Clearer Thinking with Spencer Greenberg

Becoming a policy entrepreneur (with Tom Kalil)

Feb 15, 2023

01:05:10

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Highlights

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Episode notes

Is There a Market Inefficiency in VCs?

03:52

Is It Possible to Build a Coalition?

03:08

Are You a Policy Entrepreneur?

02:31

Introduction

4min

Are You a Policy Entrepreneur?

3min

Working With Congress on Legislative Action

5min

Do You Have the Ear of the President?

3min

Is the Government a Black Box?

3min

Is It Possible to Build a Coalition?

3min

Do You Have What It Takes to Start a Successful Startup?

2min

Market Stimulating

5min

Is This a Good Approach to Climate Change?

6min

10.

Investing in Carbon Removal Startups

2min

11.

The Innovation Toolkit

3min

12.

Philanthropy and Talent

2min

13.

Is There a Market Inefficiency in VCs?

4min

14.

The Pandemic - What Would You Change Your Research Program if You Had More Discipline?

2min

15.

Clearer Thinking's Decision Advisor Tool Can Make It Easier

2min

16.

Is There a Future in Focused Research Organizations?

3min

17.

Are There Similar Opportunities in AI and Science?

5min

18.

Is OSTP the Office of Science and Technology Policy?

3min

19.

The Federal Government Has No Research and Innovation Capacity, Right?

2min

20.

Do You Have a Tour of Duty?

5min

Read the full transcript here.

What is a "policy entrepreneur"? Can people become policy entrepreneurs if they're not already a political office holder? Aside from literally speaking to the POTUS, what are some ways that policy entrepreneurs can make progress on their goals? Why is it so hard for some people to articulate actionable plans that would accomplish their goals? What is market shaping? Why do some government departments have no budget for R&D?

Tom Kalil is Chief Innovation Officer at Schmidt Futures. In this role, Tom leads initiatives to harness technology for societal challenges, improve science policy, and identify and pursue 21st century moonshots. Prior to Schmidt Futures, Tom served in the White House for two Presidents (Obama and Clinton), helping to design and launch national science and technology initiatives in areas such as nanotechnology, the BRAIN initiative, data science, materials by design, robotics, commercial space, high-speed networks, access to capital for startups, high-skill immigration, STEM education, learning technology, startup ecosystems, and the federal use of incentive prizes. Follow him on Twitter at @tkalil2050.

Staff