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They're young (and some live in foreign countries) and in any case probably have no idea what Thiel is really about. I say give them a chance to repent and reh

by vanusa 5y ago

They're young (and some live in foreign countries) and in any case probably have no idea what Thiel is really about. I say give them a chance to repent and rehabilitate. I'd definitely not want to work for a company that takes Thiel's money or has any of his acolytes or close associates on board, though.

version_five 5y ago
> They're young (and some live in foreign countries) I don't think it's fair to assume that startup founders who have applied to a Thiel Fellowship did so because of ignorance (or because they are young or "foreign"). This is an amazing opportunity for many people and highly competitive. I even see an upside to companies automatically being able to filter their hiring for people that don't get hung up on this. If someone won't work for a company because a particular VC funded it, I can imagine there a much higher probability of that person causing trouble wherever they end up
- vanusa 5y ago
  I don't think it's fair to assume that startup founders who have applied to a Thiel Fellowship did so because of ignorance (or because they are young or "foreign"). My assumption is they obviously know he's a "titan of industry" and that's obviously why they applied for the fellowship. They may not know or care about his politics, and (yes, partially due to the fact that the bulk of these events transpired when they were much younger) may not be aware of some of his more loathsome antics. I'm not condemning these people, or saying they're stupid. If anything I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, here. If someone won't work for a company because a particular VC funded it, I can imagine there a much higher probability of that person causing trouble wherever they end up. It's called ethical backbone. It is perfectly acceptable to not want to work for companies that are engaged in any manner of unethical practices. Or for people who are basically unethical and/or toxic. Or for companies they fund. If this kind of stance falls under the rubric of "causing trouble" then well, that's the world you chose to live in.

by vanusa 5y ago

version_five 5y ago

> They're young (and some live in foreign countries) I don't think it's fair to assume that startup founders who have applied to a Thiel Fellowship did so because of ignorance (or because they are young or "foreign"). This is an amazing opportunity for many people and highly competitive. I even see an upside to companies automatically being able to filter their hiring for people that don't get hung up on this. If someone won't work for a company because a particular VC funded it, I can imagine there a much higher probability of that person causing trouble wherever they end up

vanusa 5y ago
I don't think it's fair to assume that startup founders who have applied to a Thiel Fellowship did so because of ignorance (or because they are young or "foreign"). My assumption is they obviously know he's a "titan of industry" and that's obviously why they applied for the fellowship. They may not know or care about his politics, and (yes, partially due to the fact that the bulk of these events transpired when they were much younger) may not be aware of some of his more loathsome antics. I'm not condemning these people, or saying they're stupid. If anything I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, here. If someone won't work for a company because a particular VC funded it, I can imagine there a much higher probability of that person causing trouble wherever they end up. It's called ethical backbone. It is perfectly acceptable to not want to work for companies that are engaged in any manner of unethical practices. Or for people who are basically unethical and/or toxic. Or for companies they fund. If this kind of stance falls under the rubric of "causing trouble" then well, that's the world you chose to live in.