"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg

In this episode, Erik sits down with Agnes Callard, a philosopher and essayist who specializes in ancient philosophy, ethics, and Socratic communication. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/cee0a35b-4a10-4c3a-a988-7d9b3d7b7db4  — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess  — SPONSORS: 🎙️Dealcraft | Insights from Great Negotiators Explore the art of high-stakes negotiations through fascinating stories and practical insights from world-renowned dealmakers and diplomats in Dealcraft: Insights from Great Negotiators, hosted by Harvard Business School professor Jim Sebenius. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NdYGg0SgCwgBNMk7EHnB6   Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dealcraft-insights-from-great-negotiators/id1723095052   📝 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 notion.com/upstreampod  🛍️ 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 💥 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 @AgnesCallard @turpentinemedia

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 show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/af273f63-9f1b-49e1-8fed-28296237498b  — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess  — RECOMMENDED PODCAST:  🎙️Moment of Zen Every week, Erik Torenberg, Dan Romero, Antonio Garcia Martinez and frequent special guests discuss what's happening in technology, business, politics, and beyond. Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15KYOzvDzAQvqX0z0SpHEJ  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moment-of-zen/id1661672738 — SPONSORS: 📝 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 notion.com/upstreampod  🛍️ 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 💥 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: Richard’s newsletter: https://www.richardhanania.com/  — X / TWITTER: @eriktorenberg @RichardHanania @turpentinemedia

Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg tackle the shift in economic research from empirical studies to "big think" theories, critically examine Acemoglu's work on institutions and AI's impact on jobs, and debate the future of economics as a science. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/d1548747-43db-4b71-b0a8-af285d3deafd  — 📰Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess  — RECOMMENDED PODCAST: 🎙️ECON 102 W/ NOAH SMITH Keeping econ entertaining - Noahpinion author Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg break down business news and politics every week. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1696419056  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6q7Gn5lP8TTtBPuV1NJSGs  — SPONSORS: 🎙️Dealcraft | Insights from Great Negotiators Explore the art of high-stakes negotiations through fascinating stories and practical insights from world-renowned dealmakers and diplomats in Dealcraft: Insights from Great Negotiators, hosted by Harvard Business School professor Jim Sebenius. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NdYGg0SgCwgBNMk7EHnB6   Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dealcraft-insights-from-great-negotiators/id1723095052   📝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 notion.com/upstreampod  💥 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: Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/  Why Nations Fail: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_Nations_Fail  — X / TWITTER: @noahpinion @eriktorenberg @turpentinemedia

This week on Upstream, Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja explore the global demographic crisis, examining plummeting fertility rates worldwide and their potentially catastrophic implications for humanity's future. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/0d2557ac-2da6-4087-b6b4-b55f326b47fd  — 📰Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess  — RECOMMENDED PODCAST:  🎙️ ‪@LivePlayerswithSamoBurja‬  Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg provide analysis of the news and case studies of Live Players, as well as key institutions and technologies that make up the global power landscape. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-players-with-samo-burja-and-erik-torenberg/id1718925188  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1?si=707931ed48da4437  — SPONSORS: 🎙️ 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 📝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 notion.com/upstreampod  💥 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: Bismark Analysis: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ Who is Portugal For? by Vasco Queirós: https://www.palladiummag.com/2024/02/23/who-is-portugal-for/ The Long Now Foundation: https://longnow.org/  — X / TWITTER: @eriktorenberg @samoburja @turpentinemedia

