I won't pretend Thiel's behavior in this matter is unambiguously good, but Gawker is a habitual bad actor, assisting stalkers, violating privacy on numerous occ

I won't pretend Thiel's behavior in this matter is unambiguously good, but Gawker is a habitual bad actor, assisting stalkers, violating privacy on numerous occasions for reasons most reasonable people wouldn't consider newsworthy and offering bounties for stolen property. Several of those behaviors are illegal, and the last is likely criminal. Viewed in a favorable light, Thiel wants to discourage gawker and companies like it by offsetting some of the risk of taking legal action. Viewed in an unfavorable light, he wants to take revenge on Gawker for invading his privacy and that of his friends. Even in the worst case, I can't say I blame him.