As China surges past the combined manufacturing might of Western democracies, economists Scott Sumner and Noah Smith square off on America's industrial future. While agreeing on economic fundamentals, they clash over the gravity of China's rise - Sumner advocating measured engagement while Smith warns of an unprecedented shift in global power requiring bold policy action.

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SPONSOR: ORACLE | NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | ADQUICK

☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at https://oracle.com/turpentine/

Over 41,000 businesses trust NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud ERP, to future-proof their operations. With a unified platform for accounting, financial management, inventory, and HR, NetSuite provides real-time insights and forecasting to help you make quick, informed decisions. Whether you're earning millions or hundreds of millions, NetSuite empowers you to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Download the free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning at https://netsuite.com/zen.

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/momentofzen

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—

RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. This season's guests include: Delian Asparouhov & Nadia Asparouhova, Kristen Berman & Phil Levin, Rob Henderson, and Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod

—

HIGHLIGHTS:

Core Agreement Areas:

• Both are skeptical of partisan justifications for industrial policy (Democrats' "good jobs" focus and Republicans' "America First" stance)
• Both agree liberalization, not industrial policy, drove China's rapid growth

Climate Change & Green Tech:

• Sumner argues Biden's green subsidies were undermined by trade barriers against Chinese EVs/solar
• Smith counters that China's industrial policy in green tech has actually helped global climate goals by scaling production and reducing costs

Central Point of Disagreement - China Threat:

• Sumner sees Russia as the bigger immediate threat and warns against needlessly antagonizing China
• Smith argues we've entered a new era where China's manufacturing dominance (especially in military-relevant technologies like drones and batteries) fundamentally threatens democratic nations

Biden vs Trump Policy Results:

• Both criticize Trump's tariffs as ineffective
• Smith points to success of Biden's CHIPS Act and IRA in boosting domestic manufacturing of critical technologies
• Sumner suggests many industrial policies are based on misconceptions about macroeconomics

Manufacturing Strategy:

• Sumner advocates addressing trade deficits through fiscal policy and savings rates
• Smith emphasizes the need to maintain manufacturing parity in specific dual-use technologies
• They differ on whether total manufacturing capacity or specific industrial capabilities matter more for national security

Editor of Arena magazine Maxwell Meyer and pseudonymous writer Indian Bronson join Erik Torenberg for part 3 of the immigration series. They discuss the evolving dynamics between Trump's tech and MAGA supporters, cutting through online drama to examine how both sides might find common ground on immigration, talent, and America's future.

This is part 3 to Bronson's earlier Moment of Zen episodes, Debating Immigration Policy and Bronson vs Everyone: H-1B Wars, Elon, and Trump

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SPONSOR: NETSUITE | ORACLE

Over 41,000 businesses trust NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud ERP, to future-proof their operations. With a unified platform for accounting, financial management, inventory, and HR, NetSuite provides real-time insights and forecasting to help you make quick, informed decisions. Whether you're earning millions or hundreds of millions, NetSuite empowers you to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Download the free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning at https://netsuite.com/zen.

☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at https://oracle.com/turpentine/

—

RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. This season's guests include: Delian Asparouhov & Nadia Asparouhova, Kristen Berman & Phil Levin, Rob Henderson, and Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod

—

RELATED LINKS:

• Debating Immigration Policy: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4xR2aTcekJ60GFgTXMKGy4?si=DjML853wSLOUTmWAyqgv9g
• Everyone: H-1B Wars, Elon, and Trump: https://open.spotify.com/episode/79JNQHaxTKEfhkWL1pT1NH?si=NqEewJYuTlqoYDqpfxChhw
• Indian Bronson Substack: https://indianbronson.substack.com/
• Max Meyer's Arena Magazine: https://arenamag.com/

—

X / TWITTER:

@mualphaxi (Max Meyer)

@Indian_Bronson (Indian Bronson)

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@turpentinemedia

@MOZ_Podcast

—

HIGHLIGHTS:

I. Tech/Nationalist Right Conflict & Alliance

• Online clash over immigration policy.
• Debate on whether the tech/nationalist alliance is genuine or just expedient.
• Core agreement on stopping illegal immigration, but disagreements on legal routes.

