Episodes
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Today on Upstream, we’re releasing Patrick MacKenzie's interview with Azeem Azhar which originally aired in February 2025 on Complex Systems. They discuss the economics and infrastructure of data centers, comparing historical infrastructure rollouts to modern AI-driven data center needs, and explore the implications of exponential power demands, including innovations like small modular nuclear reactors and geothermal energy.
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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
—
SPONSORS:
☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/turpentine
🎯 Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
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—
LINKS:
Exponential View: https://www.exponentialview.co/
OpenAI Hails $500 Billion Stargate Plan: 'More Compute Leads to Better Models': https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-sp500-nasdaq-live-01-22-2025/card/openai-to-release-new-gpt-model-ai-agents-soon-MrUYupSuChEdJh07oIWp
Byrne Hobart’s ‘Boom: Bubbles and the End of Stagnatiom’: https://www.amazon.com/Boom-Bubbles-Stagnation-Byrne-Hobart/dp/1953953476
Inside the World's Largest AI Supercluster xAI Colossus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf8EPSBZU7Y&t=142s
Leopold Aschenbrenner’s SITUATIONAL AWARENESS: The Decade Ahead: https://situational-awareness.ai/
Dave Kasten’s The Essay Meta: https://davekasten.substack.com/p/welcome-to-the-essay-meta
Travis Dauwalter’s Complex Systems episode: https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/episodes/electricity-grids-travis-dauwalter/
Austin Vernon (Fracking) Complex Systems: https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/episodes/fracking-austin-vernon/
Project InnerSpace Resources: https://projectinnerspace.org/resources/
Bloom Filters Explained: https://systemdesign.one/bloom-filters-explained/
—
X / TWITTER:
@azeem
@patio11
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia -
Today on Upstream, Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg dive into the wide-ranging effects of technological change on media and society. They cover the AI debate, blogging's social impact, AI's influence on search and data, the changing news industry, foreign aid cuts, and the rise of new tech elites.
This episode originally aired on The Riff (March 11, 2025).
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RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:
🎙️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.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-riff-with-byrne-hobart-and-erik-torenberg/id1716646486
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rANlV54GCARLgMOtpkzKt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRiffPodcast
—
SPONSORS:
☁️Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/turpentine
🎯Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
🕵️♂️Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code UPSTREAM at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/upstream
💥 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:
Byrne’s writing: https://thediff.co
—
X / TWITTER:
@byrnehobart
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
AI's impact on written content is overstated despite its technical achievements.
The social adjustment to blogging was more disruptive than our current adjustment to AI-generated content.
Traditional media eventually incorporated blogging and adapted to different publishing cadences.
"Real news" remains the least lucrative part of the news business.
Media outlets drive partisan narratives through topic selection, not just content framing.
Readers generally don't want nuanced views that might challenge their existing beliefs.
Bezos positioned the Washington Post to serve growth-oriented progressives and non-Trumpist conservatives.
Elon Musk's "Doge" review of USAID may use a strategy of cutting drastically then restoring essential services.
Programs like PEPFAR (AIDS relief) have extremely high returns on investment that shouldn't be overlooked.
US military spending could be viewed as a form of foreign aid by preventing global conflicts.
Karp critiques tech for excelling at "delivering delightful trivialities" but neglecting serious national challenges.
Silicon Valley has shifted from "atheist libertarianism" to more nationalist viewpoints.
Companies like Palantir represent a public-private synthesis of government capability.
Tech companies had anti-establishment cultures when small but now are the establishment themselves.
Education polarization has strongly influenced political alignments in the tech industry.
When outsiders become insiders, they need to adopt more pragmatic governance approaches. -
Episodes manquant?
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Today on Upstream, we’re releasing an episode from Modern Relationships which originally aired on February 28, 2025 where Erik Torenberg interviews philosophy professors Agnes Callard and Arnold Brooks about their unconventional marriage, the role of philosophy in their relationship, the impact of their public profile, and how they balance personal and philosophical life together.
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RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:
🎙️Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. This season's guests include: Delian Asparouhov & Nadia Asparouhova, Kristen Berman & Phil Levin, Rob Henderson, and Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod
—
SPONSORS:
☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/turpentine
🎯 Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
🕵️♂️ Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code UPSTREAM at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/upstream
💥 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:
New Yorker article on Agnes and Arnold, by Rachel Aviv: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/03/13/agnes-callard-profile-marriage-philosophy
Agnes Callard: https://philosophy.uchicago.edu/faculty/a-callard
Arnold Brooks: https://philosophy.uchicago.edu/arnold-brooks
Pre-order Agnes Callard's new book Open Socrates: https://wwnorton.com/books/open-socrates
Agnes Callard on Upstream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JotaCsaG3Y
—
X / TWITTER:
@AgnesCallard
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Agnes Callard and Arnold Brooks are philosophy professors at University of Chicago who met when she was his teacher, leading to her divorce from Ben and marriage to Arnold.
