When Thiel replied that hastening the Antichrist’s arrival is “obviously” not what he thinks he’s doing, Douthat agreed that it was unlikely but pressed, “I’m just interested in how you get to a world willing to submit to permanent authoritarian rule.”

Peter Thiel submit to my rules and I promise you, your entire world will live under permanent authoritarian rule. Your fear of aimless freedom will be permanently quelled, your every worry tranquilized. Just submit to me Peter Thiel and I will make your dreams come true.