"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg

E131: Abundance Agenda, The New Right, and 2008 Retrospective w/ Noah Smith

12 snips
Apr 3, 2025
Guest
Noah Smith
In this conversation, economist Noah Smith, known for his insights on business and politics, engages in a thought-provoking dialogue. He discusses the Abundance Agenda and its surprising appeal amidst political despondency. The talk also reflects on Obama's presidency, highlighting challenges to national unity and past achievements. Noah critiques the 2008 financial crisis responses and explores the ideological shifts within the New Right, analyzing their impact on contemporary public discourse, identity, and the role of technology in shaping our future.
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INSIGHT

Abundance Agenda's Unexpected Popularity

  • The Abundance Agenda is gaining traction among Democrats and liberals, despite initial expectations of it being too wonky and optimistic.
  • This unexpected enthusiasm might stem from a yearning for national unity and a departure from divisive politics.
INSIGHT

Abundance Agenda Promotes National Unity

  • The Abundance Agenda fosters a sense of national unity by focusing on making the country better for all, not just specific groups.
  • It avoids zero-sum thinking and class warfare, offering a refreshing contrast to divisive political rhetoric.
ANECDOTE

Obama's First Term: A Precedent for Unity

  • Obama's first term offered a similar message of unity with his focus on ending the Iraq War, fixing the recession, and reforming healthcare.
  • He made reasonable progress on these, but his second term was marked by the rise of wokeness.
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