"The Riff" with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg

This week, Byrne and Erik discuss Meta’s open source strategy, Google’s hiring of Character.AI’s CEO, the calculus behind the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and more.

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

---

RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:

🎙️ 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

---

SPONSORS:

BRAVE: Get first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “Turpentine” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.

---

LINKS:

Byrne’s writing: https://thediff.co

---

X / TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/ByrneHobart (Byrne)

https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)

---

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:25) Meta's open source AI strategy

(07:42) Google's acquisition of Character.AI

(12:20) Sponsors: Brave

(13:49) Reddit's data deal with Google

(16:40) Strategic Petroleum Reserve Management

(20:26) Andrew Left's activist shorting troubles

(27:46) Job compensation and revenue generation

(33:39) Amazon's logistics and growth strategy

(36:57) Amazon's historical reinvestment strategy

(42:27) Amazon's culture drift and leadership

(46:50) Specialized vs Consolidated AI models

(52:05) Outro

This week, Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg are joined by Omar Shams, the founder of Mutable AI, for a deep dive into Omar’s great piece, The AI Organization. In this conversation, they explore the potential of AI to transform organizational productivity, the limitations of financial metrics in GDP, and AI's role in political processes and societal structures.

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

---

RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:

🎙️ 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

---

SPONSORS:

BABBEL: 🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenberg

BRAVE: Get first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “Turpentine” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.

---

LINKS:

Byrne’s writing: https://thediff.co

The AI Organization, part I: https://blog.mutable.ai/p/the-ai-organization-part-i

The First Org Chart Ever Made Is a Masterpiece of Data Design: https://www.wired.com/2014/03/stunningly-complex-organization-chart-19th-century/

---

X / TWITTER:

https://x.com/smahsramo (Omar)

https://twitter.com/ByrneHobart (Byrne)

https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)

---

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:20) Historical context of technological adoption

(02:40) The AI Organization

(06:10) Economic theories and AI

(11:55) Capitalism vs. Communism

(16:00) Sponsor: Babbel | Brave

(17:28) Role of AI in future economies

(18:51) AI's impact on company sizes

(24:10) AI and political influence

(29:50) Effect of AI on legal services

(31:55) Complexity of GDP and human preferences

(41:57) Future of Work and AI Integration

(54:24) AI adoption in various sectors

(01:03:56) Outro

This week, Byrne Hobart is joined by Patrick McKenzie (patio11), host of the podcast Complex Systems, to discuss the complexity and endless fascination of financial infrastructures, the role of fraud in finance, talent spotting strategies and the importance of building networks.

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

---

SPONSORS:

BABBEL: 🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenberg

BEEHIIV: Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 Head to https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months

---

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🎙️1 to 100 | Hypergrowth Companies Worth Joining

Every week we sit down with the founder of a hyper-growth company you should consider joining. Our goal is to give you the inside story behind breakout, early stage companies potentially worth betting your career on. This season, discover how the founders of Modal Labs, Clay, Mercor, and more built their products, cultures, and companies.

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/70NOWtWDY995C8qDqojxGw

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1762756034

-

📈 ECON 102 W/ NOAH SMITH - Keeping econ entertaining - Noahpinion author Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg break down business news and politics every week.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOH

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812

---

LINKS:

Byrne’s writing: https://thediff.co

Patrick's Newsletter: https://www.bitsaboutmoney.com/

---

X / TWITTER:

https://x.com/patio11 (Patrick)

https://twitter.com/ByrneHobart (Byrne)

https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)

---

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:20) Historical origins of financial products

(01:22) Old infrastructure in finance

(05:02) Security vs Usability trade-off

(10:49) Trust dynamics in finance

(11:58) High-trust vs Low-trust environments

(15:26) Market dynamics and reputation systems

(19:41) Sponsors: Babbel | Beehiiv

(22:15) Who's your favorite fraudster?

(25:10) Crypto and money laundering

(30:31) FTX and money laundering theory

(36:59) Collapse of FTX

(40:55) Normative Aspects of Trust

(46:27) The Starfighter Project

(53:33) Value of networking and cold emails

(58:00) Managing information flow

(01:02:31) Outro

This week, Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg discuss the resurgence of prediction markets, the balance of sophisticated vs. 'dumb' money, Biden's nomination odds and the impact of AI on software economics.

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

---

SPONSORS:

BABBEL: 🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenberg

BEEHIIV: Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 Head to https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months

---

RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:

🎙️1 to 100 | Hypergrowth Companies Worth Joining

Every week we sit down with the founder of a hyper-growth company you should consider joining. Our goal is to give you the inside story behind breakout, early stage companies potentially worth betting your career on. This season, discover how the founders of Modal Labs, Clay, Mercor, and more built their products, cultures, and companies.

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/70NOWtWDY995C8qDqojxGw

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1762756034

-

📈 ECON 102 W/ NOAH SMITH

Keeping econ entertaining - Noahpinion author Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg break down business news and politics every week.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOH

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812

---

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:20) Is this the Polymarket election?

