
"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg
143 episodes — Page 2 of 3

Ep 90E90: Elites, Institutions, and Trump with Richard Hanania
Richard Hanania joins Erik Torenberg to discuss his upcoming book on elite human capital, the future of American politics, and his evolving views on culture war issues. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/af273f63-9f1b-49e1-8fed-28296237498b —📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess —RECOMMENDED PODCAST: 🎙️Moment of ZenEvery week, Erik Torenberg, Dan Romero, Antonio Garcia Martinez and frequent special guests discuss what's happening in technology, business, politics, and beyond.Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15KYOzvDzAQvqX0z0SpHEJ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moment-of-zen/id1661672738—SPONSORS:📝 Notion offers powerful workflow and automation templates, perfect for streamlining processes and laying the groundwork for AI-driven automation. With Notion AI, you can search across thousands of documents from various platforms, generating highly relevant analysis and content tailored just for you - try it for free at notion.com/upstreampod 🛍️ Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at https://shopify.com/cognitive💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—LINKS:Richard’s newsletter: https://www.richardhanania.com/ —X / TWITTER:@eriktorenberg@RichardHanania@turpentinemedia Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 89E89: Economics as a Science w/ Noah Smith
Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg tackle the shift in economic research from empirical studies to "big think" theories, critically examine Acemoglu's work on institutions and AI's impact on jobs, and debate the future of economics as a science. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/d1548747-43db-4b71-b0a8-af285d3deafd —📰Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess —RECOMMENDED PODCAST:🎙️ECON 102 W/ NOAH SMITHKeeping econ entertaining - Noahpinion author Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg break down business news and politics every week.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1696419056 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6q7Gn5lP8TTtBPuV1NJSGs —SPONSORS:🎙️Dealcraft | Insights from Great NegotiatorsExplore the art of high-stakes negotiations through fascinating stories and practical insights from world-renowned dealmakers and diplomats in Dealcraft: Insights from Great Negotiators, hosted by Harvard Business School professor Jim Sebenius.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NdYGg0SgCwgBNMk7EHnB6 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dealcraft-insights-from-great-negotiators/id1723095052 📝Notion offers powerful workflow and automation templates, perfect for streamlining processes and laying the groundwork for AI-driven automation. With Notion AI, you can search across thousands of documents from various platforms, generating highly relevant analysis and content tailored just for you - try it for free at notion.com/upstreampod 💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—LINKS:Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/ Why Nations Fail: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_Nations_Fail —X / TWITTER:@noahpinion@eriktorenberg@turpentinemedia Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 87E88: The Fertility Apocalypse w/ Samo Burja
This week on Upstream, Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja explore the global demographic crisis, examining plummeting fertility rates worldwide and their potentially catastrophic implications for humanity's future. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/0d2557ac-2da6-4087-b6b4-b55f326b47fd —📰Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess —RECOMMENDED PODCAST: 🎙️ @LivePlayerswithSamoBurja Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg provide analysis of the news and case studies of Live Players, as well as key institutions and technologies that make up the global power landscape.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-players-with-samo-burja-and-erik-torenberg/id1718925188 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1?si=707931ed48da4437 —SPONSORS:🎙️ Dealcraft | Insights from Great Negotiators is the brand new weekly podcast that features interviews with world’s greatest dealmakers and diplomats, including Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, and music industry super-lawyer John Branca, on their most challenging negotiations. Each episode, host Jim Sebenius (Harvard Business School professor and renowned negotiation expert) relates fascinating deal stories and distills useful insights for listeners to apply in their toughest deals and disputes.Subscribe on all platofrms: https://link.chtbl.com/3CG3TbHY?sid=Turpentine📝Notion offers powerful workflow and automation templates, perfect for streamlining processes and laying the groundwork for AI-driven automation. With Notion AI, you can search across thousands of documents from various platforms, generating highly relevant analysis and content tailored just for you - try it for free at notion.com/upstreampod 💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—LINKS:Bismark Analysis: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/Who is Portugal For? by Vasco Queirós: https://www.palladiummag.com/2024/02/23/who-is-portugal-for/The Long Now Foundation: https://longnow.org/ —X / TWITTER:@eriktorenberg@samoburja@turpentinemedia Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 87E87: Embodied Minds and Cognitive Agents with Dr. Michael Levin
In this episode, Dr. Michael Levin, Distinguished Professor of Biology at Tufts University, joins Nathan Labenz of The Cognitive Revolution Podcast to discuss embodied minds, his research into limb regeneration and collective intelligence, cognitive light cones, and much more. Dr. Levin and the Levin Lab work at the intersection of biology, artificial life, bioengineering, synthetic morphology, and cognitive science.Nathan just recorded a second episode with Michael Levin and Leo Pio Lopez here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0PsvToTZVtZkdTemV6ntUk?si=85e4614f079a4fcd —📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess —RECOMMENDED PODCAST: 🎙️The Cognitive Revolution PodcastThe Cognitive Revolution is a podcast about AI where hosts Nathan Labenz and Erik Torenberg interview the builders on the edge of AI and explore the dramatic shift it will unlock over the next decades. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yHyok3M3BjqzR0VB5MSyk?si=7357ec31ac424043 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cognitive-revolution-ai-builders-researchers-and/id1669813431 —SPONSORS:🎙️ Dealcraft | Insights from Great Negotiators is the brand new weekly podcast that features interviews with world’s greatest dealmakers and diplomats, including Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, and music industry super-lawyer John Branca, on their most challenging negotiations. Each episode, host Jim Sebenius (Harvard Business School professor and renowned negotiation expert) relates fascinating deal stories and distills useful insights for listeners to apply in their toughest deals and disputes.Subscribe on all platofrms: https://link.chtbl.com/3CG3TbHY?sid=Turpentine📝 Notion offers powerful workflow and automation templates, perfect for streamlining processes and laying the groundwork for AI-driven automation. With Notion AI, you can search across thousands of documents from various platforms, generating highly relevant analysis and content tailored just for you - try it for free at notion.com/upstreampod 💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—LINKS:The Levin Lab and Dr. Michael Levin’s research: https://drmichaellevin.org/resources/ Dr Michael Levin’s blog: https://thoughtforms.life/about/ Tufts University Faculty Profile: https://as.tufts.edu/biology/people/faculty/michael-levin Michael Levin @ Wyss Institute: https://wyss.harvard.edu/team/associate-faculty/michael-levin-ph-d/ Dr. Levin’s Research on Limb Regeneration: https://news.uchicago.edu/how-bioelectricity-could-regrow-limbs-and-organs —X / TWITTER:@labenz (Nathan)@drmichaellevin (Michael)@CogRev_Podcast@TurpentineMedia—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(04:50) Xenobots, anthrobots and the other creatures created by Mike Levin(08:50) Bioelectric memory rewriting(14:09) Sponsors: Dealcraft | Notion(16:17) The difficulty of conducting simulations, which involve running forward passes to predict and alter electrical patterns(20:38) The concept of backpropagation and mode switching in AI models(23:12) Why humans do not regenerate their limbs(37:10) Sponsor: Squad(38:19) Learning from small and biological systems onto the concept of possible emergence(45:01) The criticality of multiple scale questions and would a single scale?(55:40) The concept of the cognitive light cone(59:34) Advice on habits of mind and suggestions for inspiration on the AI side(1:13:19) Mike's suggested directions for the AI developers(1:23:41) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 86E86: Techno-capitalism with Bryan Johnson
Bryan Johnson joins Antonio Garcia Martinez and Erik Torenberg to discuss the deeper spiritual beliefs behind the "Don't Die" movement in the face of AI and the inadequacy of human clock speed. They cover religions as death cults, long-termism vs engineering your own longevity, and Bryan's recent interview on Tucker Carlson.—🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/—SPONSORS:🎙️ Dealcraft | Insights from Great Negotiators is the brand new weekly podcast that features interviews with world’s greatest dealmakers and diplomats, including Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, and music industry super-lawyer John Branca, on their most challenging negotiations. Each episode, host Jim Sebenius (Harvard Business School professor and renowned negotiation expert) relates fascinating deal stories and distills useful insights for listeners to apply in their toughest deals and disputes.Subscribe on all platofrms: https://link.chtbl.com/3CG3TbHY?sid=Turpentine📝Notion offers powerful workflow and automation templates, perfect for streamlining processes and laying the groundwork for AI-driven automation. With Notion AI, you can search across thousands of documents from various platforms, generating highly relevant analysis and content tailored just for you - try it for free at notion.com/upstreampod 💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—LINKS:Bryan Johnson on Tucker Carlson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr4E0jEjQMM&t=0sBryan Johnson's Blueprint/ Don't Die: https://protocol.bryanjohnson.com/DONT-DIE-by-Zero (Book recommendation) The Postmortal by Drew Magary: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10673576-the-postmortal —X / TWITTER:@bryan_johnson (Bryan)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@agm.eth (Antonio)@moz_podcast (Moment of Zen)@TurpentineMedia—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:44) Bryan Johnson's long-term perspective(02:07) The intersection of technology and longevity(06:31) The concept of the network state(07:59) Sponsors: Dealcraft | Notion(14:38) AI as the steward of knowledge(18:18) Philosophical implications of AI and longevity(35:14) The future of AI and human culture(35:49) Rabbinic rulings and AI(36:10) Sponsor: Squad(37:18) Debating the impact of AI on society(38:40) The speed of change and societal adaptation(40:28) Existential risks and AI(43:23) Human resilience in crisis(44:43) The philosophy of 'Don't Die'(55:21) The role of birth rates in society(57:31) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 85E85: Analyzing Everything with Byrne Hobart and Patrick McKenzie
This week on Upstream, we’re releasing a conversation between Patrick McKenzie and Byrne Hobart where they navigate the compelling terrains of in-app purchases and restaurant economics. They dive into the monetization strategies of video games and the influence of food delivery platforms like DoorDash on pricing and menu designs and explore the bridge between finance, technology, and human behavior through airport currency exchange models and the emerging role of AI in economic data processing.—🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/—SPONSORS:📝Notion offers powerful workflow and automation templates, perfect for streamlining processes and laying the groundwork for AI-driven automation. With Notion AI, you can search across thousands of documents from various platforms, generating highly relevant analysis and content tailored just for you - try it for free at notion.com/upstreampod 💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:🎙️Complex Systems with Patrick McKenziePatrick McKenzie (@patio11) talks to experts who understand the complicated but not unknowable systems we rely on. You might be surprised at how quickly Patrick and his guests can put you in the top 1% of understanding for stock trading, tech hiring, and more.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOH Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/complex-systems-with-patrick-mckenzie-patio11/id1753399812🎙️The Riff with Byrne Hobart and Erik TorenbergInvestor and writer of the popular newsletter The Diff, Byrne Hobart, and co-host Erik Torenberg discuss today’s major inflection points in technology, business, and markets – and help listeners build a diversified portfolio of trends and ideas for the future. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rANlV54GCARLgMOtpkzKt?si=fa34868d46b94584 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-riff-with-byrne-hobart-and-erik-torenberg/id1716646486 —LINKS:Bits About Money: https://www.bitsaboutmoney.com/ The Diff: https://thediff.co/ —X / TWITTER:https://twitter.com/byrnehobart https://twitter.com/patio11 https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia —TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:05) The economics of in-app purchases(04:45) Understanding consumer behavior in gaming(07:52) The role of high spenders in the gaming industry(20:48) Bespoke software and high-end customization(24:14) Sponsors: Notion | Squad(28:04) The evolution of restaurant websites(35:27) The future of delivery apps and restaurant economics(43:39) The economics of portion sizes(45:24) Restaurant groups and concepts(48:44) The role of certainty in dining(49:09) Business meals and social signals(51:18) The evolution of fast food(55:03) The tech cafeteria phenomenon(01:02:43) The power of written records(01:06:31) Exploring ai and memory(01:13:58) The future of search and ai(01:25:10) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 84E84: Let’s Fix Social Media with Jonathan Haidt
