"Moment of Zen"  cover image

"Moment of Zen"

Latest episodes

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Feb 16, 2024 • 1h 22min

E66: Chris Dixon on the Future of the Internet, Crypto, and Web3

Chris Dixon, a16z General Partner and author of the new book Read Write Own, discusses the evolution of crypto, blockchain's impact on industries, re-centralization, AI's implications on the internet economy, and media perception of tech.
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Feb 10, 2024 • 1h 19min

E65: How to Build a Startup Now, Finding PMF, and Navigating the Idea Maze

Dan Romero, former Coinbase employee and co-founder of Farcaster, discusses building a startup in 2024, finding product-market fit, and navigating the idea maze. They also dive into Dan's experience at Coinbase, building Farcaster, and evaluating startup ideas. They explore disrupting higher education, improving assessments, and the potential of pseudonymous social networks. Leveraging idle assets for labor and remote work in niche labor marketplaces is also discussed.
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Feb 2, 2024 • 1h 30min

E64: The U.S. vs Europe, Bryan Johnson and Human Longevity

Bryan Johnson, entrepreneur in human longevity, discusses the Europe vs United States debate, democracy in the age of social media, and the concept of immortality. They explore the implications of extended power and wealth, the impact of technology on society, and unique housing arrangements in France.
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Jan 29, 2024 • 1h 32min

E63: What does E/acc stand for?

Nadia Asparouhova and Bayeslord discuss the meaning and philosophy of effective accelerationism (e/acc), the polarization and nuance in the tech industry, the evolution of the optimistic vision of technology, the association of EA with the Democratic Party, the definition of E/acc and its comparison to philosophy, and moving towards offline action and community collaboration.
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Jan 21, 2024 • 1h 36min

E62: 2023 Recap, 2024 Predictions, Farcaster/Turpentine updates

Discussion of potential impact of a Trump win in 2024, appeal of populism, AI efficiency in startups, and update from Farcaster and Turpentine. Also includes analysis of major changes in vibe on Twitter, shifts in Silicon Valley and DEI policies, impact on industries, cancel culture, activism, anti-Semitism, critical race theory, politics in workplace, potential election impact, strategies for Democrats, and impact of AI on businesses.
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Jan 14, 2024 • 1h 53min

E61: Curtis Yarvin on Rufo, Harvard, FDR, and The Cathedral

Curtis Yarvin joins Dan and Erik to discuss an upcoming debate with Richard Hanania, FDR's leadership style, radical changes to institutions like Harvard, playing along versus making change, fluctuation of executive power in the US, reflections on leadership, FDR's leadership style and modern comparisons, competing revolutionary empires, and reflections on politics and a potential solution.
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Jan 9, 2024 • 1h 16min

E60: Bill Ackman, Harvard, and What Happens Next?

Bill Ackman and Harvard's 10-7 controversy, the future of education, disrupting elite schools, the value of credentials, wealth in universities, enacting meaningful change, and the potential disruption of Harvard.
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Jan 3, 2024 • 1h 29min

Sam Harris on Populism, Inequality, and Polarization

Neuroscientist and author Sam Harris discusses populism, inequality, and polarization. He delves into the negative effects of social media, critiques from the left and right, the evolution of progressivism, and the rise of white identity. The conversation also explores polarization, luck, global unity, and the importance of de-radicalization and podcasts in solving competence problems.
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Dec 30, 2023 • 1h 56min

Revisited: Moment of Zen's Origins with Marc Andreessen

Entrepreneur and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen discusses topics such as SBF, Twitter and censorship, as well as intellectual influences like Nietzsche and Burnham. Other interesting topics include the current situation of SBA and offshore exchanges, the viability of a crypto exchange, the state of consumer internet, the impact of Elon Musk's success on peers, content censorship, tribalism in Christianity, cultural immunity to weirdness, and the power of conflict and evolution in the American system.
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Dec 28, 2023 • 1h 26min

Katherine Boyle and Mike Solana on Liberal Arts Debate and Saving San Francisco

Katherine Boyle and Mike Solana discuss the drawbacks of the current educational system, the opportunity cost of our educated class, and elitism. They also explore the changing value of a college degree, the challenges faced by San Francisco, and the issue of homelessness in the city.

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