[chickenfeet]

When the sole reason you're doing an AMA is because you're promoting something - in this case Thiel's book that's about to out - you can do a brief appearance and get enough exposure. He doesn't care about doing an AMA otherwise, I bet.

[patio11]

Respectfully, I think you slightly misunderstand the relative economics of being an author and being Peter Thiel.

[downandout]

You are right in one respect - even if the book became a number one bestseller, Peter Thiel is unlikely to feel the impact financially. But since he wrote a book in the first place, he wants something out of it. Whether he did it for money, increased fame, admiration, or respect, the book must do well for any of those things to come.

So while his motivation may be different than most authors, the path he must follow to make the book do well is largely the same. We'll likely see more things you wouldn't expect to see him do. A billionaire's ego is on the line.

[hkmurakami]

And the most likely one (at least imo) would be to spread his ideas as far as possible. A book is a great medium to reach people who wouldn't otherwise actively seek out information outside of their current scope, by making a stack of physical objects appear in their field of vision and inviting them to take notice.

[jjoonathan]

Respectfully, I think you underestimate Peter Thiel's ability to leverage the prestige and airport bookstore placement that come from good sales numbers.

Little fish may not matter matter on their own, but if the big fish follow the little fish (even unconsciously) then feeding the little fish is a good strategy for subtly influencing the big fish.

[ladytron]

This is cute and true. Years ago I managed authors for Barnes and Noble. The best ones, the richest ones, would stay hours talking to their fans. They would sign books, but talk for a long time to each reader, and sometimes these conversations would extend to drinks then dinner with a group of readers. Of course, the authors that put in the time with their fans were the most successful. I don't think it was an accident.

[carlsborg]

interesting - makes you think perhaps online book sellers should be hosting AMAs.

[icelancer]

If you measure it solely on royalties, you are correct. But such a situation could never exist; otherwise, Thiel would never write a book. So it must be for other non-monetary reasons, and your point is not quite accurate.

[wodenokoto]

It could very well be for monetary reasons. Many non-fiction books are written so as to give the author a possibility to go on a lecture tour, get hired as a consultant or what not.

[prawn]

His one and only AMA seems peculiarly timed with the book launch then.

[jacquesm]

Not everything is motivated by the movement of green pieces of paper.