II. Trump & Immigration

• Trump's long-held views on attracting high-skilled talent.
• Discussion of H1B visa program abuse and potential reforms.
• Trump's stance as pro-legal immigration, but anti-illegal immigration.

III. Key Themes

• Online vs. reality: online debates are often more extreme.
• Trump & Musk: Similarities in their hands-on approach and detail-oriented style.
• Power: Elon Musk’s unique influence in the Trump orbit.
• Critique of "Hick Lib" politicians like Tim Walz, and his inauthenticity.

IV. Predictions

• Democrats likely to do well in 2026 House elections.
• Focus on deportations under Trump.
• Continued alliance between Trump and Musk.

V. Nuances of Immigration Debate

• Discussion on the usefulness of Country Caps.
• Unintended consequences of affirmative action.
• Welfare differences between US and Europe.
• The importance of high-skilled immigration to economic growth, with caveats.

VI. Closing Thoughts

• Real conversation between powerful people took place.
• Emphasis on balancing economic benefits with the idea of America as a nation with shared history.
• Emphasis on trusting figures like Trump, J.D. Vance and those around them.

From Elon's immigration takes to Silicon Valley's clash with MAGA nationalists, this conversation between Erik Torenberg and Indian Bronson, a pseudonymous writer, dives deep into tech's newest culture war. Indian Bronson breaks down why Trumps's coalition has split over this issue and why America's elite and working class can't see eye to eye. This is part 2 to Bronson's earlier Moment of Zen episode, Debating Immigration Policy.

—

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🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse 

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SPONSOR: ORACLE

☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at https://oracle.com/turpentine/

—

RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod

—

RELATED LINKS:

• Debating Immigration Policy: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4xR2aTcekJ60GFgTXMKGy4?si=DjML853wSLOUTmWAyqgv9g
• Indian Bronson Substack: https://indianbronson.substack.com/
• Bernie Sanders: The Vox conversation: https://www.vox.com/2015/7/28/9014491/bernie-sanders-vox-conversation

—

X / TWITTER:

@Indian_Bronson (Indian Bronson)

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@turpentinemedia

@MOZ_Podcast

—

HIGHLIGHTS

Political Coalition Discussion:

• Discussion of Trump's winning coalition between nationalists and technologists
• Highlights tension between nationalist interests and tech industry goals
• Mentions Elon Musk's role in energizing the electorate for Trump

Immigration Policy Debate:

• Detailed discussion of H1B visa program (approximately 85,000 workers annually)
• Contrast between different types of skilled immigration:
• Legitimate cases (like Elon Musk's companies hiring specialized talent)
• Problematic cases (like Disney's IT staff replacement controversy)
• Criticism of current immigration system as satisfying narrow interests rather than broader American needs

"America First" Philosophy:

• Emphasis on policies benefiting Americans primarily
• Discussion of obligations to American citizens versus immigrants
• Comparison with other countries' policies (Singapore, Japan mentioned as examples)

Cultural and Economic Issues:

• Discussion of declining American metrics (youth suicide rates, marriage rates, patriotism)
• Critique of promises made to Americans regarding economic policies
• Debate about automation and future of work

Bernie Sanders Reference:

• Discussion of Sanders' 2015 interview with Ezra Klein
• Sanders' opposition to open borders as a "right wing proposal"
• His concern about impact on American workers

Tech Culture Commentary:

• Discussion of "jock vs. nerd" dynamic in American culture
• Criticism of changes in NASA's culture and tech sector
• Advocacy for "jock-nerd alliances" as beneficial for innovation

Call to Action:

• Encouragement for Americans feeling left behind to reach out
• Emphasis on opportunities still available for starting businesses
• Offer of guidance and introductions to VCs

Marc Andreessen, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) returns to Moment of Zen to discuss Trump's new administration, the political vibe shift for Silicon Valley, why San Francisco may be the cultural center of the universe, and what comes after wokeness.

