I think when Peter Thiel talks about stagnation it’s as much about the vibe of things as it is quantifying metrics of progress. I happen to agree with the idea that the vibe of progress has unilaterally focused on ai and computer technology even though this isn’t the case for metrics (e.g., CRISPR). I think the stagnation vibe has come from a series of issues such as decades of American political gridlock, Europes inability to commit to anything, the rise of the attention economy, the stagnation of Japan, the lack of a competitive focus for American markets (with no Soviet Union to defeat they seemed to have turned to defeating billionaire poverty). This list continues but it’s the confluence of all these things that gives the vibe of stagnation. It seems like there isn’t enough time to focus on anything anymore to actually get excited to drive it forward. Even though this isn’t the case. And there also isn’t the political space to celebrate things. Like it seems like any spacex accomplishment should be followed with the caveat that you don’t like Elon. Another way I think about this is that we live in this post cynicism world where we all have to couch every statement within some framework acknowledging harm to someone somehow. It’s hard to have a vibe of progress when every statement of progress includes an impact statement saying why that progress is harmful.