In this episode of Upstream, Erik Torenberg sits in with social psychologist Jonathan Haidt to discuss his book, 'The Anxious Generation.' They dive into the severe impact of social media on youth mental health and explore Jonathan's recommendations for smartphone and social media usage among teens. They discuss the broader implications for democracy and the political divide, focusing on how these issues are intertwined with the tech industry. —🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/—SPONSORS:📝Notion offers powerful workflow and automation templates, perfect for streamlining processes and laying the groundwork for AI-driven automation. With Notion AI, you can search across thousands of documents from various platforms, generating highly relevant analysis and content tailored just for you - try it for free at notion.com/upstreampod 💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—LINKS:Jonathan's newsletter: https://www.afterbabel.com/The Anxious Generation website: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/(Book) The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness: https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036 —X / TWITTER:https://twitter.com/JonHaidt https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:07) Evolution of Jonathan's work: from moral psychology to 'The Anxious Generation'(02:21) The impact of social media on teen mental health(04:15) The tragedy of overprotection and underprotection(07:37) Pushback and debates on social media's impact(12:48) The moral panic argument and its flaws(17:48) Sponsors: Notion | Squad(24:34) The role of algorithms and social media dynamics(27:33) Liberal vs. conservative responses to social media(28:47) Exploring After Babel(29:03) The rise of anxiety and depression: a data-driven analysis(29:19) Gender, politics, and mental health: a closer look(31:20) The role of religion and community in mental health(32:00) Parenting styles and their impact on youth(32:39) The political implications of mental health trends(33:21) Smartphone recommendations for a healthier childhood(34:21) The broader impact of smartphones on society(35:02) Schools and the loneliness epidemic(41:08) The role of tech companies in youth well-being(42:27) Addressing criticisms and misconceptions(46:25) The importance of design over content in social media(56:09) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 83E83: How Patty McCord Built Netflix’s Culture
This week on Upstream, former Netflix HR executive Patty McCord sits down with Nolan Church and Kelli Dragovich to dive deep into the creation and impact of Netflix's renowned culture deck, hailed as a pivotal document in Silicon Valley. Patty shares the evolution of the deck over 10 years with Netflix's management team, the challenges of scaling a rapidly growing company, and the importance of building high-performance teams. They discuss the intricacies of leadership, feedback, and the evolving workplace culture, post-pandemic. Patty also offers a candid look at HR's role in nurturing dynamic work environments.—🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/—SPONSORS:Dealcraft | Insights from Great NegotiatorsExplore the art of high-stakes negotiations through fascinating stories and practical insights from world-renowned dealmakers and diplomats in Dealcraft: Insights from Great Negotiators, hosted by Harvard Business School professor Jim Sebenius.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NdYGg0SgCwgBNMk7EHnB6 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dealcraft-insights-from-great-negotiators/id1723095052 Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at Fundrise.com/upstream.Elevate your investment game with Altea by Alts.co. Discover vetted deals in unconventional asset classes, network with captivating individuals, and indulge in exclusive travel experiences. Ready to invest in pro sports teams or film financing? Apply now at www.alts.co/upstream and redefine your investment journey.Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—RECOMMENDED PODCAST:🎙️HR Heretics with Nolan Church and Kelli DragovichWhat will it take to construct the next generation of incredible businesses – and where can people leaders have the most business impact?Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1WML9AfadzaH9WCR4HHqbZ?si=c40b0dd176c64e43 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hr-heretics-how-cpos-chros-founders-and-boards-build/id1712407491 —LINKS:HR Heretics Newsletter: https://hrheretics.substack.com/Netflix Culture Deck: https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/culture-1798664/1798664Powerful by Patty McCord: https://pattymccord.com/book/—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:47)The true story behind Netflix’s culture deck(02:36) High Performance cultures actually take 4-5 years to pull off(05:07) Why releasing the culture deck changed Netflix’s hiring immediately(06:56) What to do when employees are averse to change and delivering effective feedback(13:43) Dealcraft & Fundrise Ads(15:47) Why execs need to get used to short tenures(18:18) If you’re successful your company will change(20:40) Retention and the truth we need to tell employees about career pathing(22:15) How Reed Hastings hired Patty McCord(25:54) How HR officers can get a seat at the table(29:32) The P&L is the most important HR metric(31:26) Are HR leaders getting soft?(33:47) Alts & Squad Ads(35:36) What Patty would tell her younger self(37:16) Why an HR officer is a business leader, not a business partner(39:47) Fixing equal pay and compensation strategy(41:43) Why HR keeps doing stupid stuff and needs to abandon best practices(46:25) What HR can learn from product managers(50:59) Compartmentalization and terminations(53:27) If Patty rewrote her book, she would change the chapter about relationships at work(54:37) Why HR people invite inappropriate therapist-style relationships and why having arguments at work should be normalized(01:02:43) Does Patty miss being in the arena?(01:05:11)The portions of the workforce most impacted right now Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 82E82: America’s Future with Palmer Luckey
This week on Upstream, we revisit a 2023 conversation between Jacob Helberg, Delian Asparouhov, Christian Garrett and Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries and Oculus VR where they discuss the intersection of Silicon Valley and U.S. defense technology. They tackle the challenges of defense tech innovation, the influence of Chinese technology, and the necessity for strategic tech independence. They also covered bio-engineered defense systems, AI-powered military applications, and space militarization, emphasizing the need for strategic autonomy and meritocratic practices in technology.—🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/—SPONSORS:🎙️Dealcraft | Insights from Great NegotiatorsExplore the art of high-stakes negotiations through fascinating stories and practical insights from world-renowned dealmakers and diplomats in Dealcraft: Insights from Great Negotiators, hosted by Harvard Business School professor Jim Sebenius.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NdYGg0SgCwgBNMk7EHnB6 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dealcraft-insights-from-great-negotiators/id1723095052 💡 Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at Fundrise.com/upstream.Elevate your investment game with Altea by Alts.co. Discover vetted deals in unconventional asset classes, network with captivating individuals, and indulge in exclusive travel experiences. Ready to invest in pro sports teams or film financing? Apply now at www.alts.co/upstream and redefine your investment journey.💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—LINKS:The Hill & Valley Forum 2024: https://www.thehillandvalleyforum.com/ Anduril Industries: https://www.anduril.com/ —FOLLOW ON X/TWITTER: @PalmerLuckey@jacobhelberg@zebulgar@CGarrett_15@turpentinemedia—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Episode Preview(02:20) Shifting dynamics between the government and Silicon Valley since Palmer started Anduril Industries(06:40) Biggest factors contributing to new demand for defense technology(08:05) Evolving reaction of tech investors and talent to defense technology(13:16) Working with the U.S. Department of Defense(19:00) Sponsors: Dealcraft | Fundrise(20:12) Exporting strategic technology to China: patents, AI, sensor fusion(23:32) How can more tech companies compete for DoD contracts?(26:01) Lobbying(27:32) Building Anduril Industries on first principles(31:06) Banning Chinese hardware and software (like TikTok)(39:51) Sponsors: Alts | Squad(43:04) Can the US pull off a second Cold War victory with China?(47:24) Immigration reform and supply chain disruption(56:37) Palmer’s picks for the most impactful strategic technology on the horizon(01:09:35) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 81E81: Status, Sacred, and Neglected Truths with Robin Hanson
In this episode of Upstream, Erik Torenberg is joined by economist and futurist Robin Hanson. They dissect the intricacies of human motives, the psychology of status, and the profound impact of self-deception on behavior. Robin shares his revolutionary ideas for reforming academia and his pioneering work on prediction markets and his thoughts on the future of innovation amidst falling fertility rates.—🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/—SPONSORS:💡 Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at Fundrise.com/upstream.Elevate your investment game with Altea by Alts.co. Discover vetted deals in unconventional asset classes, network with captivating individuals, and indulge in exclusive travel experiences. Ready to invest in pro sports teams or film financing? Apply now at www.alts.co/upstream and redefine your investment journey.💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:🎙️ Dealcraft: Insights from Great Negotiators is the brand new weekly podcast that features interviews with world’s greatest dealmakers and diplomats, including Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, and music industry super-lawyer John Branca, on their most challenging negotiations. Each episode, host Jim Sebenius (Harvard Business School professor and renowned negotiation expert) relates fascinating deal stories and distills useful insights for listeners to apply in their toughest deals and disputes.Apple: https://link.chtbl.com/3CG3TbHY?sid=Turpentine🎙️History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj—LINKS:The Elephant in the Brain, Robin Hanson and Kevin Simler https://amzn.asia/d/82WLQX6 Robin Hanson and Agnes Callard’s podcast Minds Almost Meeting https://mindsalmostmeeting.com/ Agnes Callard on Upstream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g2F0e-LZjM —TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(04:25) How Robin developed his theory of the Sacred(07:52)The Sacred binds people together(16:05) Why elites drive innovation(17:43) Sponsor: Dealcraft | Fundrise(19:48) Plebeians, wonks, and plutocrats(36:10) Gossip networks(37:00) Sponsors: Ats | Squad(39:08) Proposal to fix academia(45:31) Falsehoods(01:05:05) Double agents in our minds(01:08:31) What is cringe?(01:12:27) Therapy(01:16:55) How falling fertility will affect innovation(01:23:43) Social change strategies for reviving fertility rates(01:25:05) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 80E80: Financial Plumbing with Patrick McKenzie and Erik Torenberg
In this episode of Upstream, Erik Torenberg interviews Patrick McKenzie (patio11) about the intricacies of the financial system, focusing on banking, money laundering, and regulatory compliance. They discuss several of Patrick’s essays from Bits About Money. Patrick discusses the three stages of money laundering - placement, layering, and integration - and how the financial system has been deputized to act as law enforcement. The conversation touches on the unintended consequences of strict regulations, including their impact on economic growth and financial inclusion.—🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/—SPONSORS:💡 Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at Fundrise.com/upstream.Elevate your investment game with Altea by Alts.co. Discover vetted deals in unconventional asset classes, network with captivating individuals, and indulge in exclusive travel experiences. Ready to invest in pro sports teams or film financing? Apply now at www.alts.co/upstream and redefine your investment journey.💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:🎙️ Dealcraft: Insights from Great Negotiators is the brand new weekly podcast that features interviews with world’s greatest dealmakers and diplomats, including Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, and music industry super-lawyer John Branca, on their most challenging negotiations. Each episode, host Jim Sebenius (Harvard Business School professor and renowned negotiation expert) relates fascinating deal stories and distills useful insights for listeners to apply in their toughest deals and disputes.Apple: https://link.chtbl.com/3CG3TbHY?sid=Turpentine🎙️Complex Systems with Patrick McKenziePatrick McKenzie (@patio11) talks to experts who understand the complicated but not unknowable systems we rely on. You might be surprised at how quickly Patrick and his guests can put you in the top 1% of understanding for stock trading, tech hiring, and more.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOH Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/complex-systems-with-patrick-mckenzie-patio11/id1753399812—LINKS:Patrick’s Newsletter: https://www.bitsaboutmoney.com/Seeing Like a Bank: https://www.bitsaboutmoney.com/archive/seeing-like-a-bank/KYC and AMI: https://www.bitsaboutmoney.com/archive/kyc-and-aml-beyond-the-acronyms/Money Laundering and AML Compliance: https://www.bitsaboutmoney.com/archive/money-laundering-and-aml-compliance/—FOLLOW ON X/TWITTER: @eriktorenberg@patio11@turpentinemedia—TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro(01:02) Discussing 'Seeing Like a State' and big tech(03:10) Big tech's competence and failures(07:20) AI and centralized systems(09:23) Crypto vs. AI: political implications(10:58) Sponsors: Dealcraft | Fundrise(13:03) Banking systems and customer service(14:28) Structural issues in banking(22:41) Future of banking and customer service(25:14) Regulatory risks and compliance in banking(28:21) The harsh realities of financial decisions(29:05) Geopolitical conflicts and financial institutions(29:53) The role of banks in delivering bad news(31:32) Sponsors: Alts | Squad(33:41) Understanding KYC and AML regulations(37:35) Complexities of money laundering(44:42) The burden of compliance on financial institutions(51:14) Balancing financial services and crime interdiction(53:52) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 79E79: How Civilizations Cycle & Collapse | Samo Burja and Rudyard Lynch
This week on Upstream, we’re featuring a discussion between Samo Burja, Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg about the inherent differences between civilizations and their impact on history and politics. They explore the parallels and distinctions between ancient civilizations like Babylon and modern entities like Silicon Valley, the influence of Abrahamic religions, and how societal patterns challenge our current understanding. —🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/—SPONSORS:💡 Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at Fundrise.com/upstream.Get first-party targeting with Brave's private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:🎙️Live PlayersSamo Burja and Erik Torenberg provide analysis of the news and case studies of Live Players, as well as key institutions and technologies that make up the global power landscape.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1?si=01ed191c74264f55 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-players-with-samo-burja-and-erik-torenberg/id1718925188Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivePlayerswithSamoBurja🎙️History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj🎙️This Won't LastEavesdrop on Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg's monthly backchannel. They unpack their hottest takes on the future of tech, business, venture, investing, and politics.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSzApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-wont-last-with-keith-rabois-kevin-ryan-logan/id1765665937YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast—LINKS:Bismark Analysis: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/Whatifalthist YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/Whatifalthist—FOLLOW ON X/TWITTER: @eriktorenberg@samoburja@whatifalthist@turpentinemedia—TIMESTAMPS(00:00) Intro(01:00) A deep dive into civilizational differences(03:06) The influence of Abrahamic religions(07:38) Classical vs. modern western civilization(12:16) The rise and fall of civilizations(16:54) Literacy and its impact on societies(20:25) Sponsors: Fundrise | Brave(22:43) Pre-modern Feminism(27:28) Modern civilization and its roots(36:20) Sponsor: Squad(37:29) Debt slavery and social breakdown(42:58) The future of religion and technology(54:37) Obscure civilizations and their impact(59:21) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 78E78: Fertility, Healthy Humans, and Ending Genetic Disease w/ Noor Siddiqui, CEO of Orchid
Erik Torenberg is joined by Noor Siddiqui, founder and CEO of Orchid, to explore groundbreaking advancements in reproductive technology, especially the world's first whole genome embryo screening. They dive into genome sequencing, IVF, and the ethical implications of these technologies, highlighting their potential to significantly reduce the incidence of major diseases. Noor shares her journey of bringing Orchid's innovative solutions from research to market, along with the importance of polygenic scores and the evolving societal views on reproductive tech. —🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/—SPONSORS:💡 Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at Fundrise.com/upstream.Get first-party targeting with Brave's private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:🎙️This Won't LastEavesdrop on Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg's monthly backchannel. They unpack their hottest takes on the future of tech, business, venture, investing, and politics.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-wont-last-with-keith-rabois-kevin-ryan-logan/id1765665937 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSzYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast🎙️History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj—LINKS:Orchid: https://www.orchidhealth.com/—FOLLOW: X / TWITTER:@noor_siddiqui_ (Noor)@OrchidInc (Orchid)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@upstream__pod@turpentinemedia—TIMESTAMPS(00:00) Intro(01:20) What is Orchid?(04:07) Genome sequencing for embryos: What Orchid has accomplished(06:53) The breakthrough that enabled Orchid's genome sequencing(08:25) The impact and significance of the polygenic risk score(11:48) What is IVF(15:11) Sponsors: Fundrise | Brave(17:22) Concerns and stigmas around reproductive technology(24:19 On the Gattaca future where parents create perfect children(26:02) Moral panic around longevity(28:41) Anything that can improve things can be used in very hostile ways(31:37) What are the norms around having kids going to be 30-40 years from now(35:02) Sponsor: Squad(36:12) Noor's thoughts on declining fertility rates(41:33) Matchmaking and dating(47:38) Is the decline of men a real thing?(49:31) Increasing fertility rates, moving the culture, and the negative effects of fertility collapse(1:06:56) Trying out Orchid and how the test works(1:08:11) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 77E77: Academic Fraud & the Spiritual Quest for Truth | Live Players w/ Samo Burja and Ben Landau-Taylor
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja are joined by Ben Landau-Taylor, a Senior Analyst at Bismarck Analysis. Ben recently published an article in Palladium Magazine about the pervasive problem of fraud in academia. They discussed how fraudulent activities, particularly in medical research, often go undetected due to flawed peer review processes and institutional protectionism. They explore key cases, and possible solutions, including external watchdogs, intellectual authorities and regulatory bodies in maintaining academic integrity.—🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/—SPONSORS:💡 Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at https://fundrise.com/upstream/.Get first-party targeting with Brave's private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:🎙️Live Players with Samo Burja.The "Live Players" podcast is where Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg chart the key individuals shaping our future from first principles.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-players-with-samo-burja-and-erik-torenberg/id1718925188Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1🎙️This Won't Last - Eavesdrop on Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg's monthly backchannel. They unpack their hottest takes on the future of tech, business, venture, investing, and politics.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765665937Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSzYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast🎙️History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj—LINKS:The Academic Culture of Fraud: https://www.palladiummag.com/2024/08/02/the-academic-culture-of-fraud/ Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ Bismarck Analysis: https://www.bismarckanalysis.com/ —TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) Intro(2:22) Ben’s article: "The Academic Culture of Fraud"(4:26) Examples of fraudulent studies and researchers (Sylvain Lesné case)(6:21) Incentives and cultural factors enabling fraud(8:24) Historical context and modern academia(11:36) Scientific fraud and its consequences(13:38) Intellectual authority and legitimacy(19:50) Fundrise & Brave Ads(28:50) External pressure on academia(30:53) Role of journalism and other institutions in exposing academic fraud(33:47) The need for external oversight in academia(34:13) The complex relationship between the government and academia(36:14) Proposals for scientific integrity(39:03) Squad Ad(42:59) Challenges in science and bureaucracy(46:42) Nonprofit solutions for scientific fraud(52:33) Venture capital & scientific integrity(57:12) Bismarck Analysis and its work in strategic research & consulting(1:00:04) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 76E76: "The CEO is Always Responsible” | This Won’t Last w/ Logan Bartlett, Zach Weinberg, Kevin Ryan, and Keith Rabois
This week on Upstream, we’re dropping the first episode of Logan Bartlett, Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, and Zach Weinberg's newest podcast This Won’t Last. The show is an unfiltered backchannel where they unpack the hype cycles in venture, startup culture, and business.In this episode they discuss Paul Graham’s essay "Founder Mode", AI valuations, the state of the venture market, and free speech concerns with Telegram and TikTok.—🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/—RECOMMENDED PODCAST🎙️This Won't Last - Eavesdrop on Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg's monthly backchannel. They unpack their hottest takes on the future of tech, business, venture, investing, and politics.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765665937Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSzYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast—SPONSORS💡 Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at http://fundrise.com/upstream.Get first-party targeting with Brave's private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—LINKSHigh Output Management by Andy Grove https://www.amazon.com/High-Output-Management-Andrew-Grove/dp/0679762884/ Keith Rabois' lecture notes from 2013: How to Operate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fQHLK1aIBs Tesla vs Edison: The Last Days of Night: A Novel by Graham Moore https://www.amazon.com/Last-Days-Night-Novel/dp/0812988922 Disruptive Innovation by Clayton M. Christensen https://hbr.org/2015/12/what-is-disruptive-innovation The Success Equation: Untangling Skill and Luck in Business, Sports, and Investing by Michael J. Mauboussin https://www.amazon.com/Success-Equation-Untangling-Business-Investing/dp/1422184234 Dark Wire by Joseph Cox https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Wire-Incredible-Largest-Operation/dp/1541702697 On railroads: Engines That Move Markets by Alistair Nairn https://www.amazon.com/Engines-That-Markets-Alisdair-Nairn/dp/0857195999/ The Kremlin has entered your chat https://www.wired.com/story/the-kremlin-has-entered-the-chat/The Logan Bartlett Show https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugS0jD5IAdoqzjaNYzns7w—TIMESTAMPS(00:00) Intro(02:20) Show origins(03:34) Kevin comes back from Burning Man(05:17) Paul Graham's Founder Mode, founder mode intuitive Keith, Pierre Lamond anecdote(07:57) Keith's response to kernel of Founder Mode, Andy Grove High Output Management(09:26) Zach asks what's unique about Founder Mode and Keith clarifies(10:10) Manager vs. Founder(13:55) Founder moral authority(15:57) Investing in founder driven CEOs(19:42) OCI | WorkOS Ads(21:57) State of venture markets(24:26) Driverless car future(30:39) Revenue quality in Al valuations(34:55) Squad Ad(37:18) New technology being disruptive or helpful for incumbents(40:01) Al in Biotech(43:03) Al impacting fund AUM(46:48) Al as the transistor(47:39) Hurdle to return Al CapEx(48:49) Unrealized Capital Gains Tax(51:45) Sweden's tax vs Norway and corporation tax rates(59:13) Medicare and Social Security, beneficial tax policies and misleading life expectancy stats(1:05:33) Lina Khan, Antitrust effect on tech industry(1:14:26) Perplexity shocking Google(1:16:48) Pavel Durov and Russia's Influence in Telegram(1:21:04) Not using TikTok & Telegram, risk in capital in Chinese companies(1:26:44) Closing Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 70E75: The Future of AI-Enabled Companies with Omar Shams, CEO of Mutable AI
Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg are joined by Omar Shams, the founder of Mutable AI, for a deep dive into Omar’s great piece, The AI Organization. In this conversation, they explore the potential of AI to transform organizational productivity, the limitations of financial metrics in GDP, and AI's role in political processes and societal structures.This episode was recorded for Turpentine’s show The Riff. Check it out for more like this: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rANlV54GCARLgMOtpkzKt—🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: turpentinenetwork.co—MORE RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:🎙️ This Won't Last - Eavesdrop on Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg's monthly backchannel. They unpack their hottest takes on the future of tech, business, venture, investing, and politics.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765665937Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSzYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast—SPONSORS:Get first-party targeting with Brave's private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—LINKS:Byrne Hobart’s writing: https://thediff.coOmar Sham’s piece: https://blog.mutable.ai/p/the-ai-organization-part-i—FOLLOW ON X:@byrnehobart (Byrne)@smahsramo (Omar)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@turpentinemedia—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:22) Historical context of technological adoption(04:47) The Al Organization(07:15) Economic theories and Al(13:00) Capitalism vs. Communism(17:01) Sponsors: Brave | Squad(19:10) Role of Al in future economies(20:32) Al's impact on company sizes(25:50) Al and political influence(31:27) Effect of Al on legal services(33:35) Complexity of GDP and human preferences(43:36) Future of Work and Al Integration(56:03) Al adoption in various sectors(01:05:39) Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 74E74: Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei Talks Scaling Laws, AI Arms Races, and Radical Abundance
Erik Torenberg and Noah Smith are joined by Dario Amodei, CEO and Co-founder of Anthropic. Dario talks about the economics of AI development, the comparative advantage of AI companies like Anthropic, AI safety, and his stance on California's SB 1047 bill. They also discuss the impacts of AI on global power dynamics, competition between the US and China, and inequality in an AI-powered world.This episode was recorded this week on Turpentine’s show Econ 102. Check it out for more like this: https://open.spotify.com/show/6q7Gn5lP8TTtBPuV1NJSGs?si=8fab4d65ddf5422a—🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: turpentinenetwork.co—MORE RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:🎙️ This Won't Last - Eavesdrop on Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg's monthly backchannel. They unpack their hottest takes on the future of tech, business, venture, investing, and politics.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765665937Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSzYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast—SPONSORS:🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenbergGet first-party targeting with Brave's private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—LINKS:Anthropic: https://www.anthropic.com/Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/—FOLLOW ON X:@noahpinion@eriktorenberg@anthropicAI@turpentinemedia—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(04:23) Dario's intellectual evolution(06:37) Is Google the Bell Labs of Al?(10:07) Economic moats in Al(12:35) Scaling hypothesis and Al's future(17:05) National security and Al(19:04) Leopold Aschenbrenner's essay(20:33) Al's impact on business models(26:30) Noah's big thesis (29:32) Sponsors: Babbel | Brave(31:58) Al arms races?(36:17) Al's impact on labor and skill distribution(40:41) Sponsor: Squad(44:35) Future of Al and a hyperscaling world(41:42) A vision of radical abundance(49:55) Al safety and inequality(54:06) The SB 1047 debate(58:56) Rabbit alignment problem(01:01:25) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 75E73: Brian Armstrong on Crypto in 2024, Politics, and Economic Freedom
Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, joins Erik Torenberg, Dan Romero, and Antonio Garcia Martinez on Moment of Zen in August 2024 to talk about the company's evolution and the broader crypto landscape. Armstrong discusses Coinbase's focus on product development, their efforts in Washington D.C., why he listens to Balaji Srinivasan, and strategies for increasing global crypto adoption.Armstrong also touches on his venture into biotech with New Limit, the changing media landscape, and the future of economic freedom through decentralized technologies.--🔥 Apply to join over 400 Founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj--SPONSORS:Get first-party targeting with Brave's private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenberg💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:🎙️ This Won't Last - Eavesdrop on Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg's monthly backchannel. They unpack their hottest takes on the future of tech, business, venture, investing, and politics.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765665937Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSzYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast--LINKS:Base: https://www.base.org/Coinbase Developer Platform: https://cdp.coinbase.com/New Limit: https://www.newlimit.com/Farcaster: https://www.farcaster.xyz/Stand With Crypto: https://standwithcrypto.org--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:28) Brian's Current Focus Areas at Coinbase(03:10) Coinbase's Move Towards Decentralization(05:09) Coinbase's Approach to Innovation(10:36) Thoughts on Mass Market Crypto Adoption(15:01) Sponsor: Babbel | Brave(17:44) Crypto's Implications Beyond Payments(23:54) Experiences with Crypto Regulation in DC(29:14) Sponsor: Squad (30:42) Coinbase's Marketing Strategy(34:09) Measuring Economic Freedom and Crypto Adoption(43:08) Origins of New Limit Biotech Company(50:12) Challenges of Shifting from Crypto to Biotech(52:58) Reflections on Dan Romero's Contributions to Coinbase(55:18) Thoughts on Balaji Srinivasan(56:34) Balaji's Insights on Media Landscape(59:24) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 72E72: Eoghan McCabe on San Francisco, Tech Leadership, and Optimistic Media
In this episode of Upstream, Erik Torenberg sits down with Eoghan McCabe who opens up about his journey entering Silicon Valley, leading Intercom, shifting company culture, and becoming politically engaged. This episode offers a frank look at the complexities of building and scaling a tech company, coming back from personal and professional defeat, and what it will take — politically — to empower the next generation of techno-optimist builders.—🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj—RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:🎙️ This Won't Last - Eavesdrop on Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg's monthly backchannel. They unpack their hottest takes on the future of tech, business, venture, investing, and politics.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765665937Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSzYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast—SPONSORS:Get first-party targeting with Brave's private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenberg💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.🛠️ Building an enterprise-ready SaaS app? WorkOS has got you covered with easy-to-integrate APIs for SAML, SCIM, and more. Join top startups like Vercel, Perplexity, Jasper & Webflow in powering your app with WorkOS. Enjoy a free tier for up to 1M users! Start now at https://bit.ly/WorkOS-TCR —FOLLOW ON X:@eriktorenberg@eoghan—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:48) San Francisco's tech scene (02:11) Moving to San Francisco(03:32) Challenges and changes in San Francisco (06:57) Political dynamics and tech's role (11:43) Sponsors: WorkOS | Brave(14:08) Intercom's journey and leadership challenges (20:02) Reinventing Intercom(22:10) Resetting company culture and values(24:49) Implementing performance management systems(28:33) Sponsors: Babbel | Squad(30:54) Dealing with setbacks and personal growth(32:49) The importance of therapy and self-care(35:55) Reflections on failure and growth(38:58) Eoghan's journey from apolitical to politically engaged(40:45) Views on capitalism, freedom, and the Western world(48:11) Navigating political discussions in the tech industry(50:27) Eoghan’s Vision for more positive tech media(51:02) Importance of inspiring young builders and innovators(53:16) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 71E71: Marc Andreessen on Higher Education and Tech Culture
In this episode of Upstream, we’re releasing an interview from 2021 with Marc Andreessen, Sriram Krishnan, and Aarthi Ramamurthy. They discuss the higher education system's inefficiencies, high costs and lack of competition, and explore innovative education models including cohort-based learning and unbundling education components. Marc shares personal anecdotes about his college experience and emphasizes the need for tech and internet-based educational models to educational models to evolve and meet global demand.🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj—RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:🎙️ This Won't Last - Eavesdrop on Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg's monthly backchannel. They unpack their hottest takes on the future of tech, business, venture, investing, and politics.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765665937Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSzYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast—SPONSORS:💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenbergGet first-party targeting with Brave's private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(02:37) Erik on lifelong learning(04:48) Challenges facing traditional higher education(08:34) Marc Andreessen’s college experience(12:31) Sponsors: Squad | Babbel | Brave(16:20) Alternative education models(18:57) MOOCs, Lambda and lifelong education(25:52) Indian education system vs. US education system(31:15) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 70E70: Katherine Boyle on Religion, Journalism, and Polarization
In this episode of Upstream, we revisit a 2020 conversation with Erik Torenberg and Katherine Boyle exploring the intersection of religion and media in this tech-driven world. Katherine discusses her Washington Post article on how San Francisco's tech advancements have largely bypassed religious institutions. They explore the factors behind this gap, the emergence of digital faith, and the decline of traditional religious affiliations. Katherine also shares her insights on the media landscape discussing the challenges and opportunities in subscription-based journalism and the potential for startups in both media and religion. 🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj—RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:🎙️1 to 100 | Hypergrowth Companies Worth JoiningEvery week we sit down with the founder of a hyper-growth company you should consider joining. Our goal is to give you the inside story behind breakout, early stage companies potentially worth betting your career on. This season, discover how the founders of Modal Labs, Clay, Mercor, and more built their products, cultures, and companies.Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/70NOWtWDY995C8qDqojxGwApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1762756034-🎙️ History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj—SPONSORS:💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenbergGet first-party targeting with Brave's private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.—LINKS:Silicon Valley has digitized everything but religion. Will that change? - https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/05/21/silicon-valley-has-digitized-everything-religion-will-that-change/Pew Research Forum : https://www.pewresearch.org/In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace - https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/ —TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:26) Katherine’s Article on the Washington Post About Religion and Technology(02:47) The Decline of Religious Affiliation in the US and Europe(04:27) Polarization and Secularization(07:55) Media's Role in Polarization(11:26) SPONSORS: Squad | Babbel(14:12) The New York Times Controversy(21:56) The Role of Independent Journalists(23:41) The Fairness Doctrine and Media Fragmentation(27:25) Subscription Models in Journalism(32:11) The Evolution of Media(35:10) SPONSOR: Brave(45:59) Corporations and Political Stances(49:32) Billionaires and Media Ownership(51:34) Investing in Media and Religion Startups(55:19) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 71E69: Balaji Srinivasan on the Rise of the Tech Counter Elites
Last week, Erik Torenberg sat down with Balaji Srinivasan to discuss the vibe shift to the right in Silicon Valley, particularly after the attempted assassination of President Trump. This episode originally aired in Moment of Zen. They discuss the rising tensions between tech counter-elites and political incumbents, and why tech is at odds with "America First". They explore tech's influence on politics, ideological shifts, and international dynamics affecting global economics and policies. Balaji also provides a critical analysis of movements like the January 6th riots and contemplates the future of democracy.🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj--RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:🎙️1 to 100 | Hypergrowth Companies Worth JoiningEvery week we sit down with the founder of a hyper-growth company you should consider joining. Our goal is to give you the inside story behind breakout, early stage companies potentially worth betting your career on. This season, discover how the founders of Modal Labs, Clay, Mercor, and more built their products, cultures, and companies.Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/70NOWtWDY995C8qDqojxGwApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1762756034-🎙️ History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj—SPONSORS:💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.🐝 Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. A special offer is at https://beehiiv.com: use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenbergGet first-party targeting with Brave's private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:29) The Rise of the Tech Counter Elite(06:15) Global Influence and the Tech Center(12:49) The Tech Counter Elite vs. Traditional Elites(19:10) Democratic Party's Internal Struggles(27:13) SPONSORS: Squad | beehiiv(37:31) Conspiracy Theories and Political Divides(39:19) SPONSORS: Babbel | Brave(41:51) Meta Organisms and Human Coordination(51:26) Media Manipulation and Political Narratives(01:10:56) Economic and Political Shifts(01:37:04) Economic Collapse and Future Predictions(01:40:05) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 68E68: Tyler Cowen on Talent, the Importance of Stamina, and Predicting Success
This week on Upstream, we’re releasing a fascinating discussion with economist, professor, and bestselling author Tyler Cowen about how to find talented people. This was recorded in 2022 around the launch of his book 'Talent: How to Identify Energizers, Creatives, and Winners Around the World' co-authored with Daniel Gross. Tyler and Erik discuss strategies for assessing raw talent, recognizing late bloomers, and fostering an environment conducive to high achievers. They also cover the importance of understanding founder compatibility, building strong peer groups, and the role of mentorship in talent development.🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj--RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:🎙️1 to 100 | Hypergrowth Companies Worth JoiningEvery week we sit down with the founder of a hyper-growth company you should consider joining. Our goal is to give you the inside story behind breakout, early stage companies potentially worth betting your career on. This season, discover how the founders of Modal Labs, Clay, Mercor, and more built their products, cultures, and companies.Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/70NOWtWDY995C8qDqojxGwApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1762756034-🎙️ History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj–SPONSORS:💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.🐝 Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. A special offer is at https://beehiiv.com: use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenbergGet first-party targeting with Brave's private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.—LINKS:Talent: How to Identify Energizers, Creatives, and Winners Around the World - https://www.amazon.com/Talent-Identify-Energizers-Creatives-Winners/dp/1250275814—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro (02:07) The Genesis of Tyler Cowen's Book 'Talent'(06:33) The Role of Peer Endorsement(11:01) Super Fans and High Achievers(13:19) Impact of Public Fame and Risk Aversion Among Young People (15:12) SPONSORS: Squad | beehiiv(17:40) Choosing the Right Hierarchies(20:12) Scaling Apprenticeships(29:33) Commercial Break: Babbel Language Learning(30:58) SPONSORS: Babbel | Brave(31:57) Wishlist Topics for Future Research(40:42) Organizing the World's Ambition(47:56) The Future of Emergent Ventures(51:14) Closing Thoughts and Future Projects Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 67E67: A Deep Dive on René Girard with David Gornoski
