Afleveringen
-
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja dive deep into how Xi Jinping is shaping China's society today and its place in the world. They discuss Xi’s firm hold on power, his connections with different political groups, and how his decisions are affecting China's economy, military, and politics.
Make sure to subscribe to Samo Burja's Bismarck Brief and the Live Players podcast to read analyses and briefs like this one:
Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/
Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers
—
๐ฐ Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
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--
RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Tools and Weapons with Brad Smith
Join Microsoft Vice Chair Brad Smith as he explores tech's impact on society with Bill Gates and Satya Nadella sharing untold stories and insights on Microsoft's AI-fueled future.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4bYASdhkHwovdSmU4YAjYg
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tools-and-weapons-with-brad-smith/id1632459165
--
SPONSORS: BREX | NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | INCOGNI
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Over 41,000 businesses trust NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud ERP, to future-proof their operations. 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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--
X / TWITTER:
@SamoBurja
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
--
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DISCUSSION:
Consolidated unprecedented power through anti-corruption campaigns
Dismantled previous oligarchic system but created succession crisis
Maintains Marxist ideology while managing slowing economic growth
Limits wealth influence and civil society (Jack Ma case)
Reframes economic challenges as equality/environmental successes
Belt and Road Initiative less impactful than expected
Scientific innovation hindered by political conformity
Future paths: South Korea-style model or renewed socialist focus
Demographic challenges may limit long-term economic/military power -
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the complex relationship between Mexican drug cartels and the country's political system. Samo explains how cartels operate not as insurgencies but as business entities with deep connections to Mexican elites.
The discussion covers the economic impact of drug trafficking, how legalization affects cartel operations, and comparisons with other countries' experiences, and explore potential solutions for Mexico's development and the geopolitical implications for U.S.-Mexico relations.
Make sure to subscribe to Samo Burja's Bismarck Brief and the Live Players podcast to read analyses and briefs like this one:
Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/
Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers
—
๐ฐ Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
๐ Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
--
SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | INCOGNI | SQUAD
Over 41,000 businesses trust NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud ERP, to future-proof their operations. 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.
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
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.
--
RECOMMENDATION FOR THIS PODCAST:
“Mexico’s Drug Cartels Are Not Competitors to the State” https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/p/mexicos-drug-cartels-are-not-competitors
--
X / TWITTER:
@SamoBurja
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
--
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DISCUSSION:
Cartels' Political Integration: Mexican cartels operate not as insurgencies against the state but as partners with government officials, creating a corrupt patronage system.
Economic Impact: While drug trafficking represents a small percentage of Mexico's economy (0.3% of labor force), it provides significant corrupt revenue for political elites.
Evolution of Cartel Operations: Following marijuana legalization in the U.S., cartels shifted from agriculture (growing marijuana/heroin) to chemistry (producing synthetic drugs like fentanyl).
Border Security Concerns: The porous U.S.-Mexico border currently poses limited direct national security threats but could become problematic during escalating tensions with China or Russia.
Development Challenges: Mexico's extractive elites and corrupt political economy hinder genuine industrialization and development.
Potential Solutions: Successfully industrializing Mexico would require defeating extractive elites and eliminating corruption sources, potentially with U.S. or Chinese investment.
Future Outlook: Latin American countries like Mexico might eventually become more peaceful as populations age, similar to countries like Portugal or Greece. -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
Erik Torenberg and economist Noah Smith dissect the Democratic Party's path forward. Smith advocates for fiscal responsibility over progressive rhetoric, refocusing democracy concerns away from voter ID laws toward election integrity, and embracing patriotic messaging instead of identity politics.
Their exchange ventures into Elon Musk's influence on Republican effectiveness, the merits of Japanese bureaucratic models, and building a more competitive political landscape where both parties can harness entrepreneurial talent to implement practical governance solutions.
—
๐ฐ Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
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—
SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | INCOGNI | SQUAD
Over 41,000 businesses trust NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud ERP, to future-proof their operations. 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.
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
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.
