"Live Players" with Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg

• Curtis Yarvin and the Evolution of American Political Thought

  In this episode of Live Players, Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss Curtis Yarvin's influence on government efficiency ideas, the pitfalls of gridlock and bureaucratic decay, and how transformative figures and strategic decision-making affect national and corporate success. — 📰 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: ☁️ More than 41,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: https://netsuite.com/102 🔐 Vanta automates security compliance and builds trust, helping companies streamline ISO, SOC 2, and AI framework certifications. Learn more at https://vanta.com/complex  — LINKS: 'The Interview': Curtis Yarvin Says Democracy is Done (The New York Times): https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/18/magazine/curtis-yarvin-interview.html Curtis Yarvin on the End of American Democracy (Podcast): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcSil8NeQq8  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 the tech right is significant. Natural selection does not apply to corporate functionality. Leadership is crucial for the adaptability of institutions. Government accountability is often lacking compared to corporate structures. The risks of government failure can be catastrophic. Innovation is stifled by bureaucratic gridlock. Democracy may not function effectively in a gridlocked system. Yarvin's vision includes anarcho-capitalist elements. Government spending can be inefficient and wasteful. Honesty about trade-offs in governance is essential. The one-child policy in China is a prime example of disastrous governance. Sweden's COVID policy was more effective than many Western approaches. Inefficient government can have astronomical costs on society. Political ideologies are often more aligned than they appear. Curtis Yarvin's ideas challenge conventional political thought. Intellectual diversity is crucial for a healthy discourse. Engaging with controversial thinkers can strengthen our understanding. The digital age offers new platforms for intellectual exchange. Societal progress requires harnessing the energies of the nation. Democracy is not the end of political evolution.

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• Why Elites Failed Us w/ Auren Hoffman [World of DaaS]

  Samo Burja discusses his "Great Founder Theory," in the Word of DaaS Podcast with Auren Hoffman, arguing that exceptional individuals throughout history have shaped civilization by creating influential institutions, while also exploring modern challenges around societal trust, fertility rates, and the changing dynamics between young and old generations in contemporary society. — 📰 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:  🎙️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: ☁️ More than 41,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: https://netsuite.com/102 🔐 Vanta automates security compliance and builds trust, helping companies streamline ISO, SOC 2, and AI framework certifications. Learn more at https://vanta.com/complex  📝 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: 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: Great founders create enduring institutions and systems that shape civilization's trajectory, not just through individual achievements but by establishing lasting frameworks like America's founding fathers or Bismarck's unification of Germany. Trust has eroded across most institutions since the 1950s, with only the military retaining significant public confidence, though business interactions remain surprisingly trusted in the US. Modern parents have become excessively protective, severely restricting children's independence and forcing youth culture to exist primarily online rather than in physical spaces. Global fertility rates are declining sharply across all societies, driven by factors like intensive parenting costs, delayed marriages, and career prioritization. Technology and longevity advances risk pushing parenthood too late in life, potentially disrupting important intergenerational connections and cultural transmission. Taking extended breaks from successful careers to read, reflect, and reset perspective is undervalued but crucial for leadership development and personal growth.

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  1:19:53
• The Technology That Can Reshape Nations

  This week on Live Players, Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss the significance of desalination technology, its advancements, costs, and potential to transform scarcity in regions with water shortages, highlighting how countries like Israel, Singapore, and the Gulf monarchies have employed these technologies and speculating on the geopolitical and environmental impacts. — 📰 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: 🎙️Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod  — SPONSOR: ☁️ 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 — 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.

