Arjun Khemani Podcast

Ethan Thornton, founder of Mach Industries and a young tech entrepreneur, dives into the future of warfare. He discusses the impact of autonomous systems on military strategy and the need for decentralized supply chains. Thornton shares his experience raising $85 million at just 19 and why innovative technologies are crucial against threats like China. He examines the strategic advantages of his Viper aircraft and reflects on lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing resilience in military manufacturing.

In this discussion, philosopher Peter Boghossian, renowned for his critiques of modern education and moral relativism, delves into the key ideas from the Enlightenment and their relevance today. He warns about the dangers of moral relativism and critiques how modern education is falling short in promoting critical thinking. The conversation tackles complex topics such as the intersection of speech and violence in ideological debates, the ideological manipulation of science, and the need for stronger epistemology to foster meaningful dialogue.

Zooko Wilcox-O’Hearn, a cypherpunk and co-founder of Zcash, joins forces with his brother Nate and cryptographer Sean Bowe to dive deep into the fascinating world of Zcash. They tackle Bitcoin’s privacy issues and explore the unstoppable nature of private money. The trio discusses the challenges and innovations in zero-knowledge proofs, the comparison between Zcash and Monero, and the quantum threats looming over cryptocurrencies. Their insights on privacy's importance and the cultural shifts surrounding digital cash will leave listeners intrigued.

Naval Ravikant, an influential entrepreneur and investor, shares profound insights on wealth, philosophy, and technology. He explores the search for truth versus the consensus of groups, emphasizing that innovation leads to resource abundance. Naval critiques the degrowth ideology and discusses the implications of regulations on technological progress. He also delves into human creativity as a unique trait and debates the balance of lifespan and health span. His perspectives challenge conventional thinking about freedom, knowledge, and the future of society.

David Deutsch, a renowned physicist and author, engages in a thought-provoking conversation about humanity's unique role in the universe. He critiques cultural relativism and the outdated educational system that stifles creativity. The discussion touches on the importance of fallibilism and how innovation transforms resources into wealth. Deutsch warns against the dangers of regulating AI and emphasizes the need for uninhibited exploration of ideas. He also explores the moral centrality of humans and the potential for space colonization.

Julian Barbour, a renowned physicist known for his exploration of time, joins theoretical physicist Samuel Kuypers in a captivating discussion. They delve into the idea that time is not absolute, but shaped by moments. The duo contrasts Newton’s views with modern theories, exploring shape dynamics and cosmic evolution. They tackle entropy and the universe's heat death, while pondering free will versus determinism. Barbour's unexpected passion for Shakespeare adds a creative twist, enriching their philosophical reflections on existence and reality.

Nat Eliason, author of Crypto Confidential, discusses Ayn Rand, writing a book on crypto, decentralized social media, pseudonymity, creativity through constraints, and the future of work. He also shares unconventional health practices and his writing app similar to Strava.

Johan Norberg is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and a writer who focuses on globalization, human progress and intellectual history. He is the author of In Defense of Global Capitalism, Progress: Ten Reasons to Look Forward to the Future, and The Capitalist Manifesto: Why the Global Free Market Will Save the World.Topics we discuss are well captured by the timestamps below. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it!Watch on YouTube or X. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast platform. Follow me on X for updates on future episodes.Click here to support my work. You can also send me bitcoin to this address.Timestamps0:50 - How Johan changed his mind about human progress3:50 - Pro-human flourishing cannot be anti-environment5:33 - Alternative words to describe capitalism8:30 - Why is there so much economic illiteracy?12:36 - Despise poverty, not wealth or inequality16:41 - We are taxing what we want more of18:46 - Degrowth and the fall of western education25:21 - The concept of “needs” is often abused29:27 - How to have infinite growth on a finite planet33:08 - Elon Musk34:43 - Javier Milei and Argentina39:34 - Privatizing law and justice systems43:52 - Child labor49:52 - Advice for young peopleFollow Johan on X: http://x.com/johanknorberg This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.arjunkhemani.com

Philosopher and venture capitalist Riva Tez delves into anarchy in crypto, Ayn Rand's world, child philosophy classes, AI safety, and longevity movements. Reflects on childhood impact and emphasizes seizing hidden opportunities and embracing online anonymity.

Journalist and founder Nicole Behnam discusses leveraging social media, NFTs, and cultivating communities and cults. She shares insights on her Clubhouse experiences, the impact of Ray Peat's teachings, and the importance of reducing seed oils in diets. The conversation also touches on parenting advice and the power of authentic storytelling.