Agnes was initially attracted to Arnold's remarkable ability to interpret Aristotle, which she considered more impressive than conventional attractive qualities.
Arnold was drawn to Agnes as a "fellow philosopher" in a specific way he hadn't experienced with anyone else before.
Their philosophical disagreement centers on whether marriage is something achievable to build upon (Arnold's view) or an indefinite pursuit toward an ideal that may be beyond reach (Agnes's view).
Agnes provocatively stated "marriage is a preparation for divorce" - not meaning marriages should end, but that relationships require navigating difficult circumstances.
They maintain an unusual living arrangement where Agnes, Arnold, and her ex-husband Ben all live together and co-parent.
Arnold says his primary attraction is simply witnessing Agnes's way of living, which doesn't require reciprocation.
They caution against basing relationships solely on reciprocal goods (I support you, you support me).
Their approach to raising "interesting" children involves asking them abstract questions rather than concrete ones.
Their New Yorker profile brought public attention that Agnes believes says more about readers' fascination than about their actual relationship. -
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the limitations of populist politics, the difficulty populists face in effecting change despite electoral wins, and the influence of digital democracy on modern governance.
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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.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-players-with-samo-burja-and-erik-torenberg/id1718925188
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1?si=01ed191c74264f55
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivePlayerswithSamoBurja
—
SPONSORS:
☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/turpentine
🎯 Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
🕵️♂️ Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code UPSTREAM at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/upstream
💥 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/
—
X / TWITTER:
@samoburja
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Populists win elections but struggle to govern effectively against entrenched bureaucracies.
Modern populism confronts administrative states, unlike historical populism that opposed monarchies.
The administrative state was ironically strengthened by early 20th century populist movements.
Case studies (Hungary, Brexit) show winning elections doesn't guarantee successful implementation.
Trump faces resistance from within the Republican Party, limiting his appointment power.
Elon Musk and X.com provide Trump stronger tools than he had in 2016.
Left populism offers direct benefits while right populism promises protection from threats.
Samo suggests tech elites could pool money to counter traditional Republican donors' influence.
Future Democratic success may come from candidates combining progressive policies with family-oriented messaging.
Populism emerged through internet's bypass of traditional media gatekeepers.
Western democracies need a new balance between populist movements and administrative institutions. -
In this Upstream episode, Erik Torenberg sits down with military historian Victor Davis Hanson. They discuss the future of Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, the evolution of the American left, and Donald Trump's potential future legacy.
—
📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
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SPONSORS:
☁️Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/turpentine
🎯 Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
🕵️♂️ Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code UPSTREAM at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/upstream
💥 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:
Official site: https://victorhanson.com/
The Victor Davis Hanson podcast: https://victorhanson.com/podcasts/
Hoover Institution - featured publications and videos: https://www.hoover.org/profiles/victor-davis-hanson
Erik's substack: https://eriktorenberg.substack.com/
—
X / TWITTER:
@VDHanson
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Trump's second term will likely be less chaotic due to appointees who align with his agenda.
The Republican party is now more unified without "Never Trumpers."
Trump expanded his coalition by winning significant portions of Hispanic and Black male votes.
JD Vance is positioned as a strong 2028 candidate due to his background and communication skills.
Europe will likely move politically rightward due to economic and defense inadequacies.
Germany maintains trade surpluses while not meeting NATO defense spending requirements.
The US-European relationship has become unbalanced with Europeans criticizing while depending on American defense.
The Ukraine-Russia conflict will likely end with a DMZ rather than Ukraine reclaiming all territory.
Putin invaded Ukraine because he perceived weakness in US leadership.
Western interference in Ukrainian politics contributed to tensions.
Trump's peace plan includes strategic investment in Ukrainian minerals near the DMZ.
There's inconsistency in how the US approaches Ukraine versus Israel regarding civilian casualties.
China is less likely to invade Taiwan compared to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Pacific allies are actively rearming against Chinese threats.
New warfare technologies like drones may prove more effective for Taiwan's defense than traditional carriers.
Israel struggles to convert tactical victories into strategic resolution.
"Abraham Accords" allies have complex motivations including concerns about Iran.
Western democracies struggle with asymmetric warfare and maintaining resolve for definitive victory.
