Overcoming stagnation: working outside or within systems? Well, one is likely the abolition of regulated monopolies (think Bell Labs) but the other thing we lost with that is the higher corporate tax. From Monopolies to MoneyI think the refreshing thing for me (unless I misunderstood) is that Graeber agrees with Thiel that monopolies, but only as long as they aren’t rent extracting. I find Graeber’s position more far-ranging than Thiel’s — his commentary captures the Thielian view of competition, but also of debt’s role in promoting stagnation. But Graeber is also more tuned to the need of individuals who aren’t billionaires or as close to Silicon Valley, where networks can promote the eccentrics.