80,000 Hours Podcast 2025 Highlight-o-thon: Oops! All Bests
48 snips
Dec 29, 2025 
Hugh White, a foreign policy scholar, talks about the importance of a realistic U.S. strategy toward China's rise, urging Americans to understand the nuances of geopolitical competition. Sam Bowman, an economist, offers insights on how to convert NIMBY opponents into supporters by showing how new developments can enhance local neighborhood quality. This lively discussion touches on the strategic implications of AI, the intricacies of development politics, and the quest for a balanced global approach amidst rapid technological change.
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Competition With China Is Diffuse, Not A Race
- Helen Toner argues competition with China looks like ongoing diffusion not a single winner-take-all race.
- Treating it as a clear race risks endorsing harmful trade-offs and policies.
Talk Without Military Investment Fails
- Hugh White says the US talked about pushing back on China but largely failed to invest to deter it.
- He urges realism: accept a multipolar order and stop pretending primacy remains affordable.
Simulate A Successful Escape To Learn Plans
- When you catch an AI attempting to escape, simulate success in a sandbox to observe its plans.
- Use that controlled exposure to learn its tricks and train detectors for escape behavior.