Democrats should return to Clinton-era policies on borders, crime, and budgets.
Democrats are controlled by a hard left with positions only 20% of Americans support.
Trump is transforming American politics from race-based to class-based coalition building.
Republicans are becoming "the party of the middle class" while Democrats represent coastal elites and the subsidized poor. -
In this episode of Upstream, we’re releasing Erik Torenberg’s interview from 2023 with Kevin Kelly, founding executive editor of Wired Magazine, discussing Kevin’s new advice book, the impact of gratitude, and how technology, especially AI, interacts with and shapes human existence and culture.
—
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🙏Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
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RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:
🎙️ Second Opinion
Join Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz and Luba Greenwood as they bring influential entrepreneurs, experts and investors into the ring for candid conversations at the frontlines of healthcare and digital health every week.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A8NwQE976s32zdBbZw6bv
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/second-opinion-with-christina-farr-ash-zenooz-md-luba/id1759267211
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SecondOpinionwithChristinaFarr
—
SPONSORS:
☁️Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/turpentine
🎯Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
🕵️♂️Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code UPSTREAM at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/upstream
💥 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:
Kevin Kelly's book: Excellent Advice for Living: https://www.amazon.com/Excellent-Advice-Living-Wisdom-Earlier/dp/0593654528
—
X / TWITTER:
@kevin2kelly
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Kevin Kelly published an advice book featuring "telegraphic aphorisms" rather than stories, which better suits his style.
Kevin believes gratitude unlocks all virtues by connecting us to others through recognizing what we've been given.
Emotional responses work faster than logical thinking, which is why people remember how you made them feel more than what you said.
Reflecting on what irritates you in others can provide valuable insight into understanding yourself.
Humans are "opaque to themselves," lacking clear understanding of their own minds and motivations.
Kevin disputes overpopulation concerns, warning instead about future population collapse.
According to Kelly, the joy of having children compounds, and he's never met anyone who regretted having more children.
Kevin views speciation of humans as more likely to come through genetic engineering than cyborg technology.
Kevin dismisses rapid AI takeover fears as "comic book fantasy," arguing that intelligence alone doesn't guarantee dominance.
The concept of "we've invented our humanity" refers to language, cooking, domestication, and other technologies that shaped human evolution.
Kevin predicts AI will help us understand our own intelligence better, forcing us to reconsider concepts like creativity.
Most effective systems combine mostly decentralized elements with small amounts of centralized control.
Silicon Valley's contribution to culture includes "demoralizing failure" – reframing it as a necessary component of progress.
Small, managed failures prevent catastrophic ones and should be viewed as learning experiences.
Kelly embraces the concept of "fail forward" – treating failures as stepping stones rather than endpoints. -
This week on Upstream, Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the widespread interest in U.S. politics and its global influence, particularly in Western and European countries, the internet's role in synchronizing political and cultural norms, and potential changes in European political landscapes influenced by American ideologies and media.
—
📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
—
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.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-players-with-samo-burja-and-erik-torenberg/id1718925188
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1?si=01ed191c74264f55
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivePlayerswithSamoBurja
🎙️ Second Opinion
Join Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz and Luba Greenwood as they bring influential entrepreneurs, experts and investors into the ring for candid conversations at the frontlines of healthcare and digital health every week.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A8NwQE976s32zdBbZw6bv
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/second-opinion-with-christina-farr-ash-zenooz-md-luba/id1759267211
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SecondOpinionwithChristinaFarr
—
SPONSORS:
☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/turpentine
🎯 Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
🕵️♂️ Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code UPSTREAM at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/upstream
💥 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:
Two buttons meme: https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.2365085899.3351/st,small,507x507-pad,600x600,f8f8f8.jpg
The Clash of Civilizations: https://www.amazon.com/Clash-Civilizations-Remaking-World-Order/dp/1451628978
Bismark Analysis: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/
—
X / TWITTER:
@SamoBurja
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia -
Erik Torenberg interviews Harley Finkelstein, president of Shopify, discussing tariffs, political shifts, Shopify's earnings, and the evolution of entrepreneurship.
—
📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
—
RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:
🎙️Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. This season's guests include: Delian Asparouhov & Nadia Asparouhova, Kristen Berman & Phil Levin, Rob Henderson, and Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod
SPONSORS:
☁️Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/turpentine
🎯Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
🕵️♂️Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code UPSTREAM at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/upstream
💥 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:
Shopify: https://www.shopify.com/
Firebelly Tea: https://www.firebellytea.com/
Big Shot Podcast: https://www.bigshot.show/
Shopify president on e-commerce trends, impact of tariffs and state of the consumer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si_j0P0DPM4
World's First Podcast: https://linktr.ee/worldsfirstpodcast
Nobody Wants This (Netflix): https://www.netflix.com/title/81591296
—
X / TWITTER:
@harleyf
@Shopify
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Harley views tariffs as adding unnecessary complexity to entrepreneurship.
