"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg cover image

"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg

E93: How Trump and Elon Could Rebuild the US Government

Nov 9, 2024
Joining Erik Torenberg is Samo Burja, a keen analyst of the global power landscape. They discuss how Trump's victory aligns right-wing politics with tech giants like Elon Musk. The duo examines the evolving political strategies driven by modern media and the shifts in political activism since 2016. They also tackle the challenges of attracting talent from the tech industry for government roles and explore the potential for reforming institutions through innovation. It's a thought-provoking look at the intersection of politics and technology!
58:26

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Trump's alliance with tech leaders like Elon Musk signals a shift in right-wing politics, influencing potential government reform through innovation.
  • The evolving media landscape necessitates adaptable political strategies, emphasizing authentic engagement rather than traditional, often inauthentic, methods of communication.

Deep dives

Election Predictions and Surprises

The recent presidential election results surprised many observers, particularly regarding the underestimated support for Donald Trump. The conversation highlights a social desirability bias wherein individuals hesitant to express their political leanings skew predictions, revealing challenges in conventional statistical models used in forecasting elections. The importance of recognizing that each election operates within a shifting political and cultural landscape is emphasized, suggesting a need for continuous adaptation and understanding of changing dynamics rather than relying rigidly on past data. This unpredictability suggests a potential opportunity for more authentic political engagement rather than relying solely on traditional methods of analysis.

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