Hacker News Reader

Comment by nodesocket | Hacker News Reader

Not convinced this is Hacker News worthy. Let's keep politics in political forums.

This statement is absurd.

Hacker News has a very, very, very well-established history of political pieces. Everything from EU politics, tax policy, candidate elections, and law enforcement practices.

Peter Thiel is a YC advisor. This is both a tech and a political story.

But how is how Peter decides to spend his personal wealth and his political opinions on-topic?

Because this isn't just a private matter. Peter is very vocal about his vision of society - in which tech plays a big place - and this donation definitely gives some interesting color to that vision.

What people choose to do with their person wealth is important, when they use their wealth to influence elections.

I would say so if he's a YC advisor. He doesn't have to justify his actions but it would be interesting to understand or at least try to understand his point of view. My guess is it has to do with taxes.

And Sam Altman's BFF

Edit: In case you don't think that's relevant, go read this: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/10/10/sam-altmans-man...

From the article: "If the pandemic does come, Altman’s backup plan is to fly with his friend Peter Thiel, the billionaire venture capitalist, to Thiel’s house in New Zealand."

Do you really think that Thiel's advice has no effect on Mr. Altman's decisions?

Wasn't aware of that. Sam's political views appear to be directly opposite of Peter's then if his Twitter is any indication.

That's why it's surprising. They're "I'm gonna spend the rest of my life with you if a world catastrophe happens" kind of buddies, according to this NewYorker Profile:

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/10/10/sam-altmans-man...

Their ability to remain friends despite political differences speaks very well of both.

Peter is free to support whoever he wants. Just because he is associated with YC, does not make his views YC's views.

Technology has always been political, even moreso today. to ignore that in search for purism around codebase discussions is at the peril of this forum.

I've enjoyed reading the well thought out arguments on this page. So, where is a better political forum? I've tired of reddit as the noise/signal ratio has grown intolerable.

True - still hoping it ain't so

I don't feel that discussions of what is appropriate to discuss on hacker news are Hacker News worthy. Let the chips fall where they land, I say.

Of course, there's an old adage about the ubiquity and quality of opinions

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