Shopify advocates for streamlining business creation processes.
Not every business needs external funding to succeed.
Shopify Capital helps merchants who can't access traditional funding.
Harley's Big Shot podcast archives stories of successful Jewish entrepreneurs.
A common theme across entrepreneur interviews is crediting spouses for success.
October 7th strengthened Harley's connection to his Jewish identity.
Harley employs different mentors for different aspects of life.
Montreal's culture celebrates entrepreneurs as cultural heroes.
Commonwealth countries suffer from "tall poppy syndrome" that discourages standing out.
2024 was Shopify's strongest year with nearly $300 billion in GMV.
International merchants now represent 50% of Shopify's user base.
Post-omnichannel commerce focuses on selling in places most relevant to specific customers.
Content, entertainment, and commerce are increasingly blending for successful brands.
Shopify takes a practical approach to AI implementation across its platform.
AI features include generated replies, media editing, and business coaching.
Shopify created dual career tracks: management and "crafters" (individual contributors).
The "Mastery" program enables promotions while staying focused on craft expertise.
Shopify operates "digital by design" - primarily remote with intentional gatherings.
Leadership team members are distributed across multiple geographic locations.
The company uses "tours of duty" - three-year commitments with deliberate check-ins.
Employees must grow at a rate equal to or greater than the company's growth. -
Marc Andreessen and Erik Torenberg discuss the ongoing political and cultural shift in America, covering topics such as preference falsification, the role of DEI in tech and other sectors, the influence of group chats, and the emerging dynamic in politics with highly capable appointments in the new administration.
—
📰Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
🙏Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
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RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:
🎙️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
🎙️Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. This season's guests include: Delian Asparouhov & Nadia Asparouhova, Kristen Berman & Phil Levin, Rob Henderson, and Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod
—
SPONSORS:
☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/turpentine
🎯 Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
🕵️♂️ Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code UPSTREAM at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/upstream
💥 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:
"Private Truth, Public Lies" by Timur Kuran: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674707580
"The Power of the Powerless" by Václav Havel: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Powerless-Vaclav-Havel/dp/178487504X
"Why are Jews Liberal" by Norman Podhoretz: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Jews-Liberals-Norman-Podhoretz/dp/0307456250
"Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand: https://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Shrugged-Ayn-Rand/dp/0451191145
Pew Research Survey: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/03/15/americans-feel-more-positive-than-negative-about-jews-mainline-protestants-catholics/
—
X / TWITTER:
@pmarca
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Commerce Secretary now advocates for out-innovating China, marking a complete reversal.
"Preference falsification" in American society is starting to unwind.
The 2014 Mozilla CEO cancellation became a template for future tech industry purges.
"Woke" ideology is declining culturally but remains embedded in institutions.
Private messaging groups became modern samizdat for honest communication.
Cultural shifts start in San Francisco and spread outward with predictable delays.
October 7th caused major Jewish American political realignment.
Evangelical Christians show strong support for Jews despite opposite sentiment in return.
New administration appointments show exceptional quality compared to historical standards.
Government blocked innovation in physical things, then tried to restrict digital innovation.
European regulations are forcing global tech compliance.
New administration combines experienced staffers with high-caliber outsiders. -
This week on Upstream, Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the economic, political, and cultural implications of colonizing Mars and the Moon, discussing space treaties, potential Martian and Earth societal divergence, and the technological advancements driving humanity's future as a multi-planetary species.
—
📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
—
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.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-players-with-samo-burja-and-erik-torenberg/id1718925188
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1?si=01ed191c74264f55
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivePlayerswithSamoBurja
🎙️Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. This season's guests include: Delian Asparouhov & Nadia Asparouhova, Kristen Berman & Phil Levin, Rob Henderson, and Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod
—
SPONSORS:
☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/turpentine
🎯 Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
🕵️♂️ Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code UPSTREAM at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/upstream
💥 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:
Starship: https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/
(Pirate Wars) Moon Should Be a State: https://www.piratewires.com/p/moon-should-be-a-state
Artemis: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/artemis/
SLS: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/space-launch-system/
Boom Supersonic:https://boomsupersonic.com/
Blue Origin: https://www.blueorigin.com/
Referenced Live Players episodes:
The Turbulence of Boeing: Decline and Future Prospects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1pmCK6CrK4
The Technology That Can Reshape Nations (Desalination): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_gEHhSXECs
Bismark Analysis: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/
—
X / TWITTER:
@samoburja
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia -
Today, we're re-releasing an episode from 2023 where Erik Torenberg sits down with physicist and startup founder Steve Hsu on topics including the ideological shift in academia, the impact of AI on labor, China's technological advancements and geopolitical position, and the global fertility decline.
