Jeff Bezos Has Some Advice For Peter Thiel

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In addition to being the founder and CEO of Amazon.com, Inc. AMZN, Jeff Bezos also owns the Washington Post - one of the largest and most influential news outlets in the country.

Naturally, when Bezos took the stage at the Code Conference on Tuesday, he was asked to offer his opinion on Peter Thiel's controversial battle with Gawker media by financing Hulk Hogan's lawsuit against the media company.

Related Link: Peter Thiel Rehashes Battle With Gawker

Bezos was asked by Re/code's Walt Mossberg if the influential billionaire should be allowed to fund Hogan's lawsuit against Gawker even if his ultimate outcome is to see the destruction and collapse of the media compare.

"The best defense against speech that you don't like about yourself as a public figure is to develop a thick skin," Bezos said. "You can't stop it."

After all, Bezos himself has been on the receiving end of unfavorable media attention, especially when it comes to Amazon's employees and their work environment. He added that anyone doing "anything interested in the world" is bound to receive criticism and if an individual can't handle critics then "don't do anything new or interesting."

"This country has the best free speech protections in the world because of the Constitution but also because of our cultural norms," Bezos added. "You don't want to create any climate of fear when it comes to free speech norms. Beautiful speech doesn't need protection; ugly speech does. If you step back and think about what a great society we have, part of it is we have these cultural norms that allow people to say these ugly things. You should let them say it."

Bottom line, Bezos rehashed a popular quote attributed to Confucius: "Seek revenge and you should dig two graves — one for yourself."

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Posted In: TechMediaCode ConferenceGawker MediaHulk HoganJeff BezosPeter ThielWalt MossbergWashington Poss
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