In this episode, Dr. Michael Levin, Distinguished Professor of Biology at Tufts University, joins Nathan Labenz of The Cognitive Revolution Podcast to discuss embodied minds, his research into limb regeneration and collective intelligence, cognitive light cones, and much more. Dr. Levin and the Levin Lab work at the intersection of biology, artificial life, bioengineering, synthetic morphology, and cognitive science. Nathan just recorded a second episode with Michael Levin and Leo Pio Lopez here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0PsvToTZVtZkdTemV6ntUk?si=85e4614f079a4fcd  — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess  — RECOMMENDED PODCAST:  🎙️The Cognitive Revolution Podcast The Cognitive Revolution is a podcast about AI where hosts Nathan Labenz and Erik Torenberg interview the builders on the edge of AI and explore the dramatic shift it will unlock over the next decades.  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yHyok3M3BjqzR0VB5MSyk?si=7357ec31ac424043   Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cognitive-revolution-ai-builders-researchers-and/id1669813431   — SPONSORS: 🎙️ 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 📝 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 notion.com/upstreampod  💥 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: The Levin Lab and Dr. Michael Levin’s research: https://drmichaellevin.org/resources/  Dr Michael Levin’s blog: https://thoughtforms.life/about/  Tufts University Faculty Profile: https://as.tufts.edu/biology/people/faculty/michael-levin  Michael Levin @ Wyss Institute: https://wyss.harvard.edu/team/associate-faculty/michael-levin-ph-d/  Dr. Levin’s Research on Limb Regeneration: https://news.uchicago.edu/how-bioelectricity-could-regrow-limbs-and-organs  — X / TWITTER: @labenz (Nathan) @drmichaellevin (Michael) @CogRev_Podcast @TurpentineMedia — TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (04:50) Xenobots, anthrobots and the other creatures created by Mike Levin (08:50) Bioelectric memory rewriting (14:09) Sponsors: Dealcraft | Notion (16:17) The difficulty of conducting simulations, which involve running forward passes to predict and alter electrical patterns (20:38) The concept of backpropagation and mode switching in AI models (23:12) Why humans do not regenerate their limbs (37:10) Sponsor: Squad (38:19) Learning from small and biological systems onto the concept of possible emergence (45:01) The criticality of multiple scale questions and would a single scale? (55:40) The concept of the cognitive light cone (59:34) Advice on habits of mind and suggestions for inspiration on the AI side (1:13:19) Mike's suggested directions for the AI developers (1:23:41) Wrap

Bryan Johnson joins Antonio Garcia Martinez and Erik Torenberg to discuss the deeper spiritual beliefs behind the "Don't Die" movement in the face of AI and the inadequacy of human clock speed. They cover religions as death cults, long-termism vs engineering your own longevity, and Bryan's recent interview on Tucker Carlson. — 🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/ — SPONSORS: 🎙️ 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 📝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 notion.com/upstreampod  💥 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: Bryan Johnson on Tucker Carlson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr4E0jEjQMM&t=0s Bryan Johnson's Blueprint/ Don't Die: https://protocol.bryanjohnson.com/DONT-DIE-by-Zero   (Book recommendation) The Postmortal by Drew Magary: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10673576-the-postmortal  — X / TWITTER: @bryan_johnson (Bryan) @eriktorenberg (Erik) @agm.eth (Antonio) @moz_podcast (Moment of Zen) @TurpentineMedia — TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (00:44) Bryan Johnson's long-term perspective (02:07) The intersection of technology and longevity (06:31) The concept of the network state (07:59) Sponsors: Dealcraft | Notion (14:38) AI as the steward of knowledge (18:18) Philosophical implications of AI and longevity (35:14) The future of AI and human culture (35:49) Rabbinic rulings and AI (36:10) Sponsor: Squad (37:18) Debating the impact of AI on society (38:40) The speed of change and societal adaptation (40:28) Existential risks and AI (43:23) Human resilience in crisis (44:43) The philosophy of 'Don't Die' (55:21) The role of birth rates in society (57:31) Wrap

This week on Upstream, we’re releasing a conversation between Patrick McKenzie and Byrne Hobart where they navigate the compelling terrains of in-app purchases and restaurant economics. They dive into the monetization strategies of video games and the influence of food delivery platforms like DoorDash on pricing and menu designs and explore the bridge between finance, technology, and human behavior through airport currency exchange models and the emerging role of AI in economic data processing. — 🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/ — SPONSORS: 📝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 notion.com/upstreampod  💥 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 PODCASTS: 🎙️Complex Systems with Patrick McKenzie 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 🎙️The Riff with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg Investor and writer of the popular newsletter The Diff, Byrne Hobart, and co-host Erik Torenberg discuss today’s major inflection points in technology, business, and markets – and help listeners build a diversified portfolio of trends and ideas for the future.  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rANlV54GCARLgMOtpkzKt?si=fa34868d46b94584  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-riff-with-byrne-hobart-and-erik-torenberg/id1716646486  — LINKS: Bits About Money: https://www.bitsaboutmoney.com/  The Diff: https://thediff.co/  — X / TWITTER: https://twitter.com/byrnehobart  https://twitter.com/patio11  https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod  https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia  — TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (01:05) The economics of in-app purchases (04:45) Understanding consumer behavior in gaming (07:52) The role of high spenders in the gaming industry (20:48) Bespoke software and high-end customization (24:14) Sponsors: Notion | Squad (28:04) The evolution of restaurant websites (35:27) The future of delivery apps and restaurant economics (43:39) The economics of portion sizes (45:24) Restaurant groups and concepts (48:44) The role of certainty in dining (49:09) Business meals and social signals (51:18) The evolution of fast food (55:03) The tech cafeteria phenomenon (01:02:43) The power of written records (01:06:31) Exploring ai and memory (01:13:58) The future of search and ai (01:25:10) Wrap

