Complex Systems with Patrick McKenzie (patio11)

Bet on it: Zvi Mowshowitz on professional gambling, trading, and AI futures

Aug 8, 2024

Zvi Mowshowitz, a professional Magic: The Gathering player, sports gambler, and AI journalist, shares his eclectic journey from games to finance. He discusses insights on market inefficiencies and the strategies used in sports betting versus formal trading. Zvi critiques public health communication during COVID-19, reflecting on the importance of accurate data and trust. The conversation also touches on the transformative potential of AI in various sectors and the crucial role of consistent practice in achieving excellence.

01:26:39

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Zvi Mowshowitz

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Quick takeaways

Zvi Mowshowitz emphasizes the importance of selective engagement in trading, allowing traders to thoughtfully manage risks rather than making impulsive decisions.

The podcast highlights the exponential advancements in AI technology and the necessity for individuals and businesses to adapt and leverage these innovations effectively.

Mowshowitz's experience during the COVID-19 pandemic reveals significant systemic inefficiencies in public health decision-making, stressing the need for better preparedness and communication in crises.

Deep dives

The Journey of a Public Intellectual

The speaker, previously involved in the Magic the Gathering scene, shares a diverse career path that includes game development, sports betting, and public health analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over time, their focus shifted towards artificial intelligence (AI), establishing a successful newsletter to continue providing meaningful updates on the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The speaker attributes their success to an audience eager for insightful analysis and information during critical times. This transition highlights the importance of adapting one’s expertise to meet the evolving needs of society.

Increase Impact by Amplifying Efforts

01:10

Embrace the AI Revolution: Uncertain Yet Transformative

00:54

Know Your Players: Market Dynamics in Sports Betting

01:26

Anticipate Outcomes to Enhance Decision-Making

01:43

Intro

3min

Navigating the Markets: From Trading Games to Sports Betting

20min

Navigating the Shift from Sports Betting to Financial Trading

5min

Navigating Market Complexity and Pandemic Insights

23min

Navigating the Vaccine Rollout Challenges

11min

Maximizing Happiness through Consistent Positive Actions

2min

Revamping Marketing Strategies Through Experimentation

10min

The Transformative Power of AI in Startups

13min

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (patio11) is joined by Zvi Mowshowitz (TheZvi) to discuss his wide-ranging career as a professional Magic: The Gathering player, sports gambler, equities trader, public intellectual on the covid-19 epidemic, and AI-focused journalist. They go into depth on how trading happens in less formal markets with lessons that resonate in more formal markets. They also explore the fallacies of rational decision-making in large organizations, the significance of obsession and practice in achieving excellence, and exchange predictions on AI.

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Full transcript available here: https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/betting-trading-zvi-mowshowitz/

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Sponsor: This podcast is sponsored by Check, the leading payroll infrastructure provider and pioneer of embedded payroll. Check makes it easy for any SaaS platform to build a payroll business, and already powers 60+ popular platforms. Head to checkhq.com/complex and tell them patio11 sent you.

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Links:

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Twitter:

@patio11

@TheZvi

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(00:16) Meet Zvi Mowshowitz

(04:11) Trading and Magic: The Gathering

(07:24) Professional sports gambling

(11:58) Navigating the sportsbook market

(22:33) Sponsor: Check

(23:48) Financial markets vs. sports betting

(34:02) Covid-19 early predictions

(43:21) Covid-19 policy failures and blame

(49:52) Vaccine rollout chaos

(01:01:11) The importance of scaling effective strategies

(01:14:46) AI predictions

(01:23:58) Wrap

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Complex Systems is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: Turpentine.co

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