--
RELATED LINKS:
How the Democrats can fight back against MAGA
https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/how-the-democrats-can-fight-back
Only fools think Elon is incompetent
https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/only-fools-think-elon-is-incompetent
—
X / TWITTER:
@noahpinion
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
--
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE
Three Recommendations for Democrats:
Anti-Inflation Strategy: Emphasize fiscally responsible policies, cut deficits, and abandon price controls and MMT rhetoric
Democracy Focus: Focus specifically on election integrity rather than voter ID laws or gerrymandering
Patriotic Messaging: Abandon progressive "America was founded on racism" rhetoric and embrace traditional American values
Tech Leadership Dynamics:
Elon Musk has transformed Republican effectiveness through entrepreneurial approaches
Democrats have alienated tech entrepreneurs through "tech bro" antagonism
Democrats need their own tech-savvy leaders (suggestions included Sam Altman, Marc Benioff, Reid Hoffman)
Biden's Economic Record:
The Inflation Reduction Act was misnamed but had positive industrial policy effects
Biden successfully fought inflation through Fed policy, deficit reduction, and energy production
The administration's effective actions contradicted progressive rhetoric
Project 2025 Critique:
Good intentions but lacks nuanced understanding of government functions
Relies too heavily on right-wing social media ecosystem for information
Would benefit from consulting policy experts at conservative think tanks
Social Media Transformation:
Twitter/X has become narrower and more political under Musk
A more fragmented social media landscape is positive for America
Social platforms naturally polarize along political lines
Alternative Economic Model:
Need for a "third way" beyond neoliberalism
Combine industrial policy, regulatory reforms, and Japanese-style bureaucratic approaches
Emphasize efficient governance over ideological purity
Cultural Observations:
"Situationships" replacing traditional relationships among young people
Free speech principles being abandoned by some Democrats
Increasing education polarization in political alignment -
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja examine the pervasive fascination with American political dynamics and their far-reaching impact worldwide, especially across Western democracies and European nations. They analyze how digital connectivity has accelerated the harmonization of political discourse and cultural values across borders, while exploring the emerging shifts in European political frameworks that increasingly reflect American ideological patterns and media narratives
—
๐ฐ Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
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—
SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | INCOGNI | SQUAD
Over 41,000 businesses trust NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud ERP, to future-proof their operations. 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.
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
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:
Two buttons meme: https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.2365085899.3351/st,small,507x507-pad,600x600,f8f8f8.jpg
The Clash of Civilizations: https://www.amazon.com/Clash-Civilizations-Remaking-World-Order/dp/1451628978
Bismark Analysis: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/
—
X / TWITTER:
@SamoBurja
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
--
HIGHLIGHTS
Global Political Influence
US politics heavily impact Western countries, while Americans know little about other nations' political leaders
Western countries form a connected political unit, using only other Western nations as models
Internet's Unifying Effect
Shared digital platforms have synchronized Western attention and culture more than ever before
Younger Europeans increasingly consume political news in English online rather than in local languages
Political & Cultural Transfer
American political concepts (from trans rights to gun advocacy) spread to Europe
Tension between traditional European media control and Silicon Valley's free speech platforms like X.com
Potential European Transformation
Free speech on social media could trigger significant right-wing political shifts in Europe
Upcoming elections may demonstrate the impact of changing information access
Questions about EU's "democratic deficit" and bureaucratic dominance
Western Alignment
Liberal and conservative international movements both center on US terms and platforms
Military strength contributes significantly to America's cultural influence
Western nations function as a de facto alliance despite having no formal "Western Union" -
This week, Erik Torenberg is joined by Dr. Victor Davis Hanson, classicist, political commentator, and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford. Together they conduct a thought experiment: it's 2030, how can we expect to understand the legacy of Donald Trump, the shifting political landscape in Germany and the rest of Europe, the outcome of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, China's ambitions regarding Taiwan, Israel's strategic challenges, and the future of the Democratic Party?
—
๐ฐ Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
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—
SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | INCOGNI | SQUAD
Over 41,000 businesses trust NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud ERP, to future-proof their operations. 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.
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
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 IN THIS EPISODE:
Official site: https://victorhanson.com/
The Victor Davis Hanson podcast: https://victorhanson.com/podcasts/
Hoover Institution - featured publications and videos: https://www.hoover.org/profiles/victor-davis-hanson
Erik's substack: https://eriktorenberg.substack.com/
—
X / TWITTER:
@VDHanson
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
--
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Reflecting on Trump's Legacy
Trump's Second Term
JD Vance's Future
Ukraine-Russia Conflict
US-Europe Relations
The Future of Europe
China's Ambitions and Taiwan
Israel's Strategic Dilemmas
The Future of the Left -
Erik Torenberg and Jon Askonas talk about the emerging political realignment in tech, specifically how Silicon Valley has shifted away from Democrats. They discuss the "tech right," its relationship with MAGA and "MAHA" (Make America Healthy Again) movements, potential tensions within this new coalition, and how Democrats might respond to their 2024 electoral defeat.
Check out the interviews Erik mentions in this episode:
Ezra Klein on Supply-side Progressivism, Polarization, and What Silicon Valley Misses About Politics: https://open.spotify.com/episode/36vTPPcpisMVXSgq9bnj1w
The Future of Crypto with Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1EeTFGKxYuDojR5kvqpCyt
—
๐ฐ Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
๐ Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
—
SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | INCOGNI | SQUAD
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.
Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MOMENT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: http://incogni.com/moment
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 IN THIS EPISODE:
Jon's recently published pieces:
Tech for Trump: https://www.city-journal.org/article/tech-for-trump
The New Control Society: https://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/the-new-control-society
Erik's substack: https://eriktorenberg.substack.com/
—
X / TWITTER:
@JonAskonas
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
--
RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Second Opinion
๐๏ธ Join Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz and Luba Greenwood as they bring influential entrepreneurs, experts and investors into the ring for candid conversations at the frontlines of healthcare and digital health every week.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A8NwQE976s32zdBbZw6bv
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/second-opinion-with-christina-farr-ash-zenooz-md-luba/id1759267211
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SecondOpinionwithChristinaFarr
--
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Jon discusses Silicon Valley's shift away from Democrats, pointing to tech leaders like Zuckerberg, Nadella, and Bezos appearing at Trump's inauguration.
The "tech right" is explained as one of three pillars of the new right coalition, alongside MAGA and "MAHA" (Make America Healthy Again).
Jon identifies key factors driving tech's rightward shift: frustration with Democratic regulations affecting crypto, AI, and energy production; COVID governance failures; and cultural issues.
The podcast examines potential tensions within this coalition, particularly around immigration and transhumanism, where tech interests may conflict with MAGA priorities.
Jon analyzes how the new right coalition is united by opposition to "the Cathedral" (establishment institutions) rather than external threats.
They discuss Project 2025 and "DOGE" (Department of Government Efficiency) as attempts to dismantle bureaucracy and bring transparency to government spending.
The conversation explores how Democrats might respond, including moderating on culture war issues and adopting an "abundance agenda." -
This Valentine's Day weekend, we're airing the debut episode of Modern Relationships featuring Varda space founder Delian Asparouhov and repeat M.O.Z. guest Nadia Asparouhova. Delian and Nadia talk about how they make their relationship work, dating in San Francisco, and why overcommunication might do more harm than good.
—
๐ฐ Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
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—
SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | INCOGNI | SQUAD
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.
Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MOMENT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: http://incogni.com/moment
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 IN THIS EPISODE:
Nadia's writing: https://nadia.xyz/
Delian's site: https://delian.io/
Erik's substack: https://eriktorenberg.substack.com/
—
X / TWITTER:
@nayafia
@zebulgar
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
--
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 FROM THE EPISODE:
Delian and Nadia met in San Francisco, where Delian quickly pushed for commitment while Nadia was initially intrigued but uncertain about his intense personality.
They built their relationship on minimal but direct communication, believing that over-communication can create problems where none exist.
Their careers grew alongside their relationship, with both valuing some shared context in tech while pursuing different interests.
Having their first child changed their dynamic from independence to necessary schedule coordination, though they work to maintain their individual pursuits.
Delian advocates for men having children younger to grow alongside their careers, while Nadia emphasizes women should have time to find themselves first.
The couple balances ambitious careers with family life, seeing their domestic world as an expanding universe rather than a limitation.
They approach conflicts with a "short memory" philosophy, choosing not to overanalyze small issues and accepting that some days will have tension. -
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja examine how advancing desalination technology could reshape geopolitics and transform landscapes. They discuss how affordable desalination ($0.3 cents per liter) makes large-scale terraforming feasible, potentially enabling countries like Saudi Arabia or Australia to create vast green spaces and support larger populations. The technology's implications extend beyond water security to national development and climate resilience. The essay on desalination originally appeared in The Bismarck Brief - subscribe here: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/
—
๐ฐ Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
๐ Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
—
SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | SQUAD
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.