(08:55) Prediction markets

(11:07) Politics and prediction markets

(15:13) Sponsors: Babbel | Beehiiv

(17:48) CrowdStrike and the cost of software failures

(23:39) AI adoption and workplace dynamics

(27:29) Financial systems post-Great Financial Crisis

(35:02) USSR's computer network for economic planning

(40:01) Best performing stock of the last 100 years

(43:22) AI's impact on software and hardware economics

(48:46) Market cycles and political influence

(51:11) Dot-com crash, Y2K, and the housing bubble

(54:28) Stripe and the future of private companies

(59:12) Venture capital vs. Private equity returns

(01:00:49) Outro

---

LINKS:

Byrne’s writing: https://thediff.co

---

X / TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)

https://twitter.com/ByrneHobart (Byrne)

https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)

On this week’s episode of The Riff, Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg discuss how the 2024 presidential election has changed, why Wikipedia’s partisanship problem is difficult to solve, and the strategy behind Amazon’s media business.

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

---

SPONSORS:

BABBEL: 🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenberg

BEEHIIV: Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 Head to https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months

---

RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:

🎙️1 to 100 | Hypergrowth Companies Worth Joining

Every week we sit down with the founder of a hyper-growth company you should consider joining. Our goal is to give you the inside story behind breakout, early stage companies potentially worth betting your career on. This season, discover how the founders of Modal Labs, Clay, Mercor, and more built their products, cultures, and companies.

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/70NOWtWDY995C8qDqojxGw

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1762756034

-

📈 ECON 102 W/ NOAH SMITH

Keeping econ entertaining - Noahpinion author Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg break down business news and politics every week.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOH

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812

---

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:20) Case for a boring campaign

(01:49) Impact of Assassination Attempts

(05:20) Sam Altman OpenAI analogy

(06:24) Symbolism in the presidency

(10:17) Role of determination in leadership

(15:16) Presidents role

(18:10) Sponsors: Babbel | Beehiiv

(20:45) Vice presidential pick

(25:16) Algorithmic collusion in real estate

(29:48) David Gerard on Wikipedia

(38:23) The 4chan of Crypto

(42:14) Stable growth stocks

(47:02) Amazon's media business strategy

(53:16) Mission-driven vs. Vanity businesses

(57:00) Benefits of liquidity in American markets

(58:31) Outro

---

LINKS:

Byrne’s writing: https://thediff.co

---

X / TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)

https://twitter.com/ByrneHobart (Byrne)

https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)

This week, Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg dive deep into David Graeber's controversial concept of 'Bullshit Jobs,' exploring its validity and impact. They also discuss the future of labor and employment in the era of AI, the intricate dynamics of globalization, and the complexities of corporate governance.

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

---

SPONSORS:

BABBEL: 🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenberg

BEEHIIV: Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 Head to https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months

---

RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

🎙️ Second Opinion - A new podcast for health-tech insiders from Christina Farr of the Second Opinion newsletter. Join Christina Farr, Luba Greenwood, and Ash Zenooz every week as they challenge industry experts with tough questions about the best bets in health-tech.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1759267211

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A8NwQE976s32zdBbZw6bv

-

📈 ECON 102 W/ NOAH SMITH - Keeping econ entertaining - Noahpinion author Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg break down business news and politics every week.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOH

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812

---

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:20) David Graeber's “Bullshit Jobs”

(11:15) Meritocracy and word origins

(14:01) Convergent evolution

(16:04) Sponsors: Babbel | Beehiiv

(18:39) Public intellectuals and broad theories

(24:30) Automation and future of work

(31:55) Corporate control and voting rights

(38:46) Burden of knowledge

(45:38) Robert Gordons thesis

(52:41) Globalization and resource endowments

(01:00:54) Outro

---

LINKS:

Byrne’s writing: https://thediff.co

---

X / TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)

https://twitter.com/ByrneHobart (Byrne)

https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)

On this week's episode of The Riff, Erik and Byrne discuss the evolution of monetary systems, the economics of AI investments, and how AI is impacting the job market for junior software developers.

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

---

BABBEL: 🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenberg

BEEHIIV: Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 Head to https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months

---

RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

🎙️ Second Opinion - A new podcast for health-tech insiders from Christina Farr of the Second Opinion newsletter. Join Christina Farr, Luba Greenwood, and Ash Zenooz every week as they challenge industry experts with tough questions about the best bets in health-tech.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1759267211

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A8NwQE976s32zdBbZw6bv

-

📈 ECON 102 W/ NOAH SMITH - Keeping econ entertaining - Noahpinion author Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg break down business news and politics every week.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOH

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812

---

(00:00) Intro

(00:21) Centralization and AI

(03:32) Challenges of centralized planning with AI

(04:20) Curtis Yarvin's influence on modern governance

(09:53) Comparing government and corporate structures

(14:22) Succession problem in governance

(17:56) Sponsors: Babbel | Beehiiv

(20:30) Tony Blair's insights on governance

(29:43) Impact of AI on fame

(33:16) Future of digital celebrities

(36:15) Evolution of monetary systems

(42:51) AI's economic impact and challenges

(51:12) Changing job market for developers

(59:04) Outro

---

Byrne’s writing: https://thediff.co

---

https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)

https://twitter.com/ByrneHobart (Byrne)

https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)

This week, Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg discuss a lesser-known Chamath Palihapitiya story, the index rebalancing trade as a postmodern part of finance, AI labs, crypto, and more. beehiiv: Head to https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months.

