This Deep Dive explores contrasting visions for the future of society, governance, and technological progress. In his conversation with Ross Douthat, Peter Thiel outlines a provocative worldview: warning of technological stagnation, the creeping threat of a “peace and safety” totalitarian state, and the double-edged role of AI and populism in shaping our trajectory. In stark contrast, the True Representation Model (TRM) advances a bold democratic reform—one where representatives are bound to vote according to the will of a randomly selected group of constituents, directly addressing the growing gap between public opinion and policy. Complementing this vision, recent research on “The Wisdom of Partisan Crowds” shows that social influence, under the right conditions, can enhance accuracy and reduce polarization—challenging longstanding assumptions about the irrationality of democratic participation. Together, these perspectives confront the shortcomings of today’s democratic systems and offer radically different paths forward: from elite-led disruption to grassroots, collective governance.

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