It is no joke to think how few people would need to be swapped around to reshape the face of the internet. Seeing things like this also makes me think that it is risky to attack successful people and companies.
These people are like that atom. They do have special traits and play a role in pulling enough chimps together and starting reactions sort of like uranium. But once you understand the process and know how to find uranium there are much more interesting things to do than worship the uranium.
Very cool seeing the makers/innovators like Elon go on to make cool things. For example, I'm convinced the space industry would've been totally different if not for him. I doubt the VC space would've changed too much without FoundersFund et al.
that will make the chairs and CEOs take society more seriously, or wind up with the people telling the company what to do
Countries that already have something similar are productive, the differences are that quarterly profits arent obsessed over and valuations arent as stretched as a “consequence”. So who cares? Ooohh noo productivity declined because some ridiculous impossible quarterly goal wasnt met, not the strongest counterpoint
There are much more stunning examples than that. For example Stalin has pretty much shaped the fate of billions for decades, and he was just one man.
Ideally it wouldn't be risky at all; in some circumstances it can be risky; but I don't see anything about the "Paypal Mafia" that indicates more risk. If anything most of these people seem like they started off as relative nobodies, and could return to obscurity just as easily.
EDIT: This has ben downvoted :) I guess it's (very slightly) risky to say the Paypal Mafia isn't that scary.
He's probably right that the internet is better without Gawker, but it's also a good example of what may happen when you upset successful people and companies enough.
Instead, Thiel bankrolled a lawsuit for invasion ift privacy and emotional distress, because there's no ceiling on jury awards in cases like that.
I don’t like Peter Thiel, but to be honest I think more companies need to be Gawkered when they flagrantly ignore the law.