Byrne Hobart is hiring an associate! Check out the JD here: https://www.thediff.co/jobs/

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

---

SPONSORS:

BABBEL: 🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenberg

BEEHIIV: Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 Head to https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months

---

RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

🎙️ Second Opinion - A new podcast for health-tech insiders from Christina Farr of the Second Opinion newsletter. Join Christina Farr, Luba Greenwood, and Ash Zenooz every week as they challenge industry experts with tough questions about the best bets in health-tech.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1759267211

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A8NwQE976s32zdBbZw6bv

-

📈 ECON 102 W/ NOAH SMITH - Keeping econ entertaining - Noahpinion author Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg break down business news and politics every week.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOH

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812

---

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00) About the Show

(00:00:20) Chamath, IAC, and Tinder

(00:16:20) Sponsors: Babbel | Beehiiv

(00:18:54) Chamath continued

(00:18:54) Twitter, Threads

(00:22:40) Twitter, Twitch

(00:24:12) Twitter, API

(00:28:37) Meme coins

(00:32:10) The postmodernity of index rebalancing trades

(00:35:37) S&P 500 inclusion and exclusion

(00:40:52) Crypto, AI, and the Zeitgeist

(00:42:14) Crypto

(00:46:55) AI Labs

(00:49:35) Why is it money intensive and talent intensive?

(00:53:59) What should people study in college?

(00:59:24) Byrne is hiring an associate!

(01:02:13) Outro

---

LINKS:

Byrne’s writing: https://thediff.co

---

X / TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)

https://twitter.com/ByrneHobart (Byrne)

https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)

This week, writer Byrne Hobart and investor Erik Torenberg discuss the economics of conferences and cities, rise of meme stocks, future of coding in the age of AI and more. beehiiv: Head to https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months.

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

---

This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected].

---

SPONSORS:

BABBEL: 🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at https://babbel.com/torenberg

BEEHIIV: Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 Head to https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months

---

RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

Patrick McKenzie (@patio11) talks to experts who understand the complicated but not unknowable systems we rely on. You might be surprised at how quickly Patrick and his guests can put you in the top 1% of understanding for stock trading, tech hiring, and more.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOH

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/complex-systems-with-patrick-mckenzie-patio11/id1753399812

-

📈 ECON 102 W/ NOAH SMITH - Keeping econ entertaining - Noahpinion author Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg break down business news and politics every week.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOH

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812

---

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:20) Economics of conferences vs Economics of cities

(04:09) Historical and modern city dynamics

(06:02) Controversies and discussions at conferences

(10:00) Rise of meme stocks and retail investors

(17:38) Sponsor: Babbel | Beehiiv

(20:10) High volatility in stocks

(23:10) Cultural influence of 4chan and Reddit

(28:33) Value capture in startups and capital structure

(31:30) Exploring self-funding and investment strategies

(37:14) Concept of cross-investing in people

(45:05) Value of learning to code

(50:15) Future of therapy in an AI-driven world

(57:56) Impact of AI on engineering jobs

(01:00:28) Comparing software and media

(01:03:50) Wrap

---

LINKS:

Byrne’s writing: https://thediff.co

---

X / TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)

https://twitter.com/ByrneHobart (Byrne)

https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)

---

For guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected]

On this week's episode of The Riff, Erik and Byrne discuss populist cycles, why billionaires buy media companies, how to invest if you think AGI is coming soon, and more. beehiiv: Head to https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months.

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

---

This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected].

---

SPONSORS:

BABBEL: 🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at babbel.com/zen

BEEHIIV: Head to beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 Head to https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months

---

RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

Patrick McKenzie (@patio11) talks to experts who understand the complicated but not unknowable systems we rely on. You might be surprised at how quickly Patrick and his guests can put you in the top 1% of understanding for stock trading, tech hiring, and more.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOH

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812

-

📈 ECON 102 W/ NOAH SMITH - Keeping econ entertaining - Noahpinion author Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg break down business news and politics every week.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOH

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812

---

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:21) Populists vs technocrats

(07:37) Role of media and influence

(14:02) View on counter elites

(15:41) Sponsor: Babbel | Beehiiv

(18:51) Israel on PR war

(22:59) On Big Tech Has No Power At All by Curtis Yarvin

(26:42) Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover

(30:14) Comparing media ownership: Bezos vs. Musk

(38:42) Leopold Aschenbrenner’s situational awareness paper

(44:26) Investing strategies in the age of AGI

(46:38) Role of Venture Capital

(50:05) High frequency trading explained

(53:42) Prediction markets and information transmission

(54:26) Wrap

---

LINKS:

Byrne’s writing: https://thediff.co

---

X / TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik)

https://twitter.com/ByrneHobart (Byrne)

https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)

---

For guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected]