Salvador Podcast Tyler Cowen: talent, effective altruism and religion
11 snips
Jan 18, 2026 
In this engaging discussion, economist Tyler Cowen shares insights from his extensive work on cultural economics and innovation. He reveals how the internet accelerates talent discovery and critiques the struggles organizations face in recognizing potential. Cowen advocates for a barbell philanthropic approach, supporting both the impoverished and promising talent. He also addresses effective altruism's evolution and highlights religion's underappreciated role in culture. Get ready for thought-provoking takes on leadership, conformity, and the future of innovation!
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Faster Discovery Of Teenage Talent
- The Internet and younger users have dramatically accelerated how quickly we discover teenage talent in the last 10–15 years.
- Tyler Cowen credits platforms like Twitter for enabling rapid talent discovery and connection.
Have Talents Come To You
- Let talented people find you rather than cold-searching for them on Twitter.
- Encourage initiative: wait for candidates to send work links or essays before engaging.
Why Markets Miss Young Talent
- Markets under-invest in spotting young talent because firms cannot fully internalize future gains.
- Firms lack incentives to invest time in people unlikely to join them, creating a discovery gap.
