This week, we're sharing Richard Hanania and Noah Smith’s live conversation from Feb 6th, recorded for their Substack audiences. This is the first time the two writers have met, and in this conversation they covered fundamental differences between the American right and left movements. They also discuss Elon Musk's positioning as the future Republican kingmaker and Noah's theory that Musk envisions coordinating a global "anti-woke alliance" with Putin and Xi.
–
SPONSORS:
NetSuite
More than 41,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: https://netsuite.com/102
Found
Found provides small business owners tools to track expenses, calculate taxes, manage cashflow, send invoices and more. Open a Found account for free at https://found.com/econ102
AdQuick
The easiest way to book out-of-home ads (like billboards, vehicle wraps, and airport displays) the same way you would order an Uber. Ready to get your brand the attention it deserves? Visit https://adquick.com/ today to start reaching your customers in the real world.
Incogni
Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code ECON102 at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/econ102
–
SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
–
FOLLOW ON X:
@RichardHanania
@noahpinion
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
–
RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:
Richard Hanania’s Newsletter: https://www.richardhanania.com/
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
Too many Americans still fear the future: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/too-many-americans-still-fear-the
The chaos has arrived: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/the-chaos-has-arrived
Trump's Executive Branch Revolution: https://www.richardhanania.com/p/trumps-executive-branch-revolution
Trump impose large tariffs in first year?: https://manifold.markets/RichardHanania/trump-impose-large-tariffs-in-first?play=false
–
TAKEAWAYS:
- Richard notes Trump's first administration achieved success with Middle East normalization agreements.
- Noah compares Ukraine war to Finland's Winter War - Ukraine may lose territory but maintain independence.
- Richard questions whether taking NATO membership off the table could have prevented the Ukraine conflict.
- Right-wing politics revolves around personal loyalty while left-wing politics centers on ideological purity.
- Elon Musk is positioning himself as the kingmaker for the post-Trump Republican party.
- Richard supports technological progress, believing future generations should benefit from AI and genetic engineering.
- Noah argues societies that resist technological progress inevitably get left behind in global competition.
- Richard expresses skepticism about Democrats' ability to reform, citing Obama's failed education reform efforts.
- Noah predicts Democrats won't move away from "institutional wokeness" until the 2030s.
"Econ 102" with Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg 
