[anonymars]

He literally considers Saruman the good guy, Mordor the good place, and Gandalf the bad guy (holding back technological progress)

Discussed previously e.g. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45901389

[bluefirebrand]

Wait seriously?

I'm pretty sure Tolkien would be furious at the mere idea. He could not have written more thoroughly black and white morality if he tried...

[icantevenhold]

It’s based on a retelling of the story that isn’t as black and white and more based around the idea that technology and progress are good.

I haven’t read it but the premise is quite cool. Of course having Thiel as a fan kinda ruins it but I still wanted to read it sometime.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Ringbearer

[warumdarum]

Well if the stories where realistic the shire would overproduce people in 3 generation and then export miserable mercenaries ala afghanistan for the rest of days.