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  1:06:15
• Elon Musk, Social Media Influence, & the Future of Political Discourse

  Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss the impact of social media platforms like Twitter, now X, especially under Elon Musk's ownership. They explore the changing political landscape, the dynamics of media personalities, and the evolving role of social media in shaping public discourse and political behavior. — 📰 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  — SPONSORS: 🤲🏼 GiveWell spends 50,000 hours every year doing deep-dives into different charitable programs to try to find the ways to do the most good for your dollar. GiveWell has now spent over 17 years researching charitable organizations and only directs funding to a few of the HIGHEST-IMPACT opportunities they’ve found. Visit https://www.givewell.org to find out more or make a donation. (Select PODCAST and enter Econ 102 at checkout to support our show.) 📑 Discover Carta, the innovative end-to-end accounting platform revolutionizing private fund management with streamlined operations and on-demand insights. Experience the new standard at carta.com/investors. — LINKS: Book: Hatching Twitter: A True Story of Money, Power, Friendship, and Betrayal: https://www.amazon.com/Hatching-Twitter-Story-Friendship-Betrayal/dp/1591847087  Google Paper: Attention Is All You Need: https://proceedings.neurips.cc/paper_files/paper/2017/file/3f5ee243547dee91fbd053c1c4a845aa-Paper.pdf Bismark Analysis: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod — X / TWITTER: @eriktorenberg @samoburja @turpentinemedia — HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE: Peter Thiel's thoughts have significantly influenced tech philosophy. Twitter's evolution reflects broader societal changes in communication. Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter highlights the power of individual influence. Political polarization is exacerbated by social media dynamics. The future of politics may hinge on personal branding and media personalities. Censorship in the digital age poses challenges to free speech. Corporate culture increasingly intersects with political beliefs. Social media platforms are arenas for elite discourse. The First Amendment plays a crucial role in protecting online expression. Political rebranding is becoming more common in the social media landscape. There's a desire to open the digital frontier. Cultural attitudes towards technology have shifted over the years. Europe's aging population affects its political dynamism. The political economy in Europe is in need of reform. American innovation is often stifled by older generations' preferences. The left struggles to find its voice in a right-dominated media landscape. Emerging left-wing voices may arise from unexpected places. Generational shifts will influence political and cultural dynamics. The digital age allows for new forms of activism and expression. The future of left-wing culture may depend on new, charismatic leaders.

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  1:02:08
• Syria After Assad

  Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg the current situation in Syria, including the impact of President Assad's exile, the role of various factions and foreign powers, and the challenges of establishing a stable government amid ongoing conflict. — 📰 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  — SPONSORS: 🤲🏼 GiveWell spends 50,000 hours every year doing deep-dives into different charitable programs to try to find the ways to do the most good for your dollar. GiveWell has now spent over 17 years researching charitable organizations and only directs funding to a few of the HIGHEST-IMPACT opportunities they’ve found. Visit https://www.givewell.org to find out more or make a donation. (Select PODCAST and enter Econ 102 at checkout to support our show.) 📑 Discover Carta, the innovative end-to-end accounting platform revolutionizing private fund management with streamlined operations and on-demand insights. Experience the new standard at carta.com/investors. — LINKS: Bismark Analysis: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ -- RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod — X / TWITTER: @eriktorenberg @samoburja @turpentinemedia — HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE: Middle Eastern governments often struggle with instability due to ethnic and religious divisions. The Syrian civil war exemplifies the challenges of governance in the region. Assad's fall may not significantly alter the power dynamics in Syria. Kurdish autonomy is a critical factor in the future of Syria. Islamist groups pose a significant challenge to stability in the region. Turkey's ambitions in Syria complicate the geopolitical landscape. Demographic changes will impact the political future of Syria. Foreign support has not been effective in sustaining the Assad regime. The future of Syria is uncertain, with many factions vying for power. Israel and Turkey's conflicting interests will shape Syria's future. Nationalism is a simple legitimizing political formula. Arab nationalism struggles due to the lack of unified representation. Geopolitical challenges hinder the formation of a unified Arab state. Islamism has emerged as an alternative unifying ideology. Political projects can lose legitimacy through repeated failures. The Taliban's legitimacy is rooted in religious authority. Democracy can be a powerful legitimizing force, even in non-democratic systems. Supporting stable monarchies may be more effective than backing rebel groups. Africa's political landscape is influenced by tribal and clan structures. Demographic changes will significantly impact the future of the Middle East.

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