Eureka

In this engaging discussion, Tyler Cowen, an economist and the mind behind Marginal Revolution, dives into topics like the uneven distribution of agency in society, particularly among women, and how cultural norms shape modern dating and family planning. He critiques the declining fertility rates and explores economic factors affecting parenting choices. Cowen also reflects on the complexities of cultural integration in countries like Australia, while humorously expressing his thoughts on global literature, young love, and the legacy of artistic giants.

We cover a lot:the immigrant impulserascality as a temperamentfatherhoodJudaismunchosen obligations as the nexus to a meaningful lifethe intellectual life as respite to depression+ more This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kvetch.au

The history of the Jews, including Ashkenazim, Sephardim and smaller communities like Greek, Yemenite, Moroccan, and Chinese Jews, and how their experiences diverged around the world. Plus, the miracle of modern genomics.“I’m imagining a future where genomics gives us a window onto the biochemical metabolic processes that are going on. We shall be as gods. We are biting of the apple”“The first human genome was $3bn. In 2010 the human genome was $20,000, and now it’s $200.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kvetch.au

Noah as a Lithuanian yeshiva studentAmerican growth and declineCritical Race TheoryHow the left dominates academia and has cut off the right’s head2020 riots and how we know anythingNoah's conversion out of Judaism and into 90s gamer cultureCultural preservation, including JudaismChristian revivalismThe misguided fixations of the right and the leftThe fertility crisisNoah’s cultural composition: Jewish, Texan and JapaneseWhat Noah invests in+ Much more This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kvetch.au

On life as an angel, failure and success, humility, portfolio construction, what we can knowEast Coast vs West Coast Differentiation in a world of cheap capitalWhat a restructuring background can teach you and why he didn’t pursue private equityThis moment in technological and political historyWhat he’s readingWhether you should become a VC todayWhy he teaches“The biggest mistake most new angels make is they invest in things where they know it’s going to succeed” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kvetch.au

A special episode for the Sydney Cremorne Jewish community, everyone welcome to listen in  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kvetch.au

This conversation picks up on a strand that I’ve been thinking a lot about. Diana Fleischman in my conversation with her said: Institutions are increasingly reflecting the values of middle aged women. Tyler Cowen often writes about the feminization of society at Marginal Revolution. In addition to feminisation we discuss:Growing up with another languageRichard’s folkwaysAmerican culture as a dissolventImpact of immigrant backgroundMoney, fame or power?What is the source of GOP derangement? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kvetch.au

Diana's writing a book called “How to Train Your Boyfriend” – so, there’s a lot of that. We also discuss:The mating market and the downstream effects of untangling sex from marriage Big lies in the open todayThings that don’t work if you name themFeminisation of society and how, in her words, institutions are increasingly reflecting he values of single middle aged womenSorcery and witchcraftThe problems of knowledge in evolutionary psychologyAnd a lot more. Including tangents. Lots of tangents. This was a really fun conversation. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kvetch.au

Razib and I discuss “Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World” by Jack Weatherford, which Razib had recommended. We deep dive on the book, read extracts and discuss the Mongols and related history.We discuss:The profound achievements and impact of the MongolsPotential relationship between the founding story of the Mongols and the story of GenesisCultural and political aspectsMilitary tactics and brutalityHow they seem somewhat liberal and globalist in a surprisingly modern wayHow they seemed in many ways less brutal than their contemporariesThe decadence of second and third generation KhansOther downstream effects of their rule This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kvetch.au

Fun conversation with Delian Zebulgar, who is both a full time VC investor at Founders Fund and a co-founder of space manufacturing startup Varda. What better excuse to speak to a guy? I discover the space economy is much closer and bigger today than most people think. Also pleased and surprised to learn that Australia and New Zealand are up there in terms of pushing the space frontier - yet another reason to be bullish the region. We talk about:Space factories!What a mature space ecosystem looks likeHow he walks the line between exploring opportunities and focusing on doing something great, which is something I struggle with a lot as wellWhat makes a great operatorWhat he disagrees about with some of the people we both admire mostHow he made his best public markets trade ever by betting against Peter ThielWhat impact his Eastern European immigrant background has had on himI hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Let’s go! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kvetch.au