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SPONSORS: VANTA | SQUAD

Vanta automates security compliance and builds trust, helping companies streamline ISO, SOC 2, and AI framework certifications. Learn more at https://vanta.com/nlw

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:

Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod



—

X / TWITTER:

@pmarca (Marc)

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@turpentinemedia

@MOZ_Podcast

—

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Unraveling of Preference Falsification
• Opening discussion about “winning”
• Examples of preference falsification unwinding
• Commerce Secretary’s comments on innovation
• Democrats shifting positions
• The Brendan Eich Case Study and Origins of Cancel Culture
• Mozilla controversy as inflection point
• Historical context of 2008 politics
• Impact on tech industry
• Personal reflection on not speaking up
• The Future of “Soft Authoritarianism”
• Discussion of whether wokeness is truly ending
• Role of bureaucracies and institutions
• Legal embedding of policies
• Cultural vanguard vs institutional power
• The Corporate Dismount from DEI
• Legal challenges to DEI policies
• Role of Civil Rights Division
• Corporate strategies for policy changes
• Supreme Court impact
• Culture Wars and Comedy
• Evolution of counterculture to culture
• Role of humor in cultural power
• Late night comedy’s transformation
• Discussion of “laughter vs. claptor”
• Changes in entertainment industry
• The Secret Networks and Information Flow
• Role of WhatsApp groups and Signal
• Modern samizdat comparison
• Evolution of private communication networks
• Impact on preference falsification
• Elon Musk’s role in cultural shift
• Hollywood and Entertainment Transformation
• Dad shows phenomenon
• Top Gun success as cultural indicator
• Bob Iger and Disney’s pivot
• Entertainment industry adaptation
• San Francisco as cultural bellwether
• Technology and Political Engagement
• Silicon Valley’s political evolution
• Software vs. hardware innovation
• Regulatory challenges to tech
• Response to criticism of tech involvement
• “Politics is interested in you”
• The New Administration’s Team
• Quality of appointments
• Comparison to historical administrations
• Getting to Mars
• Marc's thoughts on the appointments

BOOKS MENTIONED:

• "Private Truth, Public Lies" by Timur Kuran: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674707580
• "The Power of the Powerless" by Václav Havel: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Powerless-Vaclav-Havel/dp/178487504X
• "Why are Jews Liberal" by Norman Podhoretz: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Jews-Liberals-Norman-Podhoretz/dp/0307456250
• "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand: https://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Shrugged-Ayn-Rand/dp/0451191145
• Pew Research Survey: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/03/15/americans-feel-more-positive-than-negative-about-jews-mainline-protestants-catholics/

Samo and Erik explore Twitter's evolution, digital politics, and Europe's societal constraints. The conversation weaves through topics of online influence, cultural shifts, and the future of political discourse in the digital age.

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SPONSORS:

GIVEWELL

GiveWell spends 50,000 hours every year doing deep-dives into different charitable programs to try to find the ways to do the most good for your dollar. GiveWell has now spent over 17 years researching charitable organizations and only directs funding to a few of the HIGHEST-IMPACT opportunities they’ve found. Visit https://www.givewell.org to find out more or make a donation. (Select PODCAST and enter Econ 102 at checkout to support our show.)

SQUAD

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.

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RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod

—

X / TWITTER:

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@samoburja (Samo)

@turpentinemedia

@MOZ_Podcast

—

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:

• The future of politics may hinge on personal branding and media personalities.
• Corporate culture increasingly intersects with political beliefs.
• Social media platforms are arenas for elite discourse.
• The First Amendment plays a crucial role in protecting online expression.
• Political rebranding is becoming more common in the social media landscape. There's a desire to open the digital frontier.
• Europe's aging population affects its political dynamism.
• The political economy in Europe is in need of reform.
• American innovation is often stifled by older generations' preferences.
• The left struggles to find its voice in a right-dominated media landscape.
• Emerging left-wing voices may arise from unexpected places.
• Generational shifts will influence political and cultural dynamics.
• The digital age allows for new forms of activism and expression.
• The future of left-wing culture may depend on new, charismatic leaders.

Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg dissect the complex web of religion, nationalism, and power that shapes Middle Eastern politics. In this analysis, Samo reveals why traditional solutions have failed and offers a look at how demographic shifts and emerging ideologies will transform the region's future.

—

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🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse 

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SPONSORS:

NETSUITE

More than 40,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. If you're looking for an ERP platform, get a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program on NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen - Download your free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning

SHOPIFY

Shopify: 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

GIVEWELL

GiveWell spends 50,000 hours every year doing deep-dives into different charitable programs to try to find the ways to do the most good for your dollar. GiveWell has now spent over 17 years researching charitable organizations and only directs funding to a few of the HIGHEST-IMPACT opportunities they’ve found. Visit https://www.givewell.org to find out more or make a donation. (Select PODCAST and enter Econ 102 at checkout to support our show.)

SQUAD

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.

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X / TWITTER:

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@samoburja (Samo)

@turpentinemedia

@MOZ_Podcast

—

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:

• Middle Eastern governments often struggle with instability due to ethnic and religious divisions.
• The Syrian civil war exemplifies the challenges of governance in the region.
• Assad's fall may not significantly alter the power dynamics in Syria.
• Kurdish autonomy is a critical factor in the future of Syria.
• Islamist groups pose a significant challenge to stability in the region.
• Turkey's ambitions in Syria complicate the geopolitical landscape.
• Demographic changes will impact the political future of Syria.
• Foreign support has not been effective in sustaining the Assad regime.
• The future of Syria is uncertain, with many factions vying for power.
• Israel and Turkey's conflicting interests will shape Syria's future. Nationalism is a simple legitimizing political formula.
• Arab nationalism struggles due to the lack of unified representation.
• Geopolitical challenges hinder the formation of a unified Arab state.
• Islamism has emerged as an alternative unifying ideology.
• Political projects can lose legitimacy through repeated failures.
• The Taliban's legitimacy is rooted in religious authority.
• Democracy can be a powerful legitimizing force, even in non-democratic systems.
• Supporting stable monarchies may be more effective than backing rebel groups.
• Africa's political landscape is influenced by tribal and clan structures.
• Demographic changes will significantly impact the future of the Middle East.

In this episode of Moment of Zen, Erik Torenberg engages Indian Bronson, a pseudonymous writer, for a debate about immigration policy, national identity, and the future of American society. For full shownotes, visit highlight: https://highlightai.com/share/a08fc2a5-ff40-4d3b-8f2c-7174fde876cf

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🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse.

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SPONSORS:

NETSUITE

More than 40,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. If you're looking for an ERP platform, get a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program on NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen - Download your free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning

SHOPIFY

Shopify: 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

GIVEWELL

GiveWell spends 50,000 hours every year doing deep-dives into different charitable programs to try to find the ways to do the most good for your dollar. GiveWell has now spent over 17 years researching charitable organizations and only directs funding to a few of the HIGHEST-IMPACT opportunities they’ve found. Visit https://www.givewell.org to find out more or make a donation. (Select PODCAST and enter Econ 102 at checkout to support our show.)

SQUAD

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Links:

IB's writing: https://indianbronson.substack.com/

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Follow on X:

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@Indian_Bronson (Bronson)

@turpentinemedia

In this episode, Erik Torenberg and economist Noah Smith dive tackle pressing questions on government efficiency, libertarianism, immigration, housing, military spending, and the future of American politics. For full shownotes, visit highlight: https://highlightai.com/share/150a6b58-03ac-4eb2-b99a-803f577b1815

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RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg

--

SPONSORS:

INCOGNI

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MOMENT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/moment

SHOPIFY

Shopify: 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

GIVEWELL

GiveWell spends 50,000 hours every year doing deep-dives into different charitable programs to try to find the ways to do the most good for your dollar. GiveWell has now spent over 17 years researching charitable organizations and only directs funding to a few of the HIGHEST-IMPACT opportunities they’ve found. Visit https://www.givewell.org to find out more or make a donation. (Select PODCAST and enter Econ 102 at checkout to support our show.)

SQUAD

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@turpentinemedia

In this episode of "Moment of Zen," hosts Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja delve into the concept of populism and its impact on modern politics. For full shownotes, visit highlight: https://highlightai.com/share/0a17c191-56ca-43f0-b169-614198ecbc29

—

🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse.

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RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg

--

SPONSORS:

INCOGNI

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MOMENT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/moment

SHOPIFY

Shopify: 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

GIVEWELL

GiveWell spends 50,000 hours every year doing deep-dives into different charitable programs to try to find the ways to do the most good for your dollar. GiveWell has now spent over 17 years researching charitable organizations and only directs funding to a few of the HIGHEST-IMPACT opportunities they’ve found. Visit https://www.givewell.org to find out more or make a donation. (Select PODCAST and enter Econ 102 at checkout to support our show.)

SQUAD

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@samoburja (Samo)

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@turpentinemedia

In this episode of Moment of Zen, host Rudyard Lynch engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Samo Burja, exploring the breakdown of traditional power structures and drawing parallels between modern times and the religious wars of the 1600s. They delve into topics such as the aftermath of Trump's election victory, the rise of private military companies in Africa, and the evolving dynamics of global power. For full shownotes, visit highlight: https://highlightai.com/share/4f3ff1c4-1c9e-451c-b2d5-54bc06f8a87f

—

🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse.

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RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg

--

🎙️ Dealcraft | Insights from Great Negotiators https://link.chtbl.com/3CG3TbHY?sid=Turpentine

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.

SPONSORS:

SHOPIFY

Shopify: 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

GIVEWELL

GiveWell spends 50,000 hours every year doing deep-dives into different charitable programs to try to find the ways to do the most good for your dollar. GiveWell has now spent over 17 years researching charitable organizations and only directs funding to a few of the HIGHEST-IMPACT opportunities they’ve found. Visit https://www.givewell.org to find out more or make a donation. (Select PODCAST and enter Econ 102 at checkout to support our show.)

SQUAD

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.

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Follow on X:

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@turpentinemedia

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:06) Trump's Election Victory

(02:31) The Left's Position & Strategic Analysis: 

(04:53) Astroturfing, Emotionality, and Left-Wing Psychology

(10:21) The Future of the Internet: Free or Controlled? 

(15:21) Government Transparency and Historical Parallels

(17:31) Political Structures and Information Processing

(18:50) Sponsors: Dealcraft | Squad

(20:51) The Changing Political Landscape and Cultural Shifts

(21:53) "Blade Runner 1600s" and Societal Changes

(23:55) Geopolitical Shifts and the Rise of Private Military Companies

(27:21) France's Loss of Influence in West Africa

(28:41) Reasons for France's Decline in Africa

(30:41) A Class Analysis of Colonialism

(36:57) Sponsors: Shopify | Givewell

(39:30) Mexico's Co-evolution of Cartels and Politics

(40:28) Decentralized States and Elite Enclaves

(42:20) The Two Models of Mass Immigration

(45:11) Immigration, Demographics, and Political Manipulation

(46:28) Host Culture and Psychological Motivations

(49:04) The Great Chain of Being, Psychological Assumptions, and Modernity's Problems

(50:41) The War on Human Nature and Fragmentation

(52:33) Demon Plague Theory and Contagious Madness

(53:48) Charles Taylor's A Secular Age 

(57:31) Hollywood as Mythology, Cultural Shifts, and the 20th Century's Transformation of the Public Mind

(1:00:31) Conclusion & Outro

Noah Smith joins Erik Torenberg to discus the aftermath of Trump's election and discuss the conditions why Kamala Harris lost. For full shownotes visit https://highlightai.com/share/59de7631-50e2-4e47-b135-317b057b8434

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