed to the collective benefit of society. So that if we're all greedy and act out of our own best interest so…

American libertarianism is about excluding the government from as much as you possibly can. Mass surveillance of a states citizens if practically the antithesis of that.
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