This week on Upstream, we're releasing a 2019 interview with David Gornoski and Erik Torenberg on the Village Global podcast, offering a deep dive into René Girard's Mimetic Theory, exploring its far-reaching societal impacts and surprising connections to ancient rituals and myths. They unpack the concept of mimetic desire and the profound influence of Christianity on society, exploring how the anthropological impact of Jesus could transform personal and socio-political conflicts. David also provides a unique perspective on the evolution of ancient sacrifices and mythologies, juxtaposing them with modern societal issues.🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj--RECOMMENDED PODCAST:🎙️ Second Opinion - A new podcast for health-tech insiders from Christina Farr of the Second Opinion newsletter. Join Christina Farr, Luba Greenwood, and Ash Zenooz every week as they challenge industry experts with tough questions about the best bets in health-tech.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1759267211Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A8NwQE976s32zdBbZw6bv-🎙️ History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj–SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | BABBEL | SQUAD🐝 Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. A special offer is at https://beehiiv.com: use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenberg💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:51) René Girard and His Impact(03:44) The Political Implications of Girard's Ideas(06:39) Understanding Mimetic Desire(13:54) SPONSORS: Babbel | Beehiiv(16:32) Scapegoating in Society(25:43) SPONSOR: Squad(27:06) Modern Examples of Scapegoating(43:01) The Inhumane System and Hidden Scapegoats(44:26) The Power of Mercy-Driven Solutions(45:57) Mimetic Rivalry and Political Power(49:29) Challenging Groupthink in Science and Healthcare(53:08) The Role of Jesus in Social Justice and Politics(56:04) The Consequences of Sacrificial Politics(01:08:39) Anthropology, Religion, and Future Technologies(01:13:12) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 68E66: Noah Smith on 2024 Election Strategy, American Civil Service, and Cash Benefits
In this week’s episode of Upstream, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discuss America's future. They cover the 2024 presidential race, the Chevron ruling from the Supreme Court, and the polarization of the education system. Noah and Erik also discuss where wokeness goes from here, and the potential outcomes of integrating more conservatives into the civil service through initiatives like Project 2025. Noah also debunks the deep state myth and discusses the real issues surrounding Biden's age, questioning the influence of "political handlers" and the reality of a "deep state." 🐝 Head to https://beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj--RECOMMENDED PODCAST:🎙️ Second Opinion - A new podcast for health-tech insiders from Christina Farr of the Second Opinion newsletter. Join Christina Farr, Luba Greenwood, and Ash Zenooz every week as they challenge industry experts with tough questions about the best bets in health-tech.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1759267211Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A8NwQE976s32zdBbZw6bv-🎙️ History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj--SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | BABBEL | SQUAD🐝 Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. A special offer is at https://beehiiv.com: use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenberg💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview(01:09) 4th of July Celebrations and Mailbag Questions(01:51) Debate Reflections: Trump vs. Biden(02:35) Biden's Age and Democratic Dilemma(03:09) Kamala Harris: The Successor Debate(04:12) Michelle Obama: A Potential Candidate?(07:06) The Deep State: Myth or Reality?(11:30) Bernie Sanders and the DNC(13:58) Chevron Ruling and Its Implications(19:10) Sponsor: beehiiv | Babbel(22:44) Project 2025 and Civil Service Polarization(30:34) Reflecting on the Floyd Protests(31:57) The Impact of Trump's Presidency(35:05) Sponsors: Squad (36:29) Debating the Administrative State(38:31) Challenges in the Education System(46:56) Redistribution and Class in America(53:37) The Future of UBI and Cash Benefits(57:51) Wrap--FOLLOW ON X:https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)https://twitter.com/Noahpinion (Noah)https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod (Upstream)https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 65E65: Bret Weinstein on Evolutionary Biology, Markets, Moral Progress, and More
This week on Upstream, we’re airing an interview with evolutionary biologist Bret Weinstein from 2020, originally from the Village Global podcast. They discuss Weinstein's work on evolutionary trade-offs, the intersection of markets and moral progress, as well as future governance. beehiiv: Head to https://beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj--RECOMMENDED PODCAST:🎙️ Second Opinion - A new podcast for health-tech insiders from Christina Farr of the Second Opinion newsletter. Join Christina Farr, Luba Greenwood, and Ash Zenooz every week as they challenge industry experts with tough questions about the best bets in health-tech.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1759267211Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A8NwQE976s32zdBbZw6bv-🎙️ History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj-SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | BABBEL | SQUAD🐝 Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. A special offer is at https://beehiiv.com: use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenberg💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:27) Bret Weinstein's Background and Career(04:37) The Concept of Trade-Offs in Evolution(06:21) Implications of Evolutionary Trade-Offs(10:03) The Fourth Frontier and Human History(11:05) Understanding Evolutionary Rules and Their Broader Impact(16:08) The Lek Paradox and Biological Puzzles(18:52) Sponsor: Babbel | beehiiv(23:41) Market Dynamics and Economic Trade-Offs(32:40) Sponsor: Squad(37:53) The Metaphor of Fitness Landscapes in Evolutionary Biology(38:47) Civilization's Trade-offs and Sustainability(39:37) The Concept of Game B(41:56) Revolutionary Change Without Revolution(44:03) The Role of Technology in Civilization(45:44) Exploring Game B Examples(47:39) Challenges and Opportunities for Game B(50:30) Moral Progress(57:00) Shamans vs. Priests and the Importance of Valley Crossing(01:01:20) Human Adaptation and Evolution(01:04:39) The Role of Jealousy and Evolutionary Instincts(01:06:08) Debates with Prominent Thinkers(01:11:42) Evolutionary Biology and the Future of Governance(01:14:13) Wrap--FOLLOW ON X:https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)https://twitter.com/BretWeinstein (Bret)https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod (Upstream)https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 66E64: Richard Hanania on Trump's Genius, Antisemitism, and Election Predictions
In this episode of Upstream, Erik Torenberg and Richard Hanania discuss the surprising support for Donald Trump within Silicon Valley, contrasting it with earlier elections. They also explore reasons behind this shift, such as anti-wokeness sentiments, dissatisfaction with left economic policies, and the Democrats' anti-tech stance. beehiiv: Head to https://beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.The conversation also covers broader societal issues like the impact of religion, American Jews' political tendencies, and the strengths and weaknesses of America's socio-economic systems, and reflects on Elon Musk's political involvement and the rise of conspiratorial thinking in modern politics.We’re publishing this conversation across Moment of Zen and Upstream since the themes are highly relevant to both shows.🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj--RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Patrick McKenzie (@patio11) talks to experts who understand the complicated but not unknowable systems we rely on. You might be surprised at how quickly Patrick and his guests can put you in the top 1% of understanding for stock trading, tech hiring, and more.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOHApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812-🎙️ History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj--SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | BABBEL | SQUAD🐝 Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. A special offer is at https://beehiiv.com: use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenberg💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:19) Silicon Valley's Surprising Support for Trump(01:20) Silicon Valley's Shift in Political Climate(03:32) Richard's Political Evolution and Disillusionment(04:27) Conservative and Liberal Ideologies(09:03) Human Capital and Political Dynamics(14:08) Sponsor: Squad | beehiiv | Babbel(14:16) Religion's Role in Society(35:25) Historical Context of Anti-Semitism(36:12) Comparing Prejudices: Gypsies, Asians, and Religious Differences(36:58) Rationalism vs. Conflict Theory(38:00) The Role of Villainy in Political Narratives(39:16) Conspiracies and Enlightenment Values(41:30) The Impact of Conspiratorial Thinking(49:43) Jewish Intellectual Influence(52:09) DEI and Meritocracy in Silicon Valley(53:56) America's Resilience and Future Challenges(56:07) Immigration Policies: US vs. Europe(1:01:44) Future of Political Parties Post-Biden and Trump(1:07:27) Wrap--FOLLOW ON X:https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)https://twitter.com/RichardHanania (Richard)https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod (Upstream)https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 63E63: Balaji Srinivasan and Glen Weyl on Decentralized Governance, Politics, and History
In 2019 Erik Torenberg sat down with Balaji Srinivasan and Glen Weyl to talk about the future of a decentralized world. They cover decentralized governance, politics, voting, and more. This conversation was recorded orginally for Village Global's Venture Stories.🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj--RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Patrick McKenzie (@patio11) talks to experts who understand the complicated but not unknowable systems we rely on. You might be surprised at how quickly Patrick and his guests can put you in the top 1% of understanding for stock trading, tech hiring, and more.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOHApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812-🎙️ History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj--SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | BABBEL | SQUAD🐝 Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. Go to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at babbel.com/torenberg💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--Listen to the 10X Capital Podcast: https://10xcapitalpodcast.com/--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:53) RadicalxChange(02:20) Common ground and divergences(05:19) Role of choice and community(06:59) Voice vs. Exit(10:06) Future of governance and identity(16:52) Sponsor: Beehiiv | Babbel | Squad(19:25) Complexity of social systems(25:20) Social inequality and drug war(39:40) Technocracy and its implications(46:44) Economic models and social relations(56:34) Changes on property law(56:41) Quadratic voting and finance(01:01:21) Limitations of technology in the next century(01:04:19) Future of nation states and governance(01:10:53) Technocrats, empires, and incentives(01:15:07) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 62E62: Mike Solana on Thinking Freely and What Tech Means for Culture
In 2020 Erik Torenberg sat down with Mike Solana, then VP at Founders Fund (now the Editor In Chief of Pirate Wires) to go deeper into his commitment to controversial ideas and freedom. He discusses the dynamics of America's culture wars, debating freedom vs. equality, the resurgence of Marxism, and the roots of anti-American sentiment. This conversation was recorded orginally for Village Global's Venture Stories.🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj--RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Patrick McKenzie (@patio11) talks to experts who understand the complicated but not unknowable systems we rely on. You might be surprised at how quickly Patrick and his guests can put you in the top 1% of understanding for stock trading, tech hiring, and more.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOHApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812-🎙️ History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj--SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | SQUAD🐝 Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. Go to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--FOLLOW ON X:@eriktorenberg (Erik)@micsolana (Mike)@foundersfund@TurpentineMedia--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:46) The Ethos of Founders Fund(01:37) Mike's Journey to Founders Fund(01:59) The Seasteading Institute and Anarcho-Capitalism(03:19) Evolution of Founders Fund(06:39) Hereticon: A Conference for Unorthodox Thinkers(11:46) Anatomy of Next: A Vision for the Future(13:42) Perception of Silicon Valley and Media(16:10) Sponsor: Beehiiv | Squad(18:44) Capitalism, Freedom, and Individualism(26:00) Technology and Society(33:39) A Journey Through Political Ideologies(34:50) The Power of Belief and Free Market Capitalism(36:06) Debating Nuclear Energy and Environmental Concerns(39:22) Rebranding Longevity and the Death Meme(40:43) The Future of AR, VR, and AI(45:21) Exploring Space and the UFO Phenomenon(50:13) Silicon Valley's Political Influence and Local Governance(56:02) Envisioning a Post-Scarcity World(58:25) The Culture of Trauma and Personal Responsibility(1:01:22) The Culture War and Anti-American Sentiment(1:09:10) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 61E61: Noah Smith on Wokeness, Right Wing Muckrakers, and Class vs Identity
Todays episode features a conversation between Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discussing the recent angry posts on X from David Austin Walsh, a history postdoc at Yale, and what this controversy says about elite overproduction in the US. They also cover the the rise of right-wing muckrakers, discuss what the conservative movement needs now, and who they consider the smartest thinkers today are — on the left and the right.🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj--RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Econ 102 with Noah Smith Every week, Noah Smith, economist and Noahpinion writer break down current events through the lens of economics — while keeping econ entertaining.Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6q7Gn5lP8TTtBPuV1NJSGsApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/econ-102-with-noah-smith-and-erik-torenberg/id1696419056--SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | SQUAD🐝 Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. Go to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--TIMESTAMPS(00:00) Intro(01:05) Twitter Controversy: David Austin Walsh(04:30) Elite Overproduction and Academia(08:29) Affirmative Action and Racial Disparities(14:32) Sponsor: Beehiiv | Squad(17:07) Elite overproduction’s implications for politics and academia(22:29) Right-Wing muckrakers and progressive institutions(32:12) Misconceptions about Barack Obama(32:50) Mike Solana, Christopher Rufo, and other voices on the Right(35:33) Evolution of progressive and conservative labels(40:20) American Roots of Wokeness(56:53) The Future of Conservatism(1:01:41) WrapThis show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 60E60: AI in the Techno-Economic War with China with Vinod Khosla, Todd Young, and Jacob Helberg
