Slate Money Good Riddance to Larry Summers
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Nov 22, 2025 The discussion kicks off with Larry Summers' resignation following scandalous emails with Jeffrey Epstein, raising questions about his intellectual legacy. The hosts delve into Meta's recent legal victory, examining the challenges of regulating Big Tech and questioning the effectiveness of current antitrust measures. The conversation shifts to the AI market, exploring whether it’s truly a bubble or a sound investment. They debate corporate debt risks and the impact of AI on the economy, rounding out the chat with cultural tidbits from the art market.
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Summers‑Epstein Emails And The Fallout
- Larry Summers exchanged emails with Jeffrey Epstein even after Epstein's 2018 exposure and jailings.
- Summers asked Epstein for advice about pursuing an academic mentee, which reporters called creepy and manipulative.
Smart In Debate, Not Necessarily In Outcomes
- Summers' reputation for brilliance rests more on debate skill and rapid demolition of ideas than on clear, enduring published breakthroughs.
- Felix argues Summers often wins arguments but repeatedly fails at consensus‑building and durable policy success.
Public Missteps That Dented Summers' Image
- Felix recounts a blog comment comparing Summers' fame to 'Pig Shagger Jones' and used it as a provocation.
- He cites Summers' World Bank pollution memo and other public failures as examples of his many missteps.