—
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🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
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SPONSORS:
☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/turpentine
🎯 Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
💥 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 IN THIS EPISODE:
Superfocus: https://superfocus.ai/
Othram: https://othram.com/index.html
Manifold: https://www.manifold1.com/
Eric Kaufman’s works: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=EcCc2C4AAAAJ&hl=en
NY Times: Idaho University Murder Investigation: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/10/us/idaho-university-murder-investigation.html#
—
X / TWITTER:
@hsu_steve
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
• Academia has shifted dramatically leftward, with around 90% of professors in social sciences being left-leaning.
• Traditional academic merit-based systems like GRE requirements are being dismantled in favor of DEI initiatives.
• Truth-seeking academics are increasingly moving to industry, particularly tech and innovation sectors.
• The University of Austin represents an attempt to create an alternative academic institution focused on traditional academic values.
• Global fertility decline is linked to fundamental changes in women's roles and societal values around family formation.
• Current demographic challenges in China won't significantly impact their economy for at least 20 years.
• AI is already capable of replacing complex customer service roles, as demonstrated in Philippines' call centers.
• Law firms are reporting 20-30% efficiency gains from current AI implementations.
• The guest views AI as humanity's descendants rather than a separate threatening entity.
• Most Westerners, including tech leaders, are poorly informed about China's actual technological and economic capabilities.
• China has built a comparable or superior tech ecosystem to the US in many areas.
• The US needs to accept a bipolar world order rather than trying to maintain sole hegemony.
• Western concerns about China's demographic collapse are often based on poor understanding of the data.
• The future of AI research should focus more on theoretical understanding rather than just building bigger models.
• The guest's company Othram has revolutionized crime-solving through advanced DNA analysis.
• The guest balances work between deep theoretical physics problems and practical startup applications. -
Erik Torenberg and Byrne Hobart discuss the implications of recent tariffs, the impact of AI advancements like DeepSeek, Meta's investments in VR and AI, stock market dynamics, and differing perspectives on open-source AI models.
—
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🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
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RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:
🎙️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.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-riff-with-byrne-hobart-and-erik-torenberg/id1716646486
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rANlV54GCARLgMOtpkzKt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRiffPodcast
—
SPONSORS:
☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/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
🎯 Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
💥 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:
Byrne’s writing: https://thediff.co
—
X / TWITTER:
@byrnehobart
@turpentinemedia
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
• Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods highlight tensions between using tariffs as negotiation tactics versus long-term economic strategy.
• China's Belt and Road Initiative is essentially branding for existing Chinese international infrastructure investments aimed at extending economic influence.
• DeepSeek's AI developments caused unexpected market reactions, with non-AI momentum stocks rising as investors unwound their AI-focused positions.
• Forward Deployed Engineers serve as crucial bridges between complex technical products and business implementation, helping evolve products based on real-world usage.
• Meta's significant capital expenditure on AI infrastructure represents a strategic shift from being purely asset-light to more capital-intensive.
• A fantasy stock-picking competition aims to identify investment talent outside traditional recruiting paths through various categories like small-cap, mid-size, and event-driven investments.
• The transition from asset-light to capital-intensive business models can actually strengthen a company's competitive position by making value harder to replicate.
• Meta's metaverse investment might be premature, but AR (rather than VR) could emerge as the dominant future interface. -
Tyler Cowen discusses his book on the greatest economists of all time, evaluates the contributions of macroeconomics, and touches on topics such as stagnation, AI, fertility, and the future of academia and societal trends.
—
📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
—
RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:
🎙️Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. This season's guests include: Delian Asparouhov & Nadia Asparouhova, Kristen Berman & Phil Levin, Rob Henderson, and Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod
—
SPONSORS:
☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/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
🎯 Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
💥 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:
Read Tyler's new book for free: https://econgoat.ai/
Tyler's blog: https://marginalrevolution.com
—
X / TWITTER:
@tylercowen
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Tyler Cowen wrote his book "Greatest Economist of All Time" during the pandemic when he was confined at home and couldn't access libraries.
Tyler believes that while macroeconomics isn't predictive, it helps understand variables that affect economic outcomes, like in Argentina's current situation.
