Ruth Ben-Ghiat, an NYU history professor and author of "Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present," joins the conversation, unpacking lessons from historical autocrats to analyze modern political figures like Donald Trump. The discussion traverses the alarming rise of authoritarianism and its parallels in today's media landscape. They delve into the implications of ongoing legislative efforts on online privacy and reflect on the normalization of political violence and its effects on democracy. It's a fascinating blend of history, politics, and contemporary issues.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Meta Stock Pick
Scott Galloway picked Meta as his stock pick in 2022 and it's up over 300% since then.
Meta is currently outperforming Twitter, highlighting the importance of good management in addition to innovation.
insights INSIGHT
Meta's Competitive Advantage
Meta's success is attributed to efficient cost-cutting, leveraging AI, and the growth of Instagram.
The company's targeting is more efficient now than before Apple's privacy changes due to better AI leveraging.
insights INSIGHT
High Tax Justification
High taxes in states like California, New York, and Hawaii are justified by their desirable locations.
These states can charge high taxes because people are willing to pay to live there.
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In 'Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present', Ruth Ben-Ghiat lays bare the blueprint followed by authoritarian leaders over the past 100 years. The book delves into the tools and tactics these leaders use, including propaganda, corruption, violence, and the weaponization of masculinity. Ben-Ghiat empowers readers to understand how these leaders obtain, maintain, and lose power, and how to prevent their disastrous rule in the future. The book is divided into sections on 'Getting to Power', 'Tools of Rule', and 'Losing Power', providing a comprehensive analysis of the strongman playbook.
The Three-Body Problem
None
Cixin Liu
Cixin Liu's 'The Three-Body Problem' is a critically acclaimed science fiction novel that blends hard science with compelling storytelling. The story follows a group of scientists who make contact with an alien civilization, leading to unforeseen consequences for humanity. Liu's intricate world-building and exploration of complex scientific and philosophical themes have earned him widespread recognition. The novel is known for its ambitious scope and its exploration of the potential challenges and dangers of encountering extraterrestrial life. It's a thought-provoking work that has captivated readers worldwide.
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman
In this book, Daniel Kahneman takes readers on a tour of the mind, explaining how the two systems of thought shape our judgments and decisions. System 1 is fast, automatic, and emotional, while System 2 is slower, effortful, and logical. Kahneman discusses the impact of cognitive biases, the difficulties of predicting future happiness, and the effects of overconfidence on corporate strategies. He offers practical insights into how to guard against mental glitches and how to benefit from slow thinking in both personal and business life. The book also explores the distinction between the 'experiencing self' and the 'remembering self' and their roles in our perception of happiness.
Kara and Scott discuss Meta's stock continuing to rise, California businesses challenging Gov. Gavin Newsom on taxes, and Elon Musk's robotaxi announcement. Then, Disney successfully fended off Nelson Peltz in a proxy battle, but where does the company go from here? Plus, could Congress be getting close to actually passing an online privacy bill? Finally, our friend of Pivot is NYU history professor and author of "Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present," Ruth Ben-Ghiat. Ruth explains what the autocrats of the past can teach us about Donald Trump.
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