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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SHOPIFY

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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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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:

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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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.)

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Links:

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

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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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🙏 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

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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

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🙏 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)

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@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.

—

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:

@whatifalthist (Rudyard)

@samoburja (Samo)

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@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

--

Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess

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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:

@noahpinion (Noah)

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@turpentinemedia

--

In this episode, Steve joins the podcast to discuss the current state of the 2024 presidential election, providing insights on polling, election integrity, and potential outcomes for both candidates. He offers a balanced analysis of the race between Trump and Harris, discussing swing states, voter demographics, and possible post-election scenarios. For full shownotes, visit highlight: https://highlightai.com/share/1c755ce8-0c73-44ca-8d14-184a40e37f2d

--

Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess

--

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:

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.

--

Follow on X:

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@turpentinemedia

--

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(04:00) Close Elections & Historical Trends

(07:40) The Electoral College & Swing States

(12:15) Sponsors: Givewell | Squad

(13:13) Kamala Harris' VP Choice

(17:30) Election Integrity & 2020 Trauma

(28:40) Voter ID Concerns & Potential for Fraud

(36:50) Predicting the Outcome & Election Night

(39:20) October Surprises & Viral Stories

(42:50) Trump & Harris: Potential Outcomes of Defeat

(52:50) 2028 Candidates & The Future of Politics

(59:00) The Rise of Non-Traditional Candidates

(1:00:30) Wrap

In this thought-provoking episode, Richard Hanania joins Erik Torenberg to discuss his upcoming book on elite human capital, the future of American politics, and his evolving views on culture war issues. For full shownotes, visit highlight: https://highlightai.com/share/dcd6fdba-6a0c-4fee-bc87-8f855df56a32

--

Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess

--

🎙️ Dealcraft | Insights from Great Negotiators

is the brand new weekly podcast that features interviews with world’s greatest dealmakers and diplomats, including Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, and music industry super-lawyer John Branca, on their most challenging negotiations. Each episode, host Jim Sebenius (Harvard Business School professor and renowned negotiation expert) relates fascinating deal stories and distills useful insights for listeners to apply in their toughest deals and disputes.

Subscribe on all platofrms: https://link.chtbl.com/3CG3TbHY?sid=Turpentine

SPONSORS:

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.

NOTION

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/cognitiverevolution

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 make sure they know you heard about them from us.

Follow on X:

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@RichardHanania (Richard)

@turpentinemedia

In this episode of Moment of Zen, Erik Torenberg sits down with Tim Urban, writer of the popular blog Wait But Why, and author of the 2023 book What’s Our Problem? where he offers a framework for thinking about our chaotic political landscape.

Tim unpacks the clash between freedom and equality in modern society. He explores how social justice movements and political extremes threaten open dialogue. Urban argues for a return to classical liberal values, challenging listeners to consider: Are we fostering true diversity of thought, or silencing dissent in the name of progress?

🔥 Apply to join over 400 Founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj

--

🎙️ Dealcraft | Insights from Great Negotiators

is the brand new weekly podcast that features interviews with world’s greatest dealmakers and diplomats, including Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, and music industry super-lawyer John Branca, on their most challenging negotiations. Each episode, host Jim Sebenius (Harvard Business School professor and renowned negotiation expert) relates fascinating deal stories and distills useful insights for listeners to apply in their toughest deals and disputes.

Subscribe on all platofrms: https://link.chtbl.com/3CG3TbHY?sid=Turpentine

--

SPONSORS:

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 make sure they know you heard about them from us.

💥 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:

🎙️ This Won't Last - Eavesdrop on Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg's monthly backchannel. They unpack their hottest takes on the future of tech, business, venture, investing, and politics.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765665937

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSz

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

--

Follow on X:

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@waitbutwhy (Tim)

@turpentinemedia

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:04) Tim Urban Describes the Genesis of his Book

(02:11) Why Does Tim Believe Classical Liberalism is the "Least Bad" System?

(06:56) The Existential Threat of Today's Technology

(07:36) The Anomalous Nature of Our Era

(11:44) "What's Our Problem?": A Self-Help Book for Societies

(14:15) Trump's "Full-Fledged Demagogue" Presidency

(21:22) Summary of the Right & Left's Illiberal Actions

(24:13) Mistake Theory vs. Conflict Theory

(29:23) Sponsors: Givewell | Dealcraft

(37:49) The Debate on Gender Disparities in Tech

(41:04) The Size and Power of the Social Justice Fundamentalist Movement

(44:20) Sponsor: Squad

(45:34) The Tyranny of the 3%

(46:55) Two Constitutions: Individual Rights vs. Group Rights

(52:34) Unsolved Questions for Tim Urban

(56:17) Wrap

Today on Moment of Zen, we're bringing you the second episode of "This Won't Last", the newest show from Turpentine.

Keith Rabois, Logan Bartlett, Kevin Ryan, and Zach Weinberg share a rare anecdote about the first venture investment into OpenAI, lay out the bull and bear case for the leading AI companies and discuss regulatory chess games at play in American politics.

🔥 Apply to join over 400 Founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj

--

SPONSORS:

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 make sure they know you heard about them from us.

💥 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:

🎙️ This Won't Last - Eavesdrop on Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg's monthly backchannel. They unpack their hottest takes on the future of tech, business, venture, investing, and politics.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765665937

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSz

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

--

Follow on X:

@eriktorenberg

@rabois

@kevinryan

@loganbartlett

@zachweinberg

@turpentinemedia

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:25) OpenAI's First Venture Investment

(07:40) Foundational AI Talent and OpenAI's Growth

(15:59) Sponsors: Squad | Givewell

(16:27) OpenAI's Staggering Revenue Projections and Valuation

(20:39) AI Model Development and Competition

(25:28) Consumer Distribution and OpenAI's Competitive Landscape

(29:40) Google's Response and OpenAI's Public Market Potential

(32:15) Anthropic's Position and the Safety Debate

(34:03) AI Safety Concerns and the Role of the US Military

(38:04) The Shift in Perspective on AI and the Military

(41:28) Social Media Regulation and the Role of Government

(45:18) State-Level Regulation and the Challenges of Online Platforms

(51:02) Gambling Regulation and Individual Accountability

(55:17) Cryptocurrency and the Global Casino

(58:13) Accredited Investor Status and the Downstream Implications of Regulation

(101:12) Healthcare Regulation and the Challenges of Risk Assessment

(104:29) Individual Accountability and the Trade-Offs of Social Fabric Insurance

(107:16) The Limits of Do-Your-Own-Research

(1:10:39) The Spectrum of Evidence and the Challenge of Communicating Confidence

(1:14:27) A Promise to Return to Healthcare