In this episode of Upstream, Erik Torenberg sits in with social psychologist Jonathan Haidt to discuss his book, 'The Anxious Generation.' They dive into the severe impact of social media on youth mental health and explore Jonathan's recommendations for smartphone and social media usage among teens. They discuss the broader implications for democracy and the political divide, focusing on how these issues are intertwined with the tech industry.  — 🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/ — SPONSORS: 📝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 notion.com/upstreampod  💥 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: Jonathan's newsletter: https://www.afterbabel.com/ The Anxious Generation website: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/ (Book) The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness: https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036  — X / TWITTER: https://twitter.com/JonHaidt  https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg  https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod  https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia — TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (01:07) Evolution of Jonathan's work: from moral psychology to 'The Anxious Generation' (02:21) The impact of social media on teen mental health (04:15) The tragedy of overprotection and underprotection (07:37) Pushback and debates on social media's impact (12:48) The moral panic argument and its flaws (17:48) Sponsors: Notion | Squad (24:34) The role of algorithms and social media dynamics (27:33) Liberal vs. conservative responses to social media (28:47) Exploring After Babel (29:03) The rise of anxiety and depression: a data-driven analysis (29:19) Gender, politics, and mental health: a closer look (31:20) The role of religion and community in mental health (32:00) Parenting styles and their impact on youth (32:39) The political implications of mental health trends (33:21) Smartphone recommendations for a healthier childhood (34:21) The broader impact of smartphones on society (35:02) Schools and the loneliness epidemic (41:08) The role of tech companies in youth well-being (42:27) Addressing criticisms and misconceptions (46:25) The importance of design over content in social media (56:09) Wrap

This week on Upstream, former Netflix HR executive Patty McCord sits down with Nolan Church and Kelli Dragovich to dive deep into the creation and impact of Netflix's renowned culture deck, hailed as a pivotal document in Silicon Valley. Patty shares the evolution of the deck over 10 years with Netflix's management team, the challenges of scaling a rapidly growing company, and the importance of building high-performance teams. They discuss the intricacies of leadership, feedback, and the evolving workplace culture, post-pandemic. Patty also offers a candid look at HR's role in nurturing dynamic work environments. — 🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/ — SPONSORS: Dealcraft | Insights from Great Negotiators Explore the art of high-stakes negotiations through fascinating stories and practical insights from world-renowned dealmakers and diplomats in Dealcraft: Insights from Great Negotiators, hosted by Harvard Business School professor Jim Sebenius. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NdYGg0SgCwgBNMk7EHnB6  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dealcraft-insights-from-great-negotiators/id1723095052  Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at Fundrise.com/upstream. Elevate your investment game with Altea by Alts.co. Discover vetted deals in unconventional asset classes, network with captivating individuals, and indulge in exclusive travel experiences. Ready to invest in pro sports teams or film financing? Apply now at www.alts.co/upstream and redefine your investment journey. 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: 🎙️HR Heretics with Nolan Church and Kelli Dragovich What will it take to construct the next generation of incredible businesses – and where can people leaders have the most business impact? Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1WML9AfadzaH9WCR4HHqbZ?si=c40b0dd176c64e43  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hr-heretics-how-cpos-chros-founders-and-boards-build/id1712407491  — LINKS: HR Heretics Newsletter: https://hrheretics.substack.com/ Netflix Culture Deck: https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/culture-1798664/1798664 Powerful by Patty McCord: https://pattymccord.com/book/ — TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (00:47)The true story behind Netflix’s culture deck (02:36) High Performance cultures actually take 4-5 years to pull off (05:07) Why releasing the culture deck changed Netflix’s hiring immediately (06:56) What to do when employees are averse to change and delivering effective feedback (13:43) Dealcraft & Fundrise Ads (15:47) Why execs need to get used to short tenures (18:18) If you’re successful your company will change (20:40) Retention and the truth we need to tell employees about career pathing (22:15) How Reed Hastings hired Patty McCord (25:54) How HR officers can get a seat at the table (29:32) The P&L is the most important HR metric (31:26) Are HR leaders getting soft? (33:47) Alts & Squad Ads (35:36) What Patty would tell her younger self (37:16) Why an HR officer is a business leader, not a business partner (39:47) Fixing equal pay and compensation strategy (41:43) Why HR keeps doing stupid stuff and needs to abandon best practices (46:25) What HR can learn from product managers (50:59) Compartmentalization and terminations (53:27) If Patty rewrote her book, she would change the chapter about relationships at work (54:37) Why HR people invite inappropriate therapist-style relationships and why having arguments at work should be normalized (01:02:43) Does Patty miss being in the arena? (01:05:11)The portions of the workforce most impacted right now

This week on Upstream, we revisit a 2023 conversation between Jacob Helberg, Delian Asparouhov, Christian Garrett and Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries and Oculus VR where they discuss the intersection of Silicon Valley and U.S. defense technology. They tackle the challenges of defense tech innovation, the influence of Chinese technology, and the necessity for strategic tech independence. They also covered bio-engineered defense systems, AI-powered military applications, and space militarization, emphasizing the need for strategic autonomy and meritocratic practices in technology. — 🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/ — SPONSORS: 🎙️Dealcraft | Insights from Great Negotiators Explore the art of high-stakes negotiations through fascinating stories and practical insights from world-renowned dealmakers and diplomats in Dealcraft: Insights from Great Negotiators, hosted by Harvard Business School professor Jim Sebenius. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NdYGg0SgCwgBNMk7EHnB6  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dealcraft-insights-from-great-negotiators/id1723095052  💡 Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at Fundrise.com/upstream. Elevate your investment game with Altea by Alts.co. Discover vetted deals in unconventional asset classes, network with captivating individuals, and indulge in exclusive travel experiences. Ready to invest in pro sports teams or film financing? Apply now at www.alts.co/upstream and redefine your investment journey. 💥 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: The Hill & Valley Forum 2024: https://www.thehillandvalleyforum.com/  Anduril Industries: https://www.anduril.com/  — FOLLOW ON X/TWITTER:  @PalmerLuckey @jacobhelberg @zebulgar @CGarrett_15 @turpentinemedia — TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Episode Preview (02:20) Shifting dynamics between the government and Silicon Valley since Palmer started Anduril Industries (06:40) Biggest factors contributing to new demand for defense technology (08:05) Evolving reaction of tech investors and talent to defense technology (13:16) Working with the U.S. Department of Defense (19:00) Sponsors: Dealcraft | Fundrise (20:12) Exporting strategic technology to China: patents, AI, sensor fusion (23:32) How can more tech companies compete for DoD contracts? (26:01) Lobbying (27:32) Building Anduril Industries on first principles (31:06) Banning Chinese hardware and software (like TikTok) (39:51) Sponsors: Alts | Squad (43:04) Can the US pull off a second Cold War victory with China? (47:24) Immigration reform and supply chain disruption (56:37) Palmer’s picks for the most impactful strategic technology on the horizon (01:09:35) Wrap

In this episode of Upstream, Erik Torenberg is joined by economist and futurist Robin Hanson.  They dissect the intricacies of human motives, the psychology of status, and the profound impact of self-deception on behavior. Robin shares his revolutionary ideas for reforming academia and his pioneering work on prediction markets and his thoughts on the future of innovation amidst falling fertility rates. — 🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/ — SPONSORS: 💡 Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at Fundrise.com/upstream. Elevate your investment game with Altea by Alts.co. Discover vetted deals in unconventional asset classes, network with captivating individuals, and indulge in exclusive travel experiences. Ready to invest in pro sports teams or film financing? Apply now at www.alts.co/upstream and redefine your investment journey. 💥 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 PODCASTS: 🎙️ 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. Apple: https://link.chtbl.com/3CG3TbHY?sid=Turpentine 🎙️History 102 with WhatifAltHist Every week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihm Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj — LINKS: The Elephant in the Brain, Robin Hanson and Kevin Simler https://amzn.asia/d/82WLQX6  Robin Hanson and Agnes Callard’s podcast Minds Almost Meeting https://mindsalmostmeeting.com/  Agnes Callard on Upstream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g2F0e-LZjM  — TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (04:25) How Robin developed his theory of the Sacred (07:52)The Sacred binds people together (16:05) Why elites drive innovation (17:43) Sponsor: Dealcraft | Fundrise (19:48) Plebeians, wonks, and plutocrats (36:10) Gossip networks (37:00) Sponsors: Ats | Squad (39:08) Proposal to fix academia (45:31) Falsehoods (01:05:05) Double agents in our minds (01:08:31) What is cringe? (01:12:27) Therapy (01:16:55) How falling fertility will affect innovation (01:23:43) Social change strategies for reviving fertility rates (01:25:05) Wrap

In this episode of Upstream, Erik Torenberg interviews Patrick McKenzie (patio11) about the intricacies of the financial system, focusing on banking, money laundering, and regulatory compliance. They discuss several of Patrick’s essays from Bits About Money.  Patrick discusses the three stages of money laundering - placement, layering, and integration - and how the financial system has been deputized to act as law enforcement. The conversation touches on the unintended consequences of strict regulations, including their impact on economic growth and financial inclusion. — 🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/ — SPONSORS: 💡 Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at Fundrise.com/upstream. Elevate your investment game with Altea by Alts.co. Discover vetted deals in unconventional asset classes, network with captivating individuals, and indulge in exclusive travel experiences. Ready to invest in pro sports teams or film financing? Apply now at www.alts.co/upstream and redefine your investment journey. 💥 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 PODCASTS: 🎙️ 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. Apple: https://link.chtbl.com/3CG3TbHY?sid=Turpentine 🎙️Complex Systems with Patrick McKenzie 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 — LINKS: Patrick’s Newsletter: https://www.bitsaboutmoney.com/ Seeing Like a Bank: https://www.bitsaboutmoney.com/archive/seeing-like-a-bank/ KYC and AMI: https://www.bitsaboutmoney.com/archive/kyc-and-aml-beyond-the-acronyms/ Money Laundering and AML Compliance: https://www.bitsaboutmoney.com/archive/money-laundering-and-aml-compliance/ — FOLLOW ON X/TWITTER:  @eriktorenberg @patio11 @turpentinemedia — TIMESTAMPS:  (00:00) Intro (01:02) Discussing 'Seeing Like a State' and big tech (03:10) Big tech's competence and failures (07:20) AI and centralized systems (09:23) Crypto vs. AI: political implications (10:58) Sponsors: Dealcraft | Fundrise (13:03) Banking systems and customer service (14:28) Structural issues in banking (22:41) Future of banking and customer service (25:14) Regulatory risks and compliance in banking (28:21) The harsh realities of financial decisions (29:05) Geopolitical conflicts and financial institutions (29:53) The role of banks in delivering bad news (31:32) Sponsors: Alts | Squad (33:41) Understanding KYC and AML regulations (37:35) Complexities of money laundering (44:42) The burden of compliance on financial institutions (51:14) Balancing financial services and crime interdiction (53:52) Wrap

This week on Upstream, we’re featuring a discussion between Samo Burja, Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg about the inherent differences between civilizations and their impact on history and politics. They explore the parallels and distinctions between ancient civilizations like Babylon and modern entities like Silicon Valley, the influence of Abrahamic religions, and how societal patterns challenge our current understanding.  — 🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/ — SPONSORS: 💡 Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at Fundrise.com/upstream. 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 “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign. 💥 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 PODCASTS: 🎙️Live Players Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg provide analysis of the news and case studies of Live Players, as well as key institutions and technologies that make up the global power landscape. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1?si=01ed191c74264f55  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-players-with-samo-burja-and-erik-torenberg/id1718925188 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivePlayerswithSamoBurja 🎙️History 102 with WhatifAltHist Every week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihm Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj 🎙️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. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSz Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-wont-last-with-keith-rabois-kevin-ryan-logan/id1765665937 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast — LINKS: Bismark Analysis: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ Whatifalthist YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/Whatifalthist — FOLLOW ON X/TWITTER:  @eriktorenberg @samoburja @whatifalthist @turpentinemedia — TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Intro (01:00) A deep dive into civilizational differences (03:06) The influence of Abrahamic religions (07:38) Classical vs. modern western civilization (12:16) The rise and fall of civilizations (16:54) Literacy and its impact on societies (20:25) Sponsors: Fundrise | Brave (22:43) Pre-modern Feminism (27:28) Modern civilization and its roots (36:20) Sponsor: Squad (37:29) Debt slavery and social breakdown (42:58) The future of religion and technology (54:37) Obscure civilizations and their impact (59:21) Wrap

