Published July 10, 2014 by The Crown Publishing Group.
rereading the paper version.
I have missed so many things 4 years ago when I took it for the first time.
With all the modern shitty essays called books (where they suck one single idea from a huge pipe of dramatic fictitious example) I am not used to have condensed content you actually don't need to skip.
I wish back in my university times we had books by people like Peter
A 2.5 would be more precise. A few interesting insights that I'll probably would have enjoyed right when the book came out (i.e. They're old news now) amidst the classic privileged, libertarian Thiel stuff.
Easily readable and interesting book on the Silicon Valley vision of startups. Maybe one of the quintessential book of the SV mindset; a very convincing overview of why growth > all. Also, an interesting approach to some cached thoughts from school on why monopolies are bad (the book argues that monopolies are the essence of capitalism and we want them). Finally, some very interesting stories and mini case studies from PayPal, one of the author's previous companies.
A second time re-read. Peter's contrarian opinion is always fascinating. Recently read Lean Startup and wanted to know how Steve Blank and Peter Thiel differ or converge. While Peter emphasises on power of vision and importance of bold plans, Steve gives a practical model in implementing and executing the vision.
Some unconventional and useful advice right here
Must read. Amazing insight from one of the leading innovators behind paypal and palantir. Couldn't put it down. It has made me realise how many fields, (as a medic, especially) are primed for digital disruption. The impact that developing new and innovative technologies that improve healthcare is going to be huge. A lot is going to change over the next 10-20 years and we are in a unique position to drive it forward. There are so many amazing ideas and insights in this book. 10/10
Starts well, becomes trite, ends delusional.
A short and concise book that outlines Thiel's advice for startups, interspersed with his often "contrarian" take on things. I found one of his key heuristics—that capitalism benefits most from monopoly, rather than competition—to be insightful.
Thiel touches on education at a few points, and unsurprisingly, given that this is the guy who started a fellowship that pays students to drop out of college to begin startups, his view of our public education system is not positive. I think this is where his worldview benefits from some pushback on nuance -- going from 0 to 1 is great for technology and innovative businesses, but going from 1 to n is great for public education. Incremental change is where schools will benefit the most--aside from invasive technological advances such as lights or electrical inputs inserted into our brains, or possibly the introduction and use of VR and gaming into lessons--I don't …
A short and concise book that outlines Thiel's advice for startups, interspersed with his often "contrarian" take on things. I found one of his key heuristics—that capitalism benefits most from monopoly, rather than competition—to be insightful.
Thiel touches on education at a few points, and unsurprisingly, given that this is the guy who started a fellowship that pays students to drop out of college to begin startups, his view of our public education system is not positive. I think this is where his worldview benefits from some pushback on nuance -- going from 0 to 1 is great for technology and innovative businesses, but going from 1 to n is great for public education. Incremental change is where schools will benefit the most--aside from invasive technological advances such as lights or electrical inputs inserted into our brains, or possibly the introduction and use of VR and gaming into lessons--I don't see how we can make any sudden transformative leaps in boosting IQ and knowledge of the world.
Furthermore, his acknowledgement that capitalism pairs well with monopoly supports the function and involvement of the state in institutions such as education. A state has a monopoly!
But I will say that Thiel's contrarianism got me thinking about how I might rethink approaching special education services, given all the red tape. Solutions might lie more in the direction of Uber than in IEPs . . . Food for thought, and perhaps, one day, a startup.
Good book, Thiel has crafted himself a unique world view. In particular, I am fascinated by how he characterizes the state of the US conscience today as "Indefinite Optimism". From that discussion i think his main point is that we control our future. It's a subtle argument, but very important nonetheless. Thiel brings to light all the uncertainty of the future and the different ways people react to it. Only we can determine our future.