In this episode of Upstream, we're publishing a session recorded live at The Hill & Valley Forum in May 2024 hosted by Jacob Helberg, and featuring Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures, and Senator Todd Young (R-IN). Khosla and Young dive straight into the most pressing national security concerns regarding the threat of AI. In this techno-economic race, the winner will have economic and military control over Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America. AI is a technology capable of that much influence is described as being comparable to an atomic bomb. If AI is viewed through the lens of an atomic bomb, should the U.S. be forming a new Manhattan Project? Would you open source the Manhattan Project?🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqjThe HIll & Valley Podcast is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Catch all the 2024 Forum sessions and subscribe:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4miApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley/id1692653857--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected]: BEEHIIV |. SQUADHead to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 Head to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--TIMESTAMPS(00:00) The Urgency of AI in the Techno-Economic War(01:13) Exploring AI's Role in Modern Warfare and Global Influence(08:33) Sponsor: Beehiiv | Squad(11:34) The Global AI Supply Chain and National Security Concerns(17:23) Open Source vs. Closed Model Debate in AI Development(22:26) Closing Remarks Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 59E59: Bryan Caplan on Housing Regulation, Fertility, and Crime
This week on Upstream, Erik sits down with Bryan Caplan to discuss his new book about housing regulation. The conversation touches on political economy, fertility, crime, and more. beehiiv: Head to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected] PODCAST: The AI Daily Brief If you’re looking for an edge to stay up to date on everything AI, subscribe to Nathaniel Whittemore's AI Daily Brief which delivers tight episodes covering all things AI from legislation to new technologies to the philosophical debates around generalized intelligence. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7gKwwMLFLc6RmjmRpbMtEOApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ai-daily-brief-formerly-the-ai-breakdown/id1680633614--SPONSORS: BEEHIIVHead to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 Head to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:36) Why write "Build, Baby, Build"?(01:51) The value of graphic novels(05:00) Potential benefits of housing deregulation(11:50) Gentrification(15:20) Sponsor: Beehiiv(16:25) The best case in favor of housing regulation(21:40) Fertility rates(29:00) The political economy of housing regulation(35:59) The mechanics of housing regulation(45:51) Challenges of communicating in politics(51:22) Economic thought over time(56:13) Differences in beliefs between generations(58:48) Crime prevention(1:03:00) Bryan's next book(1:08:05) Wrap--LINKS:Bryan's book: https://www.amazon.com/Build-Baby-Science-Housing-Regulation/dp/1952223415Bryan's Blog: https://www.betonit.ai/--X / TWITTER:https://x.com/bryan_caplan (Bryan)https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod (Upstream)https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)--For guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 58E58: Jonathan Haidt on Finally Fixing Social Media and Picking All the Cherries
This week on Upstream, Erik sits down with Jonathan Haidt to discuss his book The Anxious generation. The conversation covers the effects of social media on teen mental health, culture, politics, education, and more. beehiiv: Head to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected] PODCAST: The AI Daily Brief If you’re looking for an edge to stay up to date on everything AI, subscribe to Nathaniel Whittemore's AI Daily Brief which delivers tight episodes covering all things AI from legislation to new technologies to the philosophical debates around generalized intelligence. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7gKwwMLFLc6RmjmRpbMtEOApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ai-daily-brief-formerly-the-ai-breakdown/id1680633614--SPONSORS: BEEHIIVHead to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 Head to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:13) Evolution of Jonathan's Work: From Moral Psychology to 'The Anxious Generation'(01:14) The Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health(02:50) Exploring the Tragedy of the Modern Childhood(07:29) Addressing the Criticism and Pushback(12:08) The Unprecedented Effects of Social Media on Society(19:37) Adapting to Technological Changes and the Future of Childhood(20:20) The Dire State of Democracy in the Digital Age(27:01) How Technology Affects Liberals and Conservatives Differently(28:20) Unveiling the Research: The Rise of Anxiety and Depression(28:48) Breaking Down the Data: Gender, Politics, and Mental Health(30:48) The Protective Power of Religion and Community(31:32) Parenting Styles and Moral Values(32:07) Challenges for Progressive Organizations and the Democratic Party(32:42) Recommendations for a Healthier Childhood in the Digital Age(33:50) Addressing the Broader Issues Beyond Smartphones(34:35) The Role of Schools in Children's Mental Health(36:33) A Call for Intentional Community Building(37:34) Navigating the Public Health Crisis with Apolitical Solutions(40:41) Engaging with the Tech Industry: Critiques and Clarifications(41:01) The Debate on Content Moderation and the Need for Structural Changes(56:27) Wrap--X / TWITTER:https://twitter.com/JonHaidt (Jonathan)https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod (Upstream)https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)--For guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 57E57: Noah Smith Analyzes Economies: USA, China, Japan, Russia, India, Korea, & More
This week on Upstream, we're releasing an episode from Erik's podcast with Noah Smith, Econ 102. Noah breaks down the economies of the USA, China, Japan, Russia, India, Korea, and more. Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.For more like this, watch part 2 on Econ 102:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/52nuQvRmuTT7S6ilJoXDYr?si=bf6722824bd64bcfApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/analyzing-economies-england-france-germany-poland-turkey/id1696419056?i=1000650616668--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected] PODCAST: The AI Daily Brief If you’re looking for an edge to stay up to date on everything AI, subscribe to Nathaniel Whittemore's AI Daily Brief which delivers tight episodes covering all things AI from legislation to new technologies to the philosophical debates around generalized intelligence. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7gKwwMLFLc6RmjmRpbMtEOApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ai-daily-brief-formerly-the-ai-breakdown/id1680633614--SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | SQUADHead to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 Head to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--Recommended Podcast: Company BreakdownsEach episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,SpotifyApple--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:33) U.S. Economy: Trends and Concerns(08:31) Transition to China Economy: Massive Property Bust(15:58) Sponsor: beehiiv | Squad(22:06) Segue to Japan Economy: Key Hub of the Electronics Manufacturing(30:41) Korea Economic Struggles(33:35) South Korea's Technological Capabilities and International Relations(34:44) Exploring Taiwan's Economy and Challenges(36:52) Indonesia's Manufacturing Shift(38:25) Vietnam's Economic Strategy and Development Needs(41:01) India's Poverty Reduction and Infrastructure Investments(44:56) Pakistan Economic Mismanagement(49:08) Philippines: Underrated Investment Destination(50:03) Transition to Australia: The Progressive Utopia(52:32) Russia Economy at War(60:29) Wrap--X / TWITTER:https://twitter.com/Noahpinion (Noah)https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod (Upstream)https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)--For guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 56E56: Brian Chau on Spreading Informed AI Optimism
This week on Upstream, Nathan Labenz of The Cognitive Revolution podcast and Brian Chau, a machine learning engineer who recently founded the Alliance for the Future, talk about Brian's efforts in Washington, D.C. to influence AI policy based on informed AI optimism. After their conversation, Nathan and Erik chat about the AI landscape. Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected] PODCAST: The AI Daily Brief If you’re looking for an edge to stay up to date on everything AI, subscribe to Nathaniel Whittemore's AI Daily Brief which delivers tight episodes covering all things AI from legislation to new technologies to the philosophical debates around generalized intelligence. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7gKwwMLFLc6RmjmRpbMtEOApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ai-daily-brief-formerly-the-ai-breakdown/id1680633614--SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | SQUADHead to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 Head to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--Recommended Podcast: Company BreakdownsEach episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,SpotifyApple--Timestamps(00:00) Intro(00:42) Unpacking AI Optimism and Policy Perspectives(01:22) Exploring the Breadth of AI and Its Economic Implications(05:23) Debunking AI Doomsday Predictions(14:56) Sponsors: BeeHiiv | Squad(25:53) Navigating the Near-Term AI Landscape and Government Modernization(41:30) Exploring AI Regulation and Executive Orders(43:55) The Impact of AI on Startups and Economic Viability(45:36) AI Development and Regulatory Challenges(48:40) The Debate on AI Accountability and Regulation(59:02) Open Sourcing AI Models: Risks and Regulations(1:07:06) The Future of AI: Ethical, Social, and Regulatory Considerations(1:14:41) Reflections on AI Safety and the Path Forward--Alliance for the Future: https://www.affuture.org/Brian's article on research progress in AI: https://www.affuture.org/research/3-diminishing/--X / TWITTER:https://twitter.com/psychosort (Brian)https://twitter.com/labenz (Nathan)https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod (Upstream)https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)--For guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 55E55: Why China's Universities Will Become Harvard
This week on Upstream, we’re releasing an episode from Turpentine’s show Live Players with Samo Burja. Erik and Samo discuss China’s universities and the future of China’s elites. Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected] PODCAST: The AI Daily Brief If you’re looking for an edge to stay up to date on everything AI, subscribe to Nathaniel Whittemore's AI Daily Brief which delivers tight episodes covering all things AI from legislation to new technologies to the philosophical debates around generalized intelligence. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7gKwwMLFLc6RmjmRpbMtEOApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ai-daily-brief-formerly-the-ai-breakdown/id1680633614--SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | SQUADHead to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--Recommended Podcast: Company BreakdownsEach episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,SpotifyApple--X / TWITTER:https://twitter.com/SamoBurja (Samo)https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod (Upstream)https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00:00) - Episode Preview(00:00:57) - Universities as an example of US-China parallel evolution(00:02:53) - Academia during The Cultural Revolution(00:04:00) - The elite Chinese universities(00:06:00) - Signaling theory of education(00:06:30) - What the increase in educated leaders means for China’s ruling class(00:07:52) - China as America’s mirror(00:08:30) - China’s “woke”(00:11:29) - How Xi wants China to not fail in the same way the Soviets did(00:12:50) - Crackdown on university students(00:14:46) - Sponsor: Squad | Turpentine(00:15:00) - Rise of student activism in the US(00:19:05) - The translation of regional/ethnic inequalities into ideological ones(00:22:30) - The political ideological paradox generates an opportunity to organize young people(00:24:30) - Role of gender in divergent politics and the East Asian “woke”(00:27:12) - Chinese feminism(00:34:58) - The formation of elites in US and China(00:36:40) - Materialist focused education in China vs legal focused education in US(00:39:47) - Printing university degrees is like printing money by devaluing degrees(00:40:19) - Fight over Harvard Extension School(00:42:20) - Will American universities have as much power in the next 10 years as they do now?(00:46:05) - What positive and negative changes will China see in the near future?(00:47:00) - Silicon Valley in China(00:49:09) - The shift in leadership from businessmen to academia in ChinaFor guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 54E54: Naval Ravikant and Balaji Srinivasan on Why History Points to Crypto
