The Jacob Shapiro Podcast

Techno-Feudal Estates

19 snips
Sep 30, 2025
In a compelling discussion, Matt Pines, Executive Director of the Bitcoin Policy Institute, dives into the rapidly evolving intersections of Bitcoin, AI, and geopolitical dynamics. He highlights how technological shifts are outpacing current frameworks, amplifying strains on U.S. infrastructure. Pines examines the emergence of politically charged 'techno-feudal' elites and the implications for national security and economic stability. He also reflects on Bitcoin’s role as a strategic asset in the face of rising challenges from China’s infrastructure ambitions.
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INSIGHT

Rate Of Change Forces New Frameworks

  • Change is accelerating and previously fringe technologies (Bitcoin, AI) are now central to policy and portfolios.
  • Start with humility: most predictions will be wrong, so update frameworks frequently.
INSIGHT

Privatized Buildout When Grid Fails

  • Private capital will likely build bespoke energy and compute stacks when public infrastructure lags.
  • That creates a bifurcation between privatized sovereign stacks and public utilities.
ANECDOTE

Rail Bottlenecks For Turbine Moves

  • Pines recounts a Nashville summit where energy and AI builders discussed real logistics bottlenecks.
  • He heard a rail expert explain US rail and bridges already constrain moving massive power equipment.
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