

Dwarkesh Podcast
Dwarkesh Patel
Deeply researched interviews www.dwarkesh.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

131 snips
Aug 7, 2025 • 1h 8min
It May Be Impossible to Outcompete Factory Farming – Lewis Bollard
Lewis Bollard, Farm Animal Welfare Program Director at Open Philanthropy, discusses the meat industry's surprising efficiency and its vast political influence. He highlights challenges in creating competitive cultivated meat and shares advancements like Inovo Sexing to reduce animal suffering. The conversation emphasizes the need for systemic reforms and innovative funding strategies to improve animal welfare in farming. Bollard advocates for informed consumer choices and better labeling in alternative farming to combat misperceptions.

379 snips
Jul 25, 2025 • 1h 56min
Sarah Paine: How Imperial Japan Defeated Tsarist Russia & Qing China
Sarah Paine, a historian specializing in East Asian history, delves into Japan's meteoric rise as a dominant power by defeating much larger adversaries like China and Russia. She highlights Japan's strategic modernization and military tactics, particularly the surprise attack at Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese War, drawing parallels to modern conflicts. The conversation also critiques traditional views of national power by emphasizing the importance of military logistics and cultural dynamics in shaping geopolitical outcomes.

720 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 2h 13min
Stephen Kotkin — How Stalin Became the Most Powerful Dictator in History
Stephen Kotkin, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and acclaimed biographer of Joseph Stalin, delves into the complexities of authoritarian regimes. He discusses Stalin's paradoxical relationship with revolutionary ideals, the psychological factors that drove cruelty under his rule, and the implications of autocratic governance on modernization. Kotkin raises thought-provoking questions about why people accepted Stalin's tyranny and the contemporary challenges faced by ideologically driven governments. His insights provide a compelling lens on the dynamics of power and legitimacy.

1,414 snips
Jul 3, 2025 • 14min
Why I don’t think AGI is right around the corner
The discussion dives into skepticism surrounding the current capabilities of AI in achieving artificial general intelligence. Insights are shared on how timelines for AGI vary wildly among experts, with some believing it's just years away. The challenges faced by large language models in learning and adapting like humans are explored, shedding light on their limitations. Predictions about future advancements in AI emphasize the need for improved continuous learning capabilities.

807 snips
Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 34min
George Church — A Billion Years of Evolution in a Single Afternoon
George Church, a pioneer in synthetic biology and a professor at Harvard and MIT, dives into groundbreaking topics like de-aging and de-extinction. He discusses the incredible advancements in gene therapy and the potential to extend human lifespan. The conversation takes a darker turn as Church warns about the ethical risks of synthetic biology, including weaponized mirror life. He also highlights the synergy between AI, material science, and synthetic biology, envisioning a future where biobots could revolutionize production technologies.

1,288 snips
Jun 19, 2025 • 2h 27min
China’s Manufacturing Dominance: State Directives & Ruthless Competition — Arthur Kroeber
Arthur Kroeber, a founding partner at Gavekal Dragonomics and expert on China's economy, dives deep into China's high-tech manufacturing dominance. He likens the government's approach to a giant VC fund, fueling fierce local competition with massive subsidies. Kroeber challenges the adversarial mindset towards China, advocating for a cooperative strategy instead. He also analyzes the rapid evolution of China's electric vehicle sector and the implications of its ambitious tech goals amid rising global tensions.

1,483 snips
Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 36min
“China is digging out of a crisis. And America’s luck is wearing thin.” — Ken Rogoff
Ken Rogoff, a Harvard economist and former chief economist of the IMF, shares insights on the economic challenges facing China and the U.S. He discusses the stagnation in China, highlighting the risks of debt crises globally. Rogoff warns of impending inflation in the U.S. and explores how AI could reshape economic forecasts. He also examines the future of the dollar, the impact of digital currencies, and the varying financial strategies of Asia's economies, revealing the interconnectedness of global finance and the urgent need for systemic changes.

2,124 snips
May 29, 2025 • 1h 29min
Xi Jinping’s paranoid approach to AGI, debt crisis, & Politburo politics — Victor Shih
Victor Shih, an expert on China's political and banking systems from UC San Diego, dives into the intricacies of Chinese governance and the implications of Xi Jinping's leadership. He discusses the CCP's unique approach to AI and the central role of a key Politburo figure in its regulation. The conversation also addresses China's staggering local debt crisis, highlighting how corruption has fueled overbuilding. Shih provides insights into Xi's strategies and the potential ramifications for Taiwan, painting a complex picture of China's future.

2,873 snips
May 22, 2025 • 2h 24min
Is RL + LLMs enough for AGI? — Sholto Douglas & Trenton Bricken
In a fascinating conversation, Sholto Douglas, a reinforcement learning researcher at Anthropic, and Trenton Bricken, an expert in mechanistic interpretability, dive deep into the evolving landscape of AI. They discuss the latest advancements in reinforcement learning and the implications of AI achieving human-level tasks. The duo explores how to trace AI models' thought processes and the challenges of aligning AI with human values. They also address the future of AI in workplaces, emphasizing the need for individuals to adapt and engage with these transformative technologies.

594 snips
May 1, 2025 • 10min
What Will Automated Firms Look Like?
Dive into the future of work where Artificial General Intelligence transforms the workforce into unlimited employees. Discover how AI is set to revolutionize knowledge sharing and change leadership dynamics for CEOs. Explore the evolution of corporations, from human-run to fully automated entities, and understand the potential of AI in replicating human skills with superhuman efficiency. Also, learn about Google's cutting-edge VO2 video generation model, showcasing innovation in content creation.