Haman Nature

This week Adam Haman and economist Bob Murphy are breaking down an appearance by Peter Thiel on the show Interesting Times with Ross Douthat. Peter Thiel is a famous "libertarian" investor and tech guru, known for co-founding PayPal and Palantir.

00:00 — Intro. What should we libertarians think about Peter Thiel, seastead promoter and Gawker slayer? What about Palantir CEO Alex Karp?

07:35 — Clip 1: What's wrong with Silicon Valley and tech in the US? Are we stagnating? If so, what could the possible reasons be?

22:02 — Introducing our new sponsor: "https://TheSwanBrothers.com/cross"

24:39 — Clip 2: What is the future of AI? What about "transcendentalism"? Also, Thiel has a very uncomfortable pause when asked a simple question!

38:24 — Clip 3: Elon Musk predicts a billion humanoid robots working in the US, and yet he's still worried about the deficit? What gives? How big an impact will AI/robotics give to the economy?

47:42 — Clip 4: Is Peter Thiel the anti-Christ? Or is he just building the infrastructure needed by the anti-Christ to enslave the world? Also: "One world or none", or "Anti-Christ or Armageddon"?

57:51 — Is there any sense in which AGI could "solve" any aspect of the "knowledge problem" that makes a socialist economy unworkable?

1:03:12 — Outro. Thanks for watching Haman Nature! Interview mentioned - Peter

Thiel on Interesting Times with Ross Douthat:

Haman Nature episode mentioned (about Alex Karp):

Sponsor mentioned: https://theswanbrothers.com/cross

Adam on X: @Rerazer

Bob on X: @BobMurphyEcon

The Bob Murphy Show:

Adam's other podcast: Natural Order Podcast

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to the third episode of Adam and Tyrone's exploration of Economic in Three Lessons by Hunter Lewis! Henry Hazlitt's masterpiece has been upgraded, and here on Haman Nature we will guide you through the entirety of this great new book on economics! (links to earlier episodes below)

00:00 — Intro. Is this Adult Education? Are we eligible for a government grant?

01:09 — Let's read Lesson Two: The Free Price System, Chapter 4: The Role of Profits in Driving Down Prices!

06:43 — Why don't prices seem to "work right" in our current system? Because they aren't free! Also, maybe there was something wrong with that Karl Marx guy!

19:19 — Let's read Lesson Two: The Free Price System, Chapter 5: Who Are The Bosses in a Free Price System?

22:54 — It's the consumer! Ultimately, in a free market, consumers direct production and "dictate" the behavior of producers.

27:59 — Adam underscores the point: Who is the boss? Reality itself, as expressed by consumers.

32:59 — Let's read Lesson Two: The Free Price System, Chapter 6: Spontaneous Order From Free Prices!

37:36 — Real order comes spontaneously from the "bottom up" rather than the "top down".

40:35 — Wouldn't the worst get on top in a free market? Quite the opposite!

45:25 — Outro. Up next: more from Lesson Two: The Free Price System!. Thank you for watching Haman Nature!

Book mentioned: Economics in Three Lessons by Hunter Lewis: s

Part 1 of this series:

Adam's other show: Natural Order Podcast

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe

This week Adam Haman and economist Bob Murphy are taking on right-wing paternalism, as embodied by Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA and Saagar Enjeti of the popular online show Breaking Points. Both appeared on the Tucker Carlson show recently and sounded a lot like... leftists!

00:00 — Intro. Yay! More Tucker Carlson clips!

02:34 — Clip 1: Charlie Kirk says the youth want their "economic reality" addressed before a revolution is required to cure their complaints.

05:49 — Do we have a "credit-centric renter's economy"? Also, why is a socialist Muslim the favorite to be the next mayor of New York?

10:55 — Clip 2: Charlie Kirk says on average the 1st time home-buyer in the US is 38 years old. Why is that, and what are the negative consequences?

20:56 — Clip 3: Charlie Kirk says the practice of "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) is predatory. Tucker is so offended by BNPL that he wants the government to "shut those f***ers down!" Adam and Bob say banning the symptom doesn't fix the underlying problem with our economy.

