The best wisdom on how to lead your life doesn’t always come from religious leaders or philosophers — some entrepreneurs can do a pretty good job too.
Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies, and an early investor in Facebook, has a unique perspective on finding meaning in life. His philosophy isn’t centered around traditional notions of happiness or fulfillment but on the impact one creates. In a discussion, he had once shared a powerful insight into what makes a life meaningful.
“I think we have meaningful lives when we do things that are important, things that otherwise would not get done,” Thiel had said.
Thiel continued: “So you don’t want to be just a cognitive machine… you don’t want to be just doing something that if you didn’t do it, a thousand other people could take your place.”
He emphasized the importance of unique contribution, something that only you can do. “(If not) for you… (if not) for this venture or the company that you’re working on, this important thing would not get done. That tends to be extremely meaningful, and I think you should always aim for that.”
Thiel’s perspective offers a refreshing antidote to the often-repeated advice of “following your passion.” In a world grappling with automation and artificial intelligence, his words carry particular weight. He implicitly challenges the idea of finding meaning in easily replaceable tasks. If a machine or algorithm can perform your job just as effectively, where does your unique human value lie? Instead of focusing on personal gratification, Thiel suggests seeking meaning in contributing something unique and essential to the world — something that wouldn’t happen if you or your company weren’t around to do it.
This resonates deeply with the current anxieties surrounding technological advancements. As AI continues to disrupt industries and displace workers, many fear becoming mere cogs in a machine. Thiel’s framework suggests a path towards not only surviving but thriving in this changing landscape. It encourages us to identify problems that uniquely require our human ingenuity and creativity to solve, ensuring our continued relevance and purpose. By striving to create something indispensable, we not only achieve personal meaning but also contribute to a richer, more vibrant future. This “but for you” philosophy pushes us beyond mere productivity and toward a deeper, more impactful existence.