This episode was initially recorded before a live audience in 2018. Erik talks with Naval Ravikant and Balaji Srinivasan about the history of money and centralization and why crypto has the potential to fulfill the promise of the internet. Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected] PODCAST: The AI Daily Brief If you’re looking for an edge to stay up to date on everything AI, subscribe to Nathaniel Whittemore's AI Daily Brief which delivers tight episodes covering all things AI from legislation to new technologies to the philosophical debates around generalized intelligence. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7gKwwMLFLc6RmjmRpbMtEOApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ai-daily-brief-formerly-the-ai-breakdown/id1680633614--SPONSOR: BEEHIIV | SQUADHead to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Squad:💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--Recommended Podcast: Company BreakdownsEach episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,SpotifyApple--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:30) Decentralization and Blockchain: A Deep Dive with Naval Ravikant and Balaji Srinivasan(06:22) Personal Journeys into the World of Cryptocurrency(08:27) Debating Bitcoin vs. Blockchain: Perspectives and Predictions(12:22) Sponsors: Squad | Turpentine(14:33) The Social and Economic Implications of Blockchain Technology(19:55) Blockchain Beyond Money: Envisioning Future Applications(22:43) Crypto as a Social Phenomenon: Tribalism and Governance(28:10) Envisioning a Decentralized Future: Microeconomics and Global Impact(31:36) The Irony of Missing Out: Venture Capitalists and Karma(36:02) The Global Impact of Blockchain on Identity and Ownership(36:54) Navigating Regulations in a Decentralized Economy(38:29)The Role of Crypto in Redefining Wealth Distribution(40:05) Balaji and Naval's Vision(46:48) What Do Failure Models Look Like?(51:43) How Blockchain Can Provide New Career Opportunities, Not Just In Silicon Valley(53:33) The Potential and Challenges of Emerging Technologies(54:55) Identity in a Blockchain World(58:23) On Blockchain Intersecting With Other Emerging Technologies(59:57) What Types Of Players Are Going To Be The Big Winners And Losers?(1:00:56) Empowering the Next Generation of Builders(1:04:04) Visionary Ideas for Changing the World(1:05:41) Wrap--X / TWITTER:https://twitter.com/naval (Naval)https://twitter.com/balajis (Balaji)https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod (Upstream)https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)--For guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] license: OYOCYNQ0XUH22PB8 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 53E53: Nathan Labenz and Noah Smith on What AI Actually Means for the Economy
This week on Upstream, Erik is joined by Nathan Labenz and Noah Smith for a deep dive on how AI will impact job markets, the social contract, and the role of the government. Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--RECOMMENDED PODCAST: The AI Daily Brief If you’re looking for an edge to stay up to date on everything AI, subscribe to Nathaniel Whittemore's AI Daily Brief which delivers tight episodes covering all things AI from legislation to new technologies to the philosophical debates around generalized intelligence. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7gKwwMLFLc6RmjmRpbMtEOApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ai-daily-brief-formerly-the-ai-breakdown/id1680633614--SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | SQUAD | BRAVEHead to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Squad:💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.Brave: Get first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.--Recommended Podcast: Company BreakdownsEach episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,SpotifyApple--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:50) AI and the Future of Employment(03:57) The Intersection of AI, Robotics, and Biotech(05:00) Economic Disruption(06:40) Future of Jobs in an AI-Dominated World(08:27) AI's Impact on Economy(10:34) Pessimism Surrounding AI's Economic Impact(12:17) Comparative Advantage in the AI Era(13:50) AI Replacing Human Jobs(19:03) Sponsor: Squad | Brave(21:24) New Social Contract in the AI Era(34:38) Human Wages in an AI-Dominated Economy(39:36) Impact of AI on Job Market(41:45) Fear of AI Taking Over Human Jobs(47:51) Role of Government in AI Development(50:09) Potential Risks and Benefits of AI(53:15) Future of AI and Its Social Impact(58:38) Fear of Totalitarian States and AI(01:03:13) The Need for a Positive Vision for AI(01:11:03) Wrap up--X / TWITTER:https://twitter.com/noahsmith (Noah)https://twitter.com/Labenz (Nathan)https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod (Upstream)https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)--For guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 52E52: David Friedman on Anarcho-Capitalism, Utilitarianism, and Inequality
This week on Upstream, Erik is joined by David Friedman for a deep dive on anarcho-capitalism, utilitarianism, and more. To get Brave: Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.--Recommended Podcast: Company BreakdownsEach episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,SpotifyApple-Autopilot explores the adoption and rollout of AI in the industries that drive the economy and the dynamic founders bringing rapid change to slow-moving industries. From law, to hardware, to aviation, Will Summerlin interviews founders backed by Benchmark, Greylock, and more to learn how they're automating at the frontiers in entrenched industries.Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6YQZkKHN7EP2yWedAvSxBC?si=18377c69a2804333Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/autopilot-with-will-summerlin/id1738163836--SPONSOR: BEEHIIV | BRAVE | SQUADHead to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Get first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(00:46) The Friedman Family's Intellectual Lineage(03:18) Market Failures and Government Intervention(06:11) Privatizating Everything(09:33) The Mechanics of Anarcho-Capitalism(12:47) Why David Isn't a Utilitarianism(16:33) Midroll: Brave | Turpentine(18:19) David's Moral Framework(23:36) Is Global Coordination Possible?(30:46) Privatizing Military and National Defense(32:54) Addressing Poverty in an Anarcho-Capitalist World(35:40) Competitive Dictatorship(40:54) Historical Precedents for Private Law(42:31) The Inefficiency of Governments(44:06) Coordination under Decentralization vs Centralization & Surveillance Capitalism(55:07) Law & Punishment under Anarcho-Capitalism(58:28) The Problems with Restorative Justice(01:07:31) Addressing Common Criticisms of Market Systems(01:14:41) Exploring the Moral Case for Economic Growth(01:16:26) Existential Risks from Global Warming, AI, Nanotech, and Biotech(01:18:49) The Market's Short-Term vs. Long-Term Dilemma(01:20:13) Utilitarian Thought Experiment(01:22:03) Income Sharing Agreements(01:26:20) Equality of Opportunity vs. Outcome(01:30:15) Why Do We Care about Equality?(01:47:40) Anarcho-Capitalism and Crypto(01:51:04) David's Legacy--LINKS:David's Website: http://www.daviddfriedman.com/--X / TWITTER:https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod (Upstream)https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)--Upstream is a production from TurpentineProducer: Sam KaufmanEditor: Eul Jose LacierdaFor guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 51E51: How We Build More Housing with Brad Hargreaves & Noah Smith
In this special roundtable episode, Erik Torenberg is joined by Brad Hargreaves (the founder of Common, co-founder of General Assembly, and writer of Thesis Driven) and Noah Smith (podcast host, economist and writer of Noahpinion). They discuss the future of real estate and housing in America, the impact of regulations, and the potential of new cities.📖 RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Econ 102 is Noah and Erik's podcast diving into the news, business, culture and society from the lens of economics. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/econ-102-with-noah-smith-and-erik-torenberg/id1696419056Thesis Driven is a podcast hosted by Brad Hargreaves features conversations with the leading voices at the intersection of real estate, cities, innovation, and the built world. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thesis-driven-leader-series/id1724813949**These shows are produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected]._SPONSOR: BEEHIIV | BRAVE | SQUADHead to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Get first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.–Links:Noahpinion’s https://www.noahpinion.blogThesis Driven https://www.thesisdriven.com/–X / TWITTER:@bhargreaves (Brad)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@noahpinion (Noah)@TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)–TIMESTAMPS(00:00) Intro(00:28) Understanding Real Estate Economics(01:34) Role of Technology in Real Estate(02:22) 2008 Financial Crisis and Real Estate(06:31) Role of Banks in Real Estate(10:14) Future of Real Estate and Housing(16:01) Sponsor: Brave | Turpentine(17:44) Impact of Regulations(24:51) Real Estate Architecture’s Evolution(29:48) Role of Developers in Real Estate(40:21) Challenges of Building State Capacity(51:53) Potential of New Cities(01:00:33) Success of New Urbanist Towns(01:01:53) Wrap Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 50E50: Alex Blania on Worldcoin, AGI, and Future Predictions
This week on Upstream, Erik is joined by Alex Blania, who, with Sam Altman, co-founded Tools for Humanity, the organizarion behind Worldcoin. Erik and Alex go deep on Worldcoin, AGI, and other future tech. To get Brave: Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.--RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Sourcery by Molly O'SheaSourcery by Molly O’Shea brings the conversations founders and investors have behind closed doors into the light. Subscribe for upcoming episodes with: Delian Asparouhov of Founders Fund and Varda Space, and Chris Power of Hadrian.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ni3Tese9CtZa3oxpCjgTgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SourceryVC--SPONSOR: BEEHIIV | BRAVE | SQUADHead to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Get first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--LINKS:Worldcoin: https://worldcoin.org/--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:16) WorldCoin: From AI to Cryptocurrency(06:02) Solving the Proof of Identity Problem(10:11) The Orb: A Revolutionary Biometric Device for WorldCoin(12:53) Sponsor - Brave |(13:58) Turpentine Ad(14:36) Addressing Privacy Concerns and Misunderstandings of WorldCoin(15:50) WorldCoin as the Largest Financial Network(17:06) Navigating Controversies and the Future of WorldCoin(20:05) On Building WorldCoin(25:56) Engaging with Governments and the Global Landscape(28:29) Safeguarding WorldCoin and the Influence of Vitalik Buterin(31:10) Partnerships, Lessons from Sam Altman, and AGI's Future(38:06) Exploring Other Game-Changing Technologies(42:14) WrapX / TWITTER:@alexblania (Alex)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@upstream__pod@turpentinemedia--Upstream is a production from TurpentineProducer: Sam KaufmanEditor: Eul Jose Lacierda Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 49E49: The Legacy of Effective Altruism with Igor Kurganov
This week on Upstream, Erik is joined by Igor Kurganov, poker player and founder of Raising for Effective Giving. They discuss similarities between poker and Effective Altruism, the successes and failures of EA, and where EA should go next. To get Brave: Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.--RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Investing CityThe Investing City Podcast helps you improve at investing, business, and life: learn from some of the brightest minds in business such as the CEO of Walmart, Morgan Housel, or billion-dollar fund managers.Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7tV2EIrKXXUPxO0jpUaLlXListen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-investing-city-podcast/id1448079153--SPONSOR: BEEHIIV | BRAVE | SQUADHead to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Get first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--LINKSRaising for Effective Giving: https://reg-charity.org/--X / TWITTER:@IgorKurganov (Igor)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@upstream__pod@turpentinemedia--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:01) Math, Poker and Igor’s Journey into Effective Altruism(03:40) The Evolution of Effective Altruism(05:15) Critiques and Challenges of Effective Altruism(08:00) Limitations and Misapplications of Effective Altruism(10:42) Effective Altruism’s Approach to AI Safety and Pandemic Risks(12:54) Igor on Criticisms and Misunderstandings of EA(17:17) Sponsor - Brave(18:19) The Balance between Centralization and Decentralization in Effective Altruism(24:41) Utilizing Philanthropy to Address Market Failure(26:41) Critique of Utilitarianism(29:29) The Influence of Politics in EA(40:13) Appreciating Effective Altruism(42:31) Will EA be Here to Stay?(47:24) Wrap--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected]: Sam KaufmanEditor: Eul Jose Lacierda Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 48E48: Liron Shapira on the Case for Pausing AI
This week on Upstream, Erik is joined by Liron Shapira to discuss the case against further AI development, why Effective Altruism doesn’t deserve its reputation, and what is misunderstood about nuclear weapons. Upstream is sponsored by Brave: Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.--RECOMMENDED PODCAST: History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more. Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj--We’re hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik’s personal team on other projects he’s incubating. He’s hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: https://eriktorenberg.com.--SPONSOR: BEEHIIV | BRAVE | SQUADHead to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Get first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.--LINKSPause AI: https://pauseai.info/--X / TWITTER:@liron (Liron)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@upstream__pod@turpentinemedia--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro and Liron's Background(01:08) Liron's Thoughts on the e/acc Perspective(03:59) Why Liron Doesn't Want AI to Take Over the World(06:02) AI and the Future of Humanity(10:40) AI is An Existential Threat to Humanity(14:58) On Robin Hanson's Grabby Aliens Theory(17:22) Sponsor - Brave(18:20) AI as an Existential Threat: A Debate(23:01) AI and the Potential for Global Coordination(27:03) Liron's Reaction on Vitalik Buterin's Perspective on AI and the Future(31:16) Power Balance in Warfare: Defense vs Offense(32:20) Nuclear Proliferation in Modern Society(38:19) Why There's a Need for a Pause in AI Development(43:57) Is There Evidence of AI Being Bad?(44:57) Liron On George Hotz's Perspective(49:17) Timeframe Between Extinction(50:53) Humans Are Like Housecats Or White Blood Cells(53:11) The Doomer Argument(01:00:00) The Role of Effective Altruism in Society(01:03:12) Wrap--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected]: Sam KaufmanEditor: Eul Jose LacierdaFor guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 47E47: Rob Henderson on Life in Foster Care, Academia, and Beyond