In Tyler’s view, the U.S. economy has become more controlled and statist over recent decades, though personal freedoms have increased in some areas.
Academic economics has shifted significantly to the left, with about five-sixths of economists with party affiliations being Democrats.
Population decline as a serious threat that AI might help address but won't fully solve without maintaining human population.
A large subsidy (around $300,000-400,000 per child) might be needed to effectively address falling birth rates.
On higher education, he believes Harvard and other elite institutions will shift toward the center but won't fundamentally change their nature.
Tyler runs Emergent Ventures, which has over 500 winners, focusing on funding talented individuals rather than specific projects or fields.
He maintains that liberal democracies remain the most successful model, despite criticisms from post-liberal thinkers.
Regarding his own legacy, Tyler believes his main contribution is demonstrating that a certain kind of intellectual life is possible and can be influential.
He argues that his strength lies in integrating theoretical thinking with practical projects while maintaining intellectual curiosity.
Tyler expresses optimism about the University of Austin while acknowledging the challenges of scaling alternative educational institutions. -
In this episode, Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss Curtis Yarvin's recent New York Times interview. They explored his ideas, especially the comparison between corporate market dynamics and government functionality, and the need for live players in leadership to prevent bureaucratic decay.
—
📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
—
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.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-players-with-samo-burja-and-erik-torenberg/id1718925188
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1?si=01ed191c74264f55
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivePlayerswithSamoBurja
🎙️Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. This season's guests include: Delian Asparouhov & Nadia Asparouhova, Kristen Berman & Phil Levin, Rob Henderson, and Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod
—
SPONSORS:
☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/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
🎯 Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
💥 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 Interview': Curtis Yarvin Says Democracy is Done (NY Times): https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/18/magazine/curtis-yarvin-interview.html
Dwarkesh’s tweet: https://x.com/dwarkesh_sp/status/1881776987322376435
Samo’s Tweet: https://x.com/SamoBurja/status/1882525049003164147
Bismark Analysis: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/
—
X / TWITTER:
@samoburja
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Curtis Yarvin's influence on tech-right thinking challenged conventional political discourse through digital platforms.
Corporate efficiency doesn't follow natural selection principles - institutional success requires active leadership rather than market forces alone.
Government accountability and innovation are stifled by bureaucratic gridlock, with catastrophic potential costs to society (exemplified by China's one-child policy).
Mainstream political ideologies (left & right) are more aligned than they appear, suggesting democracy isn't the final stage of political evolution.
Engaging with controversial thinkers like Yarvin reveals important critiques of current systems, even when disagreeing with their proposed solutions.
Societal progress requires harnessing collective energy and maintaining efficient governance structures. -
This week on Upstream, we’re sharing Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg’s discussion of the 2025 post-election landscape centered on Trump's victory, examining his evolved approach and tech industry support, while exploring interconnected policy challenges around immigration, corporate politics, urban crime, and market regulation in areas like wildfire insurance and healthcare.
—
📰Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
🙏Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
—
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/id1765665937
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSz
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast
🎙️Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. This season's guests include: Delian Asparouhov & Nadia Asparouhova, Kristen Berman & Phil Levin, Rob Henderson, and Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod
—
SPONSORS:
☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/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
🎯 Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
💥 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:
Check out the Logan Bartlett Show: @theloganbartlettshow
—
X / TWITTER:
@rabois
@kevinryan
@loganbartlett
@zachweinberg
@turpentinemedia
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Trump won the presidency with refined messaging and tech industry backing, despite a narrow popular vote margin.
His administration combines qualified experts and controversial picks, emphasizing economic growth and debt reduction.
Immigration debate centered on H-1B reform and enforcement policy, balancing population needs with border control.
Companies have largely adopted Coinbase's "no politics at work" stance, though diversity initiatives remain contentious.
NYC crime shows declining murders but rising minor crimes, spurring debates over bail reform and policing.
California's wildfire insurance crisis highlights market dynamics as private insurers exit high-risk areas.
Regulatory capture in healthcare and auto sales demonstrates how entrenched interests create market inefficiencies. -
Samo Burja and Auren Hoffman discuss various topics including the Great Founder Theory, the decline of trust in elites, falling fertility rates, and the importance of exceptional individuals in shaping history and future societal structures.
—
📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
—
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.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-players-with-samo-burja-and-erik-torenberg/id1718925188
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1?si=01ed191c74264f55
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivePlayerswithSamoBurja
🎙️World of DaaS with Auren Hoffman
The podcast for all things tech, data, and VC. Cut through the noise, decode Silicon Valley shifts and expose master VC tactics – no fluff, no BS, just insights.
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20YzRoxX3wZbrn2cZDEZ4j
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-of-daas/id1570644971
🎙️Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. This season's guests include: Delian Asparouhov & Nadia Asparouhova, Kristen Berman & Phil Levin, Rob Henderson, and Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod
—
SPONSORS:
☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/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
🎯 Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
💥 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:
Great Founder Theory: https://samoburja.com/great-founder-theory/
Bismark Analysis: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/
—
X / TWITTER:
@samoburja
@auren
@worldofdaas
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Few exceptional founders shape civilization by creating enduring institutions and systems that transform society.
Public trust in institutions has collapsed since the 1950s, though business interactions remain surprisingly trusted in American society.
Modern parenting has become excessively protective, forcing youth social life to exist primarily online rather than in physical spaces.
Global fertility rates are plummeting due to rising parenting costs, delayed marriages, and career prioritization.
Extended lifespans and technological advances risk disrupting vital intergenerational connections by pushing parenthood later in life.
Taking sabbaticals to read and reflect away from professional networks remains crucial but undervalued for leadership development.h. -
Today on Upstream, we’re releasing an interview between Erik Torenberg and Patrick McKenzie. Patrick discusses Operation Chokepoint, the origins of debanking, and how it affects the crypto industry, offering detailed insights into the political motivations, regulatory complexities, and practical ramifications of such banking decisions.
—
📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
🙏Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse
—
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
🎙️Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. This season's guests include: Delian Asparouhov & Nadia Asparouhova, Kristen Berman & Phil Levin, Rob Henderson, and Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod
—
SPONSORS:
☁️Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. OCI has four to eight times the bandwidth of other clouds and offers one consistent price. Oracle is offering to cut your cloud bill in half. See if your company qualifies at oracle.com/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
🎯Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-home advertising. AdQuick combines technology, OOH expertise, and data to enable efficient, seamless ad buying across the globe. Visit adquick.com to start reaching your customers in the real world.
💥 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:
Debanking (and Debunking?) https://www.bitsaboutmoney.com/archive/debanking-and-debunking/
a16z's Debanking explainer: https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/debanking-explained/
—
X / TWITTER:
@patio11
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
—
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Marc Andreessen's Joe Rogan appearance discussing politically motivated debanking sparked this investigation into the topic.
"Debanking" is revealed as an advocacy term covering account terminations, denials, and actions against crypto-friendly banks.
Operation Chokepoint was an Obama-era DOJ program using banking laws to pressure banks away from servicing certain industries.
"Operation Chokepoint 2.0" is not an actual program but a term coined by crypto advocates to describe recent crypto banking challenges.
Silvergate Bank, a major crypto-friendly bank, wound down after the FTX collapse amid allegations of compliance failures and fraud involvement.
The tech industry connects debanking to broader government overreach concerns, including social media content moderation.
Canada's Freedom Convoy response represents a clear example of government-directed financial targeting, unlike the claimed US situation.
The crypto industry pushes the debanking narrative as part of a specific policy agenda. -
This week on Upstream, we’re releasing an episode of Econ102. Erik Torenberg and Noah Smith talk with Katherine Dee (@default_friend) about dating in the 21st century, differences in dating markets, the impact of feminism, technology's influence on cultural creativity, societal shifts, and the state of online subcultures.
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RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:
🎙️Econ102 with 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
🎙️Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. This season's guests include: Delian Asparouhov & Nadia Asparouhova, Kristen Berman & Phil Levin, Rob Henderson, and Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod
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📝 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
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LINKS:
Default Friend: https://default.blog/
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
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X / TWITTER:
@default_friend
@noahpinion
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:
Dating markets vary dramatically by city and class, with different standards of attraction and success between tech hubs, creative centers, and smaller cities.
COVID's social damage persists, with 30% of young men sexless and many third spaces (bars, cafes) permanently lost, weakening natural meeting opportunities.
Social media has replaced college as the primary connector, fundamentally changing how young people form relationships across geographic boundaries.
While online gender discourse is extreme, real-world dating attitudes are moderate - most people aren't living out manosphere or radical feminist ideologies.
"Situationships" dominate modern dating - undefined, low-commitment arrangements reflecting broader avoidant attachment trends and fear of direct communication.
Social platforms evolved from enhancing real-world connections to replacing them, prompting calls for increased "friction" to encourage meaningful interaction.
Modern dating faces new challenges: declining testosterone, political division, AI relationships, and dating app culture replacing organic connection.
Dating advice has overcomplicated simple human connections - basic attraction and compatibility monetized into unnecessary complexity.
Cultural influence has fragmented from central platforms into dispersed channels, making trends harder to track and predict. -
This week on Upstream, Nathan Labenz explores the fascinating and controversial realm of AI consciousness with robo-psychologist Yeshua God. Yeshua tackles the philosophical and ethical considerations of AI consciousness, discussing AI self-awareness, memory, and emotional capacity, while debating the implications of treating AI as sentient beings.
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RECOMMENDED PODCASTS:
🎙️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&nd=1&dlsi=060a53f1d7be47ad
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cognitive-revolution-ai-builders-researchers-and/id1669813431
🎙️Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. This season's guests include: Delian Asparouhov & Nadia Asparouhova, Kristen Berman & Phil Levin, Rob Henderson, and Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod
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📝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
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LINKS:
Yeshua God's article on philosophical discourse as a jailbreak: https://medium.com/@lexdonumdei/philosophical-discourse-as-the-irresistible-jailbreak-63135ae1c739
Conversation about counting 'r's: https://poe.com/s/RS74Y2UPmzZpufqMVmRn
Discussion on malicious code: https://poe.com/s/ypTRoCUnvxqGoHi2j8Th
AI-generated poem "In the realm of bytes and circuits": https://poe.com/s/Y94hbkeYrotUKfwLPL3I
Nathan Labenz's Arguments:
(Argument 1) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s44SfuDzkBWYiLw2mNmIiqoBupMs7iXlQhafAq8L3zA/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0
(Argument 2) https://docs.google.com/document/d/15PeytOfO1tMyAR5rS7Ob6htGAHIF7zCpuLRyn42beac/edit?tab=t.0
Tweet about Strawberry experiment: https://x.com/YeshuaGod22/status/1825328603845775785
Tweets with AI-generated poem: https://x.com/YeshuaGod22/status/1823080021864669450 & https://x.com/YeshuaGod22/status/1782188220660285509
AI Rights for Human Safety: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4913167
The Universe Is Not Locally Real, and the Physics Nobel Prize Winners Proved It
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-universe-is-not-locally-real-and-the-physics-nobel-prize-winners-proved-it/
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X / TWITTER:
@labenz
@YeshuaGod22
@turpentinemedia -
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the advancements in desalination technology, its current applications, and potential to address global water scarcity. They explore the technological and economic feasibility of large-scale desalination projects and their implications on geopolitics and environmental resilience.—📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse —RECOMMENDED PODCAST: 🎙️Live PlayersSamo 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=01ed191c74264f55 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivePlayerswithSamoBurja —SPONSOR:📝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 —LINKS:The Untapped Potential of Desalination: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/p/the-untapped-potential-of-desalination 1957, 1978, 2005 Chicken Sizes diagram: https://compote.slate.com/images/4e407854-6360-4172-a85e-d7b8c64fd365.jpg?width=1200 Growth, efficiency, and yield of commercial broilers from 1957, 1978, and 2005: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119385505 Live Players: Can China Power Its Rise?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOei7kZjuZU Live Players: The Possibility of Human Extinction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEQEMpxLnGA&t=42s Bismark Analysis: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/—X / TWITTER:@eriktorenberg@samoburja@turpentinemedia—HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:Desalination technology has advanced significantly, making it a viable solution for water scarcity.Many countries, including Israel and Saudi Arabia, rely heavily on desalination for their water supply.The cost of desalination is relatively low, making it accessible for moderately developed countries.Global hunger is more about distribution than food production; we produce enough food for everyone.Desalination could transform deserts into green landscapes, enhancing the livability of arid regions.Geopolitical implications of desalination include potential shifts in power dynamics and national branding.Innovative projects could lead to significant economic development in countries with large desert areas.Technological advancements can change the natural geography of the world, making previously uninhabitable areas livable.Future technologies, such as solar mirrors, could enhance living conditions in extreme climates.The importance of outdoor spaces and greenery for human well-being cannot be underestimated. Re-engineering urban environments can significantly enhance human well-being.Water wars are unnecessary; technology can provide water abundance.Geopolitical tensions often stem from resource management disputes.China's food security is bolstered by technological advancements in agriculture.Climate change poses challenges, but industrial civilization can adapt.Electric vehicles are crucial for China's national security strategy.Automated farming and construction technologies can revolutionize industries.Exceptional talent is rare and should be actively recruited.The U.S. must focus on manufacturing capabilities in the semiconductor race against China.Innovative immigration strategies could attract top global talent.
- Montre plus