37:12 — Clip 4: Saagar Enjeti (and Tucker) say nationwide mobile sports gambling is destroying everything and must be regulated much more strenuously, if not totally abolished. They also admit that they know nothing about the subject.

41:54 — Clip 5: Saagar Enjeti reads off some negative stats about mobile sports betting. Adam sez his arguments sound just like left-wing justifications for banning freedom. Who is right?

56:50 — Clip 6: Saagar Enjeti misunderstands parlay bets. Also, he just wants some "friction in the system" to fix this great evil. What a sport! Also, Adam and Bob tell tales of entrepreneurship.

1:08:22 — Clip 7: Tucker Carlson says something highly offensive!

1:18:24 — What government reforms could right-wingers support to actually alleviate these problems? Don't put band-aids over symptoms. End the Fed. End the Empire. End cronyism.

1:20:23 — Outro. Thanks for watching Haman Nature!

Charlie Kirk on Tucker Carlson's show:

Saagar Enjeti on Tucker Carlson's show:

Adam on X: @Rerazer

Bob on X: @BobMurphyEcon

The Bob Murphy Show:

Adam's other podcast: Natural Order Podcast

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe

Adam Haman welcomes patent attorney and libertarian legal theorist Stephan Kinsella back to the show to talk about why prescription drugs are so expensive in the US and what can (and should) be done about it. Even "free market" economists like George Mason University's Alex Tabarrok get this wrong!

00:00 — Intro. Welcoming my friend and verifiably smart person, Stephan Kinsella!

00:44 — Is Trump's new executive order going to make drugs cheaper in the US?

02:26 — What ever would we do without the government? Are they here to make us safe?

04:30 — Bob Murphy interviewed Alex Tabarrok about this issue. Stephan has some critiques!

06:32 — Clip 1: Does Trump's EO "import price controls" from other countries? What's missing from the analysis?

14:38 — Clip 2: Do countries "free ride" off our "free market" system? Is that why drugs cost more here? No! What freakin' free market?! Also, what does "market failure" really mean?

23:47 — Clip 3: Price discrimination makes sense in other market areas. What's the problem with using it for pharmaceuticals across national boundaries?

30:27 — Clip 4: Why do some "free market" economists hate free trade so much?

34:36 — Clip 5: What on earth is the "Tabarrok Curve" in relation to intellectual property laws? Also, is it true that pharmaceuticals are THE definitive case for the necessity for IP laws? Stephan says not, and shows his work.

52:03 — A truly bonkers "replacement" for IP: Create a tax-funded prize system for innovation!

57:30 — Is the Overton Window on the IP issue beginning to shift at all?

1:02:53 — Outro. Thanks for watching Haman Nature!

Stephan Kinsella's website:

Blogpost mentioned often as the source for this episode:

Human Action podcast mentioned - "Why are US Drug Prices So High?"

Book mentioned: Against Intellectual Monopoly by Michele Boldrin and David Levine:

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Adam's other podcast: Natural Order Podcast

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe

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Hello and good morning to our very dear paid subscribers! If you feel like you’re living in a time warp or an alternate universe (appropriate to the theme of this bonus episode) that’s because I accidently sent out this episode to you a few hours ago without show notes!

Terribly sorry. I blame either our future alien overlords or our future machine overl…

Adam Haman and economist Bob Murphy welcome gambler and YouTube star John "W2Jesus" Pollak to the show to talk about odds, edges, and viral views! Enjoy!

00:00 — Intro. Introducing professional gambler and YouTuber John "W2Jesus" Pollak!

02:10 — John is part of the "Vegas Matt" YouTube channel. Why are they so successful? How does all this "work" in a busy casino? What is the business model? How do the comps work?

14:00 — In the slot machine world, what are "variable state" machines? Are any of the machines "bluffing" about their state?

20:09 — What is video poker? How does it work? Also, are there casino games where you play regular poker versus the computer? Is Hold 'em "solved"?

