GUEST SPEAKER
Peter Thiel 

ISSUES DISCUSSED
Peter Thiel spoke about the basic principles that underlie innovative products and startup firms, using examples from his own experience starting up firms such as Paypal and Palantir. 
He  emphasized the importance of creating a firm or product with characteristics of monopoly, and contrasted that idea with the distinction between monopoly and competition taught in economics. He also spoke more broadly about the future of technology and its impact on economic growth in developed countries. He answered questions about his ideas applied to clean-tech and ed-tech firms. 

Upcoming Events

Thursday, May 28, 2026
Wyoming
Powering The American West: Affordability, Technology, And Policy In The Western Energy Landscape
This year’s State of the West symposium will consider the state of energy in the West, from ensuring affordable energy in the age of AI, to… Shultz Auditorium, George P. Shultz Building
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Lyuba's Hope
Lyuba's Hope
Please join us for an extraordinary screening Lyuba's Hope on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. PT in the Hauck Auditorium, Hoover…
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Ideas-Uncorked_rectangle-template_6-3.jpg
Ideas Uncorked: One Year After Pahalgam
The Hoover Institution in DC hosts Ideas Uncorked: One Year After Pahalgam on Wednesday, June 3 from 5:00–7:00 pm ET. The event will feature Šumit… Hoover Institution in DC
overlay image