Silicon valley is the place where the brightest kids hatch an idea, start a company with the hope of changing the world and striking it rich.

Over the years Wall Street Journal reporter Alexandra Wolfe befriended Peter Thiel (co-founder of PayPal and serial investor), who introduced Wolfe to the world of silicon valley.

Using the knowledge gained Wolfe documented silicon valley life in ‘Valley of the Gods’ and followed students of Thiels controversial ’20 under 20’ program.

Thiel granted twenty students under the age of twenty $100,000 to ‘stop out’ of school to try and commercialise their great idea. Thiels strong believe is college is not for everyone.

Each student had to go through a thorough interview process, with those progressing and winning the $100,000 program who had the most extreme but potentially viable ideas.

Such as 18-year-old John Burnham who wanted to mine asteroids. Burnham couldn’t believe it hadn’t already been done, as the minerals within asteroids are potentially worth billions.

Then there was teen Laura Denning who was seeking radical solutions for extending human life. She had already learned when the gonads were cut off worms, they lived 60% longer.

Wolfe’s story followed three of these teens through their mentorship by the boffins with-in silicon valley, including discovering how they date, dress and live, which is very eye opening.

It’s a bonkers lifestyle that these silicon valley boffins lead, but it seems to work for them and allows them to be themselves, which gives them the best chance of being successful.

‘Valley of the Gods’ gets a thumbs up and four stars.

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