28:27 — Casino marketing is difficult! Also, some fun observations from the casino floor.

33:46 — A tale of government regulation in the gambling world. What would we do without them? Plus, Bob tells a story about blackjack.

42:17 — Bob asks for gambling tips for the casual, recreational player.

45:43 — Outro. Thanks for watching Haman Nature!

John Pollak's "Vegas Matt" YouTube channel:

John Pollak on X: @realW2Jesus

Adam on X: @Rerazer

Bob on X: @BobMurphyEcon

The Bob Murphy Show:

Adam's other podcast: Natural Order Podcast

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe

Adam welcomes to the show national treasure Scott Horton of antiwar.com and the Libertarian Institute (links below) to talk about the 2025 movie Warfare as well as all the horrifying real-world warfare going on right now. Enjoy?

00:00 — Intro. Welcome libertarian foreign policy expert Scott Horton! And please donate to LibertarianInstitute.org and AntiWar.com!

04:11 — Spoiler alert! Let's break down the movie Warfare (2025) - and briefly The Outpost (2019). Is Warfare intentionally anti-war? Did 1987's Full Metal Jacket drive UP military enlistment? Or was it 1986's Top Gun?

17:17 — What does drive military recruitment? How did people respond to the 9/11 attacks? Also, what was going on in Iraq during the time depicted in Warfare? What was it all for?

27:00 — Scott updates us about the Russia/Ukraine conflict.

34:12 — Scott gives his impression of the Epstein fiasco and the Trump administration's flip-flopping.

44:57 — What does Scott think are other good anti-war movies? Also, what is the situation in the Israel/Palestine/Iran conflict? What problems do people have when trying to understand this issue?

1:07:11 — Announcing Scott's new dashboard university, The Scott Horton Academy!

1:09:30 — Outro. Go support Scott's great works! (linked below) Thank you for watching Haman Nature!

The Libertarian Institute

Antiwar.com

Scott's new site for online courses: The Scott Horton Academy

Adam's other show: Natural Order Podcast

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe

Adam Haman and Bob Murphy welcome Jacob Hornberger on the show to discuss the libertarian approach to immigration and border policy. Let the sparks fly! Jacob is president and founder of the great Future of Freedom Foundation (https://www.fff.org/)

00:00 — Intro. Hey! Jacob infiltrated our border! Podcast wars!

04:04 — Let's talk immigration. What is the libertarian position? How does the existence of the state and "public property" screw up the pure analysis?

11:23 — Are there lessons from the War on Drugs that apply here? In an imperfect minarchist system, how should a libertarian view various statist tradeoffs?

15:14 — If we acknowledge that the government does control borders and public land and public buildings, what does libertarianism say about what rules they set? What is a "political border"? How does that concept differ from "public property"?

34:18 — Should we think about borders, or should we think in terms of property rights? Who's rights are violated when a government agent stops an "illegal immigrant" from entering the country? Does the government own the roads? Do they act as if they do?

37:53 — Speculating about Dave Smith's preferred government border policy. What "2nd best" options are available in a statist world?

46:28 — Adam reveals his (admittedly arbitrary) "2nd best" government policy vis-a-vis immigration (and accidently says "private property" when he means "public property").

52:18 — A hypothetical in which Virginia is being invaded. Also, Adam is caught daydreaming.

55:25 — Is a specific government immigration policy automatically attached to a specific enforcement policy?

1:02:00 — What should the liberty movement promote to the general public about the immigration issue?

1:08:40 — Should the US give California and AZ etc back to Mexico since it's "stolen" territory? Also, Jacob announces a new book coming soon: The Case for Open Borders: A Primer.

1:12:43 — Outro. Visit Jacob Hornberger at fff.org and thanks for watching Haman Nature! Soho Forum debate mentioned:

Jacob’s response video 1:

Jacob’s response video 2:

Haman Nature episode mentioned:

Adam on X: @Rerazer

Bob on X: @BobMurphyEcon

The Bob Murphy Show:

Bob’s other podcast: The Human Action podcast:

Adam's other podcast: Natural Order Podcast

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe

Join Adam Haman and Tyrone the Porcupine Hobo as they respond to the great Tom Woods on the subject of reparations for the sins of the past. Are they justified? Could they ever be justified?

00:00 — Intro. Tyrone's got his grindstone out! Hey Tom Woods, your fly is down!

00:46 — Tyrone reads from Tom's email newsletter. Grok3 sez we have to wait 250 years before the sins of slavery are so dissipated as to be non-causal as related to outcomes. Wha?

06:07 — Tyrone questions Tom's narrative -- or at least his presentation. Adam wonders if the problem of racial disparities in government schools might be due to... government schools.

09:07 — What did Hn say on this subject a few weeks ago as relates to Israel/Palestine? Is there a statute of limitations principle that relates? Or the opposite? Are sins transferrable by blood?

17:38 — Adam responds to Tyrone's critique of Tom. Slavery is bad. A victim mentality coupled with a destructive culture is even worse. How can we evaluate causation vs correlation?

20:23 — Some scenes from TV's "Atlanta" and a clip from Maj Toure of the Black Guns Matter movement.

33:48 — So, what does all this have to do with the concept of reparations? Is there a solution?

39:39 — Outro. Thank you for watching Haman Nature! Haman Nature episode mentioned:

TV show mentioned: Atlanta:

Maj Toure's YouTube channel:

Adam's other show: Natural Order Podcast

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe

Do we need a state? Can a society have peace, prosperity, law & order, etc without a centralized sovereign entity doling these things out? While most people shrink from such a conclusion, economist and theorist Bob Murphy says we can! In this episode Adam Haman asks Bob to justify his crazy opinions! (Spoiler alert: Bob is right)

00:00 — Intro. See? I told you we aren't just a clip show!

01:35 — Minarchism vs Anarchism! Ring the bell! Let's get ready to rumble!

03:47 — Adam reads a comment/criticism of anarchism Bob's video received on YouTube. "Fair or Unfair?!" Look around the globe. Which system is failing, minarchy or anarchy?

08:28 — Wouldn't gangs take over if we didn't have government prisons? How much does culture impact how well a particular political system will "work"?

19:06 — Why must law be "one-size-fits-all"? Why can't the public think our way out of that box? Will it take a few "Will and Grace" moments?

26:55 — A school analogy reveals that you get "more order" via a decentralized structure.

28:53 — Wouldn't the criminals gang up against us and create society-wide mayhem?

34:00 — Don't we need a state to ensure societal coordination in important ways? What about greedy obstructionists who would just screw things all up? Aren't roads the perfect example?

41:47 — In "Ancapistan", is it conceivable that prisons (at least somewhat similar to ours) would exist because of contractual agreements? Yes!

47:38 — How would the "path to redemption" for a convict be different in a stateless society? Harsher? More forgiving? Something completely different - and better?

56:35 — What about big security concerns? Is "Ancapistan" in danger of security companies amalgamating together to become a monopoly warlord?

1:07:43 — Crooks, thieves, and murderers are bad for society. Even worse is when such activities are done under the color of law. That's the danger of a monopoly government state.

1:14:56 — "Public goods" is a completely fraudulent concept. There, we said it. Also, don't think democracy can save us. It can't and Bob can prove it!

1:21:18 — Outro. Thanks for the comment, viewer, and thanks for watching Haman Nature!

Video mentioned: "How would private courts and military defense work?":

Website for The Carl Menger Institute for Market Economics:

Haman Nature episode mentioned -- Interview with Matt Geiger of the Menger Institute:

Haman Nature episode mentioned -- a critique of democracy and voting systems:

Book mentioned, Anarchy, State, and Utopia by Robert Nozick:

Adam on X: @Rerazer

Bob on X: @BobMurphyEcon

The Bob Murphy Show:

The Human Action podcast:

Adam's other podcast: Natural Order Podcast

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hamannature.substack.com/subscribe