Slate Money 2025 Hot Takes
55 snips
Dec 27, 2025 The hosts dive into a year of wild hot takes, debating Elon Musk's claim that AI will eradicate poverty. They explore the potential comeback of suits in NYC and discuss the curious phenomenon of 'looks maxing' in Silicon Valley. A surprising hot take from Bloomberg suggests a shift in Europe's geopolitical role. There's also a lively debate on whether recent tariffs truly harmed the economy, along with a discussion of personal-injury advertising's surge. The episode wraps up with amusing anecdotes, including a prank involving live fish!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
AI Won't Automatically End Poverty
- Elon Musk claimed there will be no poverty in the future because AI will create universal high incomes.
- Felix Salmon and Elizabeth Spiers called the idea very spicy but low on truthiness given no incentive for private firms to universalize wealth.
Appearance As Economic Signal
- Silicon Valley prioritizes appearance as knowledge becomes commodified and looks matter more for opportunities.
- Felix Salmon and Tracy Allaway noted peptide use and biohacking signal growing investment in attractiveness.
Europe As The Next Geopolitical Pivot
- Europe could become the critical geopolitical fulcrum or fragment into decline, shaping global balance of power.
- John Authors (via Bloomberg) argued Europe's cohesion is uncertain, making it a top story to watch.
