Manifold Seeking Truth From Facts: Weeks Where Decades Happen — #95
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Sep 25, 2025 
Steve Hsu, a theoretical physicist and founder of multiple startups, dives into geopolitical changes reshaping the world. He discusses China's military advancements, including scramjet hypersonics, and the significance of the recent SCO summit with leaders like Xi and Modi. Hsu explores the potential for a Sino-Indian rapprochement despite historical tensions and critiques U.S. strategies that may have pushed India closer to China. The conversation also touches on shifting sentiments toward Israel among Americans and the implications of a multipolar world.
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China Has Arrived Militarily
- China has largely caught up with the U.S. in major weapon systems and can likely mass-produce them more cheaply.
- The parade signaled China feels it has 'arrived' and cannot be easily intimidated by the U.S.
New Weapons That Change The Battlefield
- China revealed scramjet hypersonic missiles, large 'loyal wingman' drones, and unmanned submarines as qualitatively new capabilities.
- These systems change access, maneuverability, and stealth dynamics in future naval and air combat.
Talent Flows Explain Tech Shifts
- U.S. technical talent drifted to finance and away from defense, while China kept top talent in defense-related research.
- That talent allocation helped China rapidly close the R&D and deployment gap in areas like hypersonics.
