
A Mind-Bending Conversation with Peter Thiel
from Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
by New York Times Opinion
Published: Thu Jun 26 2025
Show Notes
The billionaire Peter Thiel is unimpressed with our pace of innovation. In this episode, he critiques artificial intelligence, longevity science and space travel — and warns that our lack of progress could lead to catastrophic outcomes, including the emergence of the Antichrist.
- - What does stagnation mean in 2025?
- 06:30- Peter Thiel's case for more progress and innovation
- - Does taking more scientific risk include life extension?
- - Peter Thiel's political history
- - Did Trump live up to Thiel's expectations?
- - Does Elon Musk still want to go to Mars?
- - How Thiel defines A.I.
- - Is A.I. Too Modest An Ambition?
- - How will the human race evolve? Should it?
- - Thiel's critique of Silicon Valley
- - Who is the real Antichrist?
(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)
Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com.
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