[deepnotderp]

Although this may irritate Thiel given his libertarian philosophy, the reason is rather clearly the decline of focused public research initiatives.

Whereas previously we had universities and government research arms inventing cyclotrons, rockets, GPS and internet systems, we now have an outcome where long term research, which requires a long time with unpredictable returns and a high chance of failure is cast aside in favor of rapid, iterative improvements.

[tedsanders]

I disagree. Public spending on research was far higher in 1950-today than from 1890-1950. And yet it seems technological progress was faster in the 1890-1950 period than afterward.

[CalChris]

I agree with all that but I still wouldn't call Thiel any sort of libertarian. He spoke at the RNC, backed Trump and is in fact a registered Republican. Like many he waved a libertarian flag of convenience when that was fashionable but the dude's a right wing conservative.

I wouldn't say these sort of conservatives are pessimistic about progress so much they are opposed to progress.

[dgut]

"We don't support Trump for his weaknesses but for his strengths." - Thiel at the RNC.

It was a pragmatic choice. Thiel is a libertarian.