Don't forget selection bias. There are plenty of ultra-rich people who are not, as far as we know, nutters. We tend to talk about the nutters more precisely bec

Don't forget selection bias. There are plenty of ultra-rich people who are not, as far as we know, nutters. We tend to talk about the nutters more precisely because they are nutters. In the case of Thiel, I think his particular flavor of craziness is key to his success. I believe his paranoia was a major factor in the founding of Palantir.