This week on Upstream, Erik is joined by Rob Henderson, psychologist and author of the newly released Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class. They discuss dating, cancel culture, luxury beliefs, and more.Upstream is sponsored by Brave: Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.---RECOMMENDED PODCAST: History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj---We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: https://eriktorenberg.com.--SPONSOR: BEEHIIV | BRAVEHead to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Get first-party targeting with Brave's private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.--LINKSBuy Rob's book: https://www.amazon.com/Troubled-Memoir-Foster-Family-Social/dp/1982168536Rob's Newsletter: https://www.robkhenderson.com/--X / TWITTER:@robkhenderson (Rob)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@upstream__pod@turpentinemedia--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:03) Rob Henderson's unlikely journey from foster care to academia(04:00) The importance of childhood stability(07:48) Upward mobility is not the ultimate goal(11:43) Sponsor | Brave(12:46) How to improve discussions around family and class(18:47) Understanding luxury beliefs(25:06) Why do dumb ideas capture smart people?(31:15) The impact of dating apps on relationships(38:01) How technology will affect relationships and gender dynamics(58:07) The future of higher education(01:10:03) How to improve foster care(01:12:50) Rob's time in the military(01:18:57) Rob's future goals--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected]: Sam KaufmanEditor: Michelle PorehFor guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 46E46: Lyn Alden on How Money Works
This week on Upstream, Erik is joined by Lyn Alden, an investment strategist known for her unique blend of engineering, tech, and finance expertise. They discuss her book Broken Money, macro trends, and her best advice in the face of an uncertain economic future. Upstream is sponsored by Brave: Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.---RECOMMENDED PODCAST: History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj---RELATED SHOW: 10x Capital PodcastCheck out our show The 10x Capital Podcast with David Weisburd, where David talks to the investors behind the investors: https://10xcapitalpodcast.com/---We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: https://eriktorenberg.com.--SPONSOR: BEEHIIV | BRAVEHead to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Get first-party targeting with Brave's private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.--LINKSBuy Lyn's book: https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Money-Financial-System-Failing/dp/B0CG8985FRLyn's website: https://www.lynalden.com/--X / TWITTER:@LynAldenContact (Lyn)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@upstream__pod@turpentinemedia--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:30) Lynn's book 'Broken Money'(09:19) The rise and fall of monetary orders(14:18) How technology affects money(19:48) Sponsor | Brave(20:51) The effects of a global reserve currency(27:28) The future of the dollar(34:09) Inflation and interest rates(44:42) What are the interesting disagreements about Lyn's ideas?(47:22) The implications of national debt(51:34) What will the effects of Lyn's ideas be?(56:50) Wrap--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected]: Sam KaufmanEditor: Michelle PorehFor guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 45E45: Bayeslord and Nadia Asparouhova on Effective Accelerationism
On this episode of Upstream, Erik sits down with e/acc founder Bayeslord and writer Nadia Asparouhova to discuss the foundations and future of the e/acc movement.Upstream is sponsored by Shopify: https://shopify.com/torenberg for a $1/month trial period.---RECOMMENDED PODCAST: History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj--Check out Erik's new show Request for Startups featuring a rotating cast of founders and investors sharing their requests for startups they want to exist in the world, and also their stories of navigating the idea maze in different sectors so founders don’t have to reinvent the wheel anymore. The first episode is out now - we cover better dating apps, references as a service, and WeWork for productivity.Watch and Subscribe on Substack: https://requestforstartups.substack.com/p/receipt-based-dating-reference-checksApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/request-for-startups-with-erik-torenberg/id1728659822Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/739L1LR32QI2XyoZlRh5nv--SPONSOR:Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Shopify - https://shopify.com/torenberg for a $1/month trial periodShopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of all ecommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries. From their all-in-one ecommerce platform, to their in-person POS system – wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. With free Shopify Magic, sell more with less effort by whipping up captivating content that converts – from blog posts to product descriptions using AI. Sign up for $1/month trial period: https://shopify.com/torenberg.--LINKSBayeslord's and Nadia's article: https://www.piratewires.com/p/ethos-divine-age--X / TWITTER:@bayeslord@nayafia (Nadia)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@upstream__pod@turpentinemedia--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Episode Preview(01:40) Understanding the Perception of E/ACC(03:14) The Impact of E/ACC on Tech Culture(05:38) Nadia's Perspective on E/ACC(14:30) Evolution of Tech Culture(16:55) SPONSOR: SHOPIFY(29:55) Influence of Elon Musk on Tech Culture(45:07) Leadership in E/ACC(47:05) Understanding Journalistic Patterns & Social Dynamics(48:36) Impact of Social Media(49:40) Role of AI in Shaping the Future(50:50) Social Impact of Technology: A Critical View(52:44) Dichotomy of Tech: Good or Bad?(53:42) Evolution of Web 2.0 and Its Consequences(55:30) Future of AI and Potential Risks(57:31) Philosophy of E/ACC(01:26:14) The Future of E/ACC: Phase Two and Beyond--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected]: Sam KaufmanEditor: Michelle PorehFor guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 44E44: Tyler Cowen on Harvard, the GOAT Economist, and Ending Stagnation
On this episode of Upstream, Erik sits down with Tyler Cowen to discuss Harvard, AI, Javier Milei's legacy, the value of non-legibility in talent spotting, and more.Upstream is sponsored by Shopify: https://shopify.com/torenberg for a $1/month trial period.--RECOMMENDED PODCAST: History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj--We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.--Listen to the 10X Capital Podcast: https://10xcapitalpodcast.com/--SPONSOR:Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Shopify - https://shopify.com/torenberg for a $1/month trial periodShopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of all ecommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries. From their all-in-one ecommerce platform, to their in-person POS system – wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. With free Shopify Magic, sell more with less effort by whipping up captivating content that converts – from blog posts to product descriptions using AI. Sign up for $1/month trial period: https://shopify.com/torenberg.--LINKSRead Tyler's new book for free: https://econgoat.ai/Tyler's blog: https://marginalrevolution.com--X / TWITTER:@tylercowen (Tyler)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@upstream__pod@turpentinemedia--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(02:48) Tyler's new book GOAT: Who is the Greatest Economist of all Time and Why Does it Matter?(05:19) Javier Milei and dismantling bureaucracy(08:50) Who is the GOAT economist?(12:29) AI, economic growth, and fertility(16:58) Sponsor | Shopify(18:34) Policies for managing population decline(28:44) Emergent Ventures & talent spotting(31:59) The value of non-legibility(33:25) Predictions about Harvard(35:38) The Future of Higher Education(37:45) How Twitter and Harvard are related(40:22) How to think about group differences(43:43) Bronze Age Pervert on Nietzsche and postliberalism(46:45) Rawls's veil of ignorance(48:19) Tyler on his career and legacy(52:45) The future of the University of Austin(56:58) Wrap--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected]: Sam KaufmanEditor: Michelle PorehFor guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 43E43: Richard Hanania on Wokeness, Israel-Palestine, and the Mythos of the Modern Right
This week on Upstream, political scientist and writer Ricard Hanania returns to the show. Erik and Richard discuss wokeness, the Israel-Palestine conflict, the mythos of the modern right, Richard's upcoming debate with Curtis Yarvin, and more.Upstream is sponsored by Shopify: https://shopify.com/torenberg for a $1/month trial period.--RECOMMENDED PODCAST: History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj--We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.--SPONSOR:Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Shopify - https://shopify.com/torenberg for a $1/month trial periodShopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of all ecommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries. From their all-in-one ecommerce platform, to their in-person POS system – wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. With free Shopify Magic, sell more with less effort by whipping up captivating content that converts – from blog posts to product descriptions using AI. Sign up for $1/month trial period: https://shopify.com/torenberg.--LINKSRichard's Substack: https://substack.com/@richardhananiaTickets to Richard's debate with Curtis Yarvin: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/yarvin-vs-hanania-monarchy-vs-democracy-moderated-by-anna-khachiyan-tickets-796276132347--X / TWITTER:@RichardHanania (Richard)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@upstream__pod@turpentinemedia--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(02:31) Wokeness, DEI, and the removal of university presidents(06:44) How the Israel-Palestine conflict is affecting DEI(08:22) American sentiment towards Israel-Palestine(17:09) Sponsor | Shopify(18:46) Richard's foreign policy perspective on Israel-Palestine(23:02) Nietzschean Liberalism(25:39) How much truth can people take?(30:44) Technology as a spiritual north star(32:39) Reactionary feminism(38:34) Male status & birth rates(41:49) How important is IQ?(45:29) How to discuss difficult truths(48:00) Richard's debate with Curtis Yarvin(54:39) Understanding Effective Altruism--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected]: Sam KaufmanEditor: Michelle PorehFor guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 42E42: Erik Torenberg on the Evolution of Media
This week on Upstream, the tables are turned, and Erik is sitting in the guest seat. We're airing an episode the podcast Where It Happens hosted by Greg Isenberg. Greg and Erik discuss B2B creators, how to find profitable niches, how to monetize media businesses, and more.Upstream is sponsored by Shopify: https://shopify.com/torenberg for a $1/month trial period.--RECOMMENDED PODCAST: History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj--We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.--SPONSOR:Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Shopify - https://shopify.com/torenberg for a $1/month trial periodShopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of all ecommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries. From their all-in-one ecommerce platform, to their in-person POS system – wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. With free Shopify Magic, sell more with less effort by whipping up captivating content that converts – from blog posts to product descriptions using AI. Sign up for $1/month trial period: https://shopify.com/torenberg.--LINKSGreg's newsletter: https://www.gregisenberg.com/Greg's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GregIsenberg--X / TWITTER:@gregisenberg (Greg)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@upstream__pod@turpentinemedia--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:54) The rise of the B2B creators(04:30) Are podcasts worth investing in?(09:40) How to spot a profitable niche(11:57) Podcast acquisitions and partnerships(15:55) Sponsor | Shopify(19:04) Why media businesses are undermonetized(29:29) Producers are going to overtake Creators(39:31) Is there enough room for B2B creators?(45:15) Businesses that are too good for Venture Capital(52:55) Steal Erik’s free start up ideas--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected]: Sam KaufmanEditor: Michelle PorehFor guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 41E41: Steve Hsu on the Future of Everything
In this episode of Upstream, Erik sits down with theoretical physicist and startup founder Steve Hsu. They discuss political polarization in academia, the fertility crisis, AI, and more.--RECOMMENDED PODCAST: History 102 with WhatifAltHistEvery week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihmApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj--SPONSORS: Beehiiv | ShopifyHead to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Shopify: https://shopify.com/torenberg for a $1/month trial periodShopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of all ecommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries. From their all-in-one ecommerce platform, to their in-person POS system – wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. With free Shopify Magic, sell more with less effort by whipping up captivating content that converts – from blog posts to product descriptions using AI. Sign up for $1/month trial period: https://shopify.com/torenberg.--LINKSSuperfocus: https://superfocus.ai/Othram: https://othram.com/index.htmlManifold: https://www.manifold1.com/--X / TWITTER:@hsu_steve (Steve)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@upstream__pod@turpentinemedia--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(02:21) Political polarization in academia(05:47) The decline of meritocracy in academia(10:00) Why can't academia change?(13:27) Truth-seeking in startups(20:36) Sponsor: Shopify(23:36) The fertility crisis(32:11) AI and labor(41:06) What industries are safe from AI automation?(44:05) AI Safety vs accelerationism(47:51) Understanding the rise of China(58:46) The future of the US/China relationship(01:00:41) How does Steve allocate his time?(01:04:41) Steve's suggestions for underexplored opportunities--This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected]: Sam KaufmanEditor: Michelle PorehFor guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.