Against the Rules with Michael Lewis cover image

Against the Rules with Michael Lewis

Judging Sam: Week 2 Catch-up with Michael Lewis

Oct 16, 2023
Lidia Jean Cott, a court reporter covering the Sam Bankman-Fried trial, shares firsthand insights on the dramatic proceedings. She discusses Caroline Ellison's emotionally charged testimony and the courtroom's unexpected moments, revealing both tension and humor. Michael Lewis, curious about the trial's portrayal, questions Lidia on how the characters have evolved since his book. They explore themes of risk and responsibility, drawing parallels to the behaviors seen in high-stakes situations, all while navigating the intricate dynamics of trust and ethics in the crypto world.
25:36

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Caroline Ellison expressed fear and believed leaving Sam Bankman Freed's company would lead to its downfall.
  • Sam Bankman Freed exhibited a willingness to take risks and delegate them to others despite minimizing catastrophic risk.

Deep dives

Caroline Ellison's Testimony

During Caroline Ellison's testimony, she described her experiences working for Sam Bankman Freed and how she regretted the decision. She expressed that working for Sam was the biggest mistake of her life. Although she considered resigning, Sam convinced her not to, as he believed they needed her. Caroline conveyed a sense of fear and stability as she believed that leaving would lead to the company's downfall.

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