Send us a text

What if we told you that the political economy of Silicon Valley, the European Union's impact on big tech platforms, and Apple's recent victory against Epic Games are just the tip of the iceberg of a rapidly changing global economy? Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with our guest, Rob Larson, professor of Economics and author of books such as "Capitalism vs. Freedom" and "Bit Tire and Subpolitical Economy of Silicon Valley." We dive into topics like crypto bubbles, NFTs, and unexpected tech layoffs, as well as the potential recession due to inflation and the Russo-Ukrainian war.

The conversation doesn't stop there; we also explore the complexities of the US debt ceiling and its possible implications for global leadership. Delve into the impact of a multipolar world, and the likelihood of the US dollar remaining the global reserve currency. Plus, we touch on the debt ceiling, bond market, and labor changes in the wake of COVID-19, and consider how automation and AI might replace entry-level white-collar work.

Finally, we address climate change and demographic shifts, examining the ongoing credential weakening and the potential for removing labor restrictions, such as child labor, in red states. We discuss automation's implications for the developing world and the West's refusal to admit people, as well as the justice aspect of liberalizing immigration systems. We critique Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) and its limitations in transforming our economic system, and consider the challenges of institution building and labor militancy. Don't miss this engaging conversation with Rob Larson!

Rob Larson is a professor of economics at Tacoma Community College and author of Bit Tyrants: The Political Economy of Silicon Valley, out now from Haymarket Books. He is the house economist at Current Affairs magazine.


Crew:
Host: C. Derick Varn
Audio Producer: Paul Channel Strip  ( @aufhebenkultur )
Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.
Intro Video Design: Jason Myles
Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn

Links and Social Media:
twitter: @skepoet
Facebook
You can find the additional streams on Youtube

Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to Bitterlake

Support the show

Crew:
Host: C. Derick Varn
Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.
Intro Video Design: Jason Myles
Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn

Links and Social Media:
twitter: @varnvlog
blue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.social
You can find the additional streams on Youtube

Current Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf