Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy unveil grand plans for the D.O.G.E. as they navigate the complexities of federal spending and efficiency. Meanwhile, Bitcoin hits record highs amidst speculation about its volatile future. The podcast humorously dives into AI clones impacting both dating and job applications, questioning their effectiveness. Plus, an amusing look at a bear costume scam highlights the absurdities of online verification. Overall, it’s a whirlwind of finance, tech, and social commentary!
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DOGE's Difficult Task
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aims to cut trillions from the federal budget, a task deemed challenging due to the size and nature of government spending.
Much of the budget is allocated to programs Americans favor, like Social Security and healthcare, making large cuts difficult.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Past Efficiency Initiatives
Past attempts at government efficiency, like the Clinton-era reinventing government initiative, involved insiders and incremental changes.
Kushner's Office of American Innovation, similar to DOGE, seemed more like a vanity project than a serious effort.
insights INSIGHT
Outsiders vs. Insiders
Bringing in outsiders to identify inefficiencies can be effective in business, but it's uncertain whether this approach will work with the federal government.
Consultants often profit more than the businesses they're supposed to help, raising concerns about DOGE's potential impact.
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In *The Fifth Risk*, Michael Lewis delves into the Trump administration’s botched presidential transition, highlighting the consequences of willful ignorance and greed among its leaders. The book explores the critical services managed by the U.S. government, including ensuring food and drug safety, predicting extreme weather events, and tracking black market uranium. Lewis focuses on the Departments of Energy, Agriculture, and Commerce, revealing their often-overlooked roles and the dedicated employees who work within them. The title 'The Fifth Risk' refers to 'project management,' the unforeseen and long-term risks that only a vigilant and committed agency can forecast and prevent. Lewis's narrative is character-driven, featuring interviews with former federal staff members and historical context to illustrate the importance of effective government management and the dangers of short-term solutions[1][4][5].
This week: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have a lot of “plans” for the D.O.G.E. Emily Peck, Elizabeth Spiers, and Anna Szymanski discuss the suspect promises of the Trump-appointed heads of the Department of Government Efficiency. Then, Bitcoin is at a record high right now, though the value of crypto remains uncertain. Also, AI clones are being used to apply to jobs and even find us dates, but are they doing it well?
In the Slate Plus episode: New York City has passed a bill preventing landlords from charging tenants for broker’s fees. Finally!
Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen.
Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Cheyna Roth.
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