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In SoylentNews' continuing coverage of the aftershocks of the US Presidential election, it appears that tech will factor large in a Trump administration:
Billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel is putting together a brain trust of Silicon Valley insiders to share ideas with the transition team for President-elect Donald Trump. But he's having trouble finding takers.
For the full story, consult the Washington Post article.
Some further tidbits:
Thiel, a libertarian who was shunned by his tech industry peers for being a Trump supporter, is pitching his personal network of entrepreneurs on the opportunity to influence an incoming administration that is somewhat of a blank slate when it comes to technology policy. Because Trump had so few ties to the world of tech, Thiel will have an unusually powerful influence on the new administration, the people familiar with his thinking said.
This much we already knew. Real estate development is ancient tech. Heck, Emperor Nero of Rome did it when he let Rome burn so he could build new condos! But there is resistance in the Valley of Silicon.
But in the liberal bastion of Silicon Valley — where Trump is despised and even admitting you're a Republican can hurt your candidacy for a job – that coveted opportunity has been fraught with challenges. And some people have turned him down altogether. Thiel declined to comment.
We may have reached the corporate defined limits of fair use, so I encourage one and all to read the complete WaPo article. I have not heard anything about an offer being made to The Mighty Buzzard yet, but it is in the range of possibility!
(Score: 2, Flamebait) by jmorris on Monday November 28 2016, @04:49PM
based solely on whether they are part of some minority or not?
Well identity politics is THE basis of Progressive politics, is it not? And there is plenty of precedent for special hate for traitors to their 'identity group'. Look at the hatred and the most vile abuse not only heaped on black conservatives, the total lack of concern by all the usual people who pretend to be outraged for a living. Justice Thomas is a perfect example but ask any black in the Tea Party what their email and social media look like. Raise yer hand if you would volunteer to presort the inbox of Diamond and Silk, the two black ladies who made all those pro Trump YouTube videos. Or look at women who refuse to salute smartly and follow their 'leaders' in the feminist movement. Examples range from the late Phyllis Schlafly to Gov Palin for a recent one. Why is it hard to believe Mr. Thiel is getting an extra helping of shit for being a gay man who rejects identity politics.
Personally I think it sucks for the individuals who must endure the hazing, but it is great in one very important way for the Right. We do not have many minorities on the Right but because of the extreme social pressure the ones who do break through the line and join tend to be the best and brightest. When they break to the right they tend to actually know WHY they are supporting the positions they take and they believe it strongly enough to act on it despite the price they know they will pay with family and former friends.
(Score: 2) by HiThere on Monday November 28 2016, @07:35PM
No.
FWIW I consider myself a minarchist, but most minarchists think I want too much government. I'm definitely NOT a Libertarian. But most progressives have many goals, and don't consider sexual orientation important. They *do* tend to defend minorities in a way that I consider excessive, but my reasons for thinking it excessive is that I don't like giving the government that much power. If the government is going to have the power anyway for other reasons, then I think it should be used to level the playing field.
Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday November 29 2016, @05:37PM
Do you have a special pronoun you'd like us to use?
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 28 2016, @09:48PM
> Well identity politics is THE basis of Progressive politics, is it not?
Identity is the basis of all politics. If you don't think non-progressive politics aren't all about identity, then you just can't see it because its the majoritarian identity and you are so immersed in it that you think its just the natural state.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 28 2016, @10:32PM
We do not have many minorities on the Right but because of the extreme social pressure the ones who do break through the line and join tend to be the best and brightest.
You meant "the most mercenary and avaricious"? Better to be a Black Republican than a big fish in a large ocean, I always say! (Say Hi! to Justice Thomas's wife for me!)