Explore the analogy of government as a living entity accountable to Darwin's principles, not Newton's, and its application to managing money. Analyze global demographic trends and their impact on economic models. Discuss the practicality of Ben Graham's stock-picking formulas and the evolution of investing strategies. Emphasize the importance of adapting to changing market dynamics for financial success.
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Quick takeaways
Woodrow Wilson viewed government as a living, evolving entity, not a rigid machine, emphasizing the need for adaptation and flexibility.
Demographic shifts challenge traditional economic models reliant on population growth, emphasizing the importance of adapting to evolving trends.
Deep dives
Wilson's View on Government as a Living Entity
Woodrow Wilson, the only US president with a PhD in political science, believed that the government is not a machine but a living thing. He argued that the government should evolve and adapt, influenced by its environment and tasks, rather than conforming to fixed rules like a machine. Wilson's comparison of government being accountable to Darwin's theory of evolution, not Newton's laws, emphasizes the need for flexibility and change in governance.
Demographic and Economic Evolution
The podcast discusses the shift in demographics and its impact on the economy. Historically, populations grew, fueling economies, but changes in living conditions and competition led to declining birth rates. This demographic shift challenges long-standing economic models reliant on population growth for growth projections. Despite these changes, the podcast remains optimistic about future economic growth and highlights the importance of adapting to evolving demographic trends.
Benjamin Graham's Evolving Investment Strategies
The episode delves into Benjamin Graham's investment strategies, emphasizing their evolution over time. While Graham's book, 'The Intelligent Investor,' is revered for its wisdom, practical application of his formulas has proven challenging in modern markets. Graham himself adapted his strategies throughout his career, discarding old formulas for new ones as market conditions changed. This highlights the importance of flexibility and adaptation in investment strategies.
Woodrow Wilson was the only president with a Ph.D. in political science.
He came to office having thought more about how a government functions than most before him or since.
One of his complaints was that too many people in government held the belief that it was a Big Machine: that once you set up a series of rules you could take your hands off the wheel and let the government run on its own forever. They viewed government like physics, with a set of customs and laws that required no updating or second-guessing because they were believed to be precise and perfect as they were.
Wilson thought that was wrong. He viewed government as being a living thing that adapted and evolved.
I really don't care about politics. But he had a theory that I think is so important, and so applicable, to us ordinary people managing our money.
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