Complex Systems with Patrick McKenzie (patio11)

Seeing like an outsider, with Yatharth

45 snips

Jan 2, 2025

A graduate student interviews a software engineer about the intricacies of cultural codes and institutional systems. They share personal stories about navigating bureaucracy and credit card debt, revealing the evolution of their financial literacy. The discussion touches on parenting multicultural children and the challenges of emotional availability. Insights into the transformative role of AI in storytelling and communication unfold, alongside reflections on global financial systems like India's Unified Payments Interface, highlighting the value of cross-cultural knowledge.

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ANECDOTE

False Credit Report

Patrick McKenzie discovered his credit report falsely listed $100,000 of debt.
This sparked his interest in financial systems and consumer protection laws.

ADVICE

Ghostwriting Letters

Help others navigate complex systems by offering specific, actionable advice.
Patrick ghostwrote letters for people struggling with debt, guiding them through legal processes.

INSIGHT

Snowball Effect of Niche Interests

Publicly exploring niche interests attracts experts who can deepen your understanding.
This creates a snowball effect, expanding your knowledge and network.

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In this episode, Yatharth (@askyatharth), a graduate student and software engineer, turns the tables to interview Patrick McKenzie (@patio11) about cultural codes, writing, and AI. Patrick shares how his early experiences fighting credit report errors and navigating cross-cultural business environments led to his distinctive approach to understanding and writing about institutional systems. The conversation spans from Patrick's methodical exploration of banking infrastructure to his predictions about LLMs, weaving in personal stories about dating, parenthood, and bridging American and Japanese cultures along the way.
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Full transcript available here: www.complexsystemspodcast.com/outside-view-yatharth/
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Links:

Yatharth’s writing https://itsyatharth.substack.com/
Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_for_Radicals
Dave Kasten on Complex Systems https://open.spotify.com/episode/66SSmxK2Kpyef7WUxXxS6w?si=5EZYfZ7gThG8WV7hSs1aFQ
Lars Doucet on Complex Systems https://open.spotify.com/episode/2XQjSGCfW6XIu1AFB4oZeR?si=n3C28PymT6m7pPqFb2NE8Q
Bits about Money: https://www.bitsaboutmoney.com/

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Twitter:
@askyatharth
@patio11

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro
(01:30) Patrick's early interest in credit cards
(03:53) Navigating financial challenges
(05:10) Becoming a financial advisor
(10:35) Cultural and educational insights
(18:57) Sponsor: Check
(22:14) Personal stories and reflections
(25:48) Parenting and cultural integration
(33:26) Writing and storytelling journey
(37:35) Translating financial systems for a new audience
(39:08) The role of AI in writing and style transfer
(40:46) The concept of alpha in writing
(44:48) Legal advice and AI's role
(52:12) The impact of AI on bureaucratic systems
(01:04:22) Reflections on government software and policy
(01:13:49) Sabbatical insights and future interests
(01:18:52) Wrap

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