Erik Torenberg is joined by Noor Siddiqui, founder and CEO of Orchid, to explore groundbreaking advancements in reproductive technology, especially the world's first whole genome embryo screening. They dive into genome sequencing, IVF, and the ethical implications of these technologies, highlighting their potential to significantly reduce the incidence of major diseases. Noor shares her journey of bringing Orchid's innovative solutions from research to market, along with the importance of polygenic scores and the evolving societal views on reproductive tech.  — 🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/ — SPONSORS: 💡 Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at Fundrise.com/upstream. 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 “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign. 💥 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 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/this-wont-last-with-keith-rabois-kevin-ryan-logan/id1765665937  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSz YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast 🎙️History 102 with WhatifAltHist Every week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more. Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihm Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj — LINKS: Orchid: https://www.orchidhealth.com/ — FOLLOW:  X / TWITTER: @noor_siddiqui_ (Noor) @OrchidInc (Orchid) @eriktorenberg (Erik) @upstream__pod @turpentinemedia — TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Intro (01:20) What is Orchid? (04:07) Genome sequencing for embryos: What Orchid has accomplished (06:53) The breakthrough that enabled Orchid's genome sequencing (08:25) The impact and significance of the polygenic risk score (11:48) What is IVF (15:11) Sponsors: Fundrise | Brave (17:22) Concerns and stigmas around reproductive technology (24:19 On the Gattaca future where parents create perfect children (26:02) Moral panic around longevity (28:41) Anything that can improve things can be used in very hostile ways (31:37) What are the norms around having kids going to be 30-40 years from now (35:02) Sponsor: Squad (36:12) Noor's thoughts on declining fertility rates (41:33) Matchmaking and dating (47:38) Is the decline of men a real thing? (49:31) Increasing fertility rates, moving the culture, and the negative effects of fertility collapse (1:06:56) Trying out Orchid and how the test works (1:08:11) Wrap

Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja are joined by Ben Landau-Taylor, a Senior Analyst at Bismarck Analysis. Ben recently published an article in Palladium Magazine about the pervasive problem of fraud in academia. They discussed how fraudulent activities, particularly in medical research, often go undetected due to flawed peer review processes and institutional protectionism. They explore key cases, and possible solutions, including external watchdogs, intellectual authorities and regulatory bodies in maintaining academic integrity. — 🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://www.turpentinenetwork.co/ — SPONSORS: 💡 Level up your portfolio with access to pre-IPO companies via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. Access a $125M+ fund of cutting edge tech companies including AI frontrunners, now available to individual investors. Start your journey at https://fundrise.com/upstream/. 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 “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign. 💥 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 PODCASTS: 🎙️Live Players with Samo Burja. The "Live Players" podcast is where Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg chart the key individuals shaping our future from first principles. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-players-with-samo-burja-and-erik-torenberg/id1718925188 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1 🎙️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: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765665937 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSz YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast 🎙️History 102 with WhatifAltHist Every week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihm YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj — LINKS: The Academic Culture of Fraud: https://www.palladiummag.com/2024/08/02/the-academic-culture-of-fraud/  Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/  Bismarck Analysis: https://www.bismarckanalysis.com/  — TIMESTAMPS: (0:00) Intro (2:22) Ben’s article: "The Academic Culture of Fraud" (4:26) Examples of fraudulent studies and researchers (Sylvain Lesné case) (6:21) Incentives and cultural factors enabling fraud (8:24) Historical context and modern academia (11:36) Scientific fraud and its consequences (13:38) Intellectual authority and legitimacy (19:50) Fundrise & Brave Ads (28:50) External pressure on academia (30:53) Role of journalism and other institutions in exposing academic fraud (33:47) The need for external oversight in academia (34:13) The complex relationship between the government and academia (36:14) Proposals for scientific integrity (39:03) Squad Ad (42:59) Challenges in science and bureaucracy (46:42) Nonprofit solutions for scientific fraud (52:33) Venture capital & scientific integrity (57:12) Bismarck Analysis and its work in strategic research & consulting (1:00:04) Wrap