“What I ultimately want to do with this Bitcoin discourse is try and bring as many people as possible to talk about it in a way that ceases to alienate particular ideological camps who for whatever reason have been trained quite effectively to be hostile to a technology that can actually empower them.”
— Glenn Greenwald

Location: Remote
Date: Monday 24th January
Project: balajis.com, glenngreenwald.com.br
Role: Angel Investor & Entrepreneur, Journalist and Author

US exceptionalism and continuance of its role as the world's leading power is under threat. Whilst it is arguable whether America has truly lived up to being that ‘Shining City on a Hill’, it’s potential demise and a resultant shifting balance of power eastwards should give those who believe in freedom and privacy pause for thought.

The reasons for the current predicament are varied and complex. Whilst there are powerful external forces seeking to damage the US, the most critical wounds are those that have been self-inflicted. Of these, a breakdown of public trust in government and the media are perhaps the most consequential.

The impacts are apparent to all: polarisation, ineffective governance, paranoia, stasis. All the while, China continues to make bold and aggressive moves aimed at supplanting the US.

All of this has occurred in a relatively short period of time. Just 30 years ago the Soviet Union fell, whilst Chinese nominal GDP was 6% of the US’s. Complacency and a focus on fighting imaginary enemies allowed rot to set in. Does Bitcoin offer an opportunity for the US to regain it’s discipline whilst also living up to the mantle of being the land of the free?

In this interview, I talk to angel investor Balaji Srinivasan and journalist Glenn Greenwald. We compare American incompetence to Chinese competence, how Bitcoin offers hope, why the US establishment has struggled to assimilate new technology and the damaging conflict between tech and media over the past 20 years.

This episode’s sponsors:
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WBD454 - Show Notes

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