DiscoverThe Economy of Nothing Podcast116 | Optimized Capitalism
116 | Optimized Capitalism

116 | Optimized Capitalism

Update: 2025-10-28
Share

Description

In Episode 116 of The Economy of Nothing, Mike Allen and Mike Bedont explore how capitalism has learned to fail profitably.
Starting with a broken washing machine and ending in Hollywood's AI assembly line, the conversation tracks how everything — from appliances to art — is now optimized for replacement.

Topics include:

  • Planned obsolescence and the "five-year washer" problem

  • Netflix, Disney+, and the streaming arms race

  • Warner Bros. Discovery's failed Paramount bid

  • The rise of private-money studios like Skydance

  • AI in Hollywood and the future of creative labor

  • The debut of Mr. Green's Pilot School concept

  • Oceans 14 and why every heist movie feels like propaganda

  • Stocks, antitrust, and the illusion of infinite growth

"It's not broken — it's optimized."

🎧 Listen on Libsyn, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
📺 Watch the Visual Radio cut on Patreon.
🔗 patreon.com/economyofnothing

Comments 
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

116 | Optimized Capitalism

116 | Optimized Capitalism

Mike Bedont