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 IN THIS EPISODE:
The Untapped Potential of Desalination: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/p/the-untapped-potential-of-desalination
1957, 1978, 2005 Chicken Sizes diagram: https://compote.slate.com/images/4e407854-6360-4172-a85e-d7b8c64fd365.jpg?width=1200
Growth, efficiency, and yield of commercial broilers from 1957, 1978, and 2005: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119385505
Live Players: Can China Power Its Rise?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOei7kZjuZU
Live Players: The Possibility of Human Extinction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEQEMpxLnGA&t=42s
Bismark Analysis: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/
--
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
๏ปฟ
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Technology Status
Highly efficient: 2.3 kWh per cubic meter
Low production cost: 0.3 cents/liter
Main costs: infrastructure, not energy
Current Usage
Gulf states lead adoption (UAE: 42% of water from desalination)
Viable for moderately developed nations
Transformative Potential
$32B could match Nile River's annual flow
Enables desert terraforming
Could transform Saudi Arabia, Australia, US regions
National Opportunities
Saudi Arabia: $300B for national parks
Australia: Support larger population
Regional development: Turkey, Spain
Strategic Impact
Eliminates water scarcity concerns
Enhances climate resilience
Enables new settlement patterns
Potential tool for political stability -
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja analyze Curtis Yarvin's arguments about government inefficiency, comparing corporate and state governance structures. The conversation covers how bureaucracies decay over time, China's approach to governance, and Yarvin's influence in shifting Silicon Valley libertarians toward more right-wing positions. They also examine his evolution from a cancelled figure to a mainstream intellectual voice.
—
๐ฐ Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
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—
SPONSOR: NOTION | NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | SQUAD
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 https://notion.com/upstreampod
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.
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. 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
๏ปฟ
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Curtis Yarvin's influence on tech-right thinking challenged conventional political discourse through digital platforms.
Corporate efficiency doesn't follow natural selection principles - institutional success requires active leadership rather than market forces alone.
Government accountability and innovation are stifled by bureaucratic gridlock, with catastrophic potential costs to society (exemplified by China's one-child policy).
Mainstream political ideologies (left & right) are more aligned than they appear, suggesting democracy isn't the final stage of political evolution.
Engaging with controversial thinkers like Yarvin reveals important critiques of current systems, even when disagreeing with their proposed solutions.
Societal progress requires harnessing collective energy and maintaining efficient governance structures. -
Today on Moment of Zen, we're bringing you the third episode of "This Won't Last", the newest show from Turpentine.
Keith Rabois, Logan Bartlett, Kevin Ryan, and Zach Weinberg dissect the 2025 political landscape in a spirited discussion of Trump's evolved messaging and surprising tech industry backing. The conversation weaves through immigration policy, corporate political neutrality, and market dynamics - from Silicon Valley's rightward shift to urban crime challenges and insurance markets and explores how America's tech-policy nexus is reshaping in real-time.
—
๐ฐ Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
๐ Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
—
SPONSOR: NOTION | NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | SQUAD
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 https://notion.com/upstreampod
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.
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. 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
๏ปฟ
—
HIGHLIGHTS:
2024 Election Results
Analysis of Trump's victory and polling accuracy
Impact of inflation on voter behavior
Discussion of electoral trends and campaign dynamics
Tech Industry Political Evolution
Shift in tech leadership support for Trump administration
Energy and regulatory policy influences
Corporate political donations trends
Workplace Politics
Corporate stance on political issues
Employee activism and company responses
Evolution of DEI initiatives
New York Public Safety
Crime statistics analysis
Impact of bail reform
Mental health policy challenges
Law enforcement strategies
California Natural Disasters
Insurance market responses
Property rebuilding regulations
Market pricing dynamics in crisis situations
Healthcare Regulation
State licensing restrictions
Market inefficiencies
Professional interest group influence -
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
โ๏ธ 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
๏ปฟ—
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.
โ๏ธ 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
๏ปฟ—
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.
—
๐ฐ Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
๐ Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
—
SPONSOR: ORACLE
โ๏ธ 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
๏ปฟ—
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
๏ปฟ
—
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.
—
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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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.
—
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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๐ 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.
--
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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๐ Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse.
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RECOMMENDED PODCAST:
๐๏ธ 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.)
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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
—
๐ Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse.
—
RECOMMENDED PODCAST:
๐๏ธ 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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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
—
๐ Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse.
—
RECOMMENDED PODCAST:
๐๏ธ 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
--
๐๏ธ 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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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 - Laat meer zien
