The David McWilliams Podcast
David McWilliams & John Davis
The aim of this weekly podcast is to make economics easy, uncomplicated and accessible. With the world at a political, technological and financial tipping point, economics has never been so important to all of us and yet, it’s made inaccessible and complicated by so many.I’ve always thought what is complicated is rarely important and what is important is rarely complicated.That will be our motto.Every week we are going to tease out some big economic or political issue facing us, not just here in Ireland but in Europe and further afield. Globalisation has brought us all together. We all face similar challenges whether you live in Dublin, London, Minnesota or Milan.If you would like to enjoy all of our content ad-free and have early access to episodes, subscribe to DMCW+ on Apple Podcast.If you would like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/DavidMcWilliams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 2, 2024 • 42min
2024:27 Sam Bankman Fried and Male Over-Confidence with Michael Lewis
Crypto entrepreneur SBF and author Michael Lewis discuss male over-confidence, white-collar crime, and the Dunning-Kruger effect in the world of crypto. They explore the evolution of finance, historical market speculation, and the necessity of regulation in the crypto sector.
Mar 28, 2024 • 30min
2024:26 The Curse of Inheritance
Exploring inter-generational wealth in Florence and the persistence of inequality through inheritance. Discussing societal impacts, tax evasion, and the potential for catastrophic social change. Contrast between historical public works funding and modern wealth hoarding. Insights on wealth distribution, inheritance trends, and wealth concentration. Delving into equality of opportunity, wealth dynamics in Ireland, and historical impacts on wealth disparities.
14 snips
Mar 26, 2024 • 40min
2024:25 Should We Copy The Swiss Or Is That Too Cheesy?
Should we adopt Swiss governance principles in Ireland? Examining bottom-up vs. top-down systems, fiscal federalism, and direct democracy. Discussing the influence of Calvinism on Swiss society and the potential for 'Protestant Pragmatism'. Exploring the idea of Irish reunification as a catalyst for redesigning the political system. Advocating for empowering local communities and embracing a reformation mindset for more accountable governance.
Mar 21, 2024 • 28min
2024:24 The Dehumanisation of Curiosity
This podcast delves into the potential ban of TikTok in the US, highlighting the power-play within the tech cartel. It discusses how algorithms have shifted human curiosity to passive consumption, impacting platforms like Spotify and YouTube. The conversation also explores the economics of data and personalization, as well as the manipulation of time and data by technology platforms like TikTok.
Mar 19, 2024 • 41min
2024:23 The Economics of the Creative Mind with Ed Guiney
Delve into the Irish cinematic resurgence with Ed Guiney, mastermind behind Oscar-winning films like 'Brooklyn'. Explore the economics of filmmaking in Ireland, from tax incentives to global success. Uncover the secrets to Ireland's rise as a film hub and the evolution of storytelling on the big screen.
Mar 14, 2024 • 34min
2024:22 The Irish Government, as trustworthy as a Kate Middleton photo-album?
Exploring the distrust towards Irish government, questions on Ireland's progressive identity, societal unrest and political change. Delving into the unique charms of Dunneery, political landscape shifts, emphasis on trust in democracies, and navigating uncertainty amidst societal transformations.
4 snips
Mar 12, 2024 • 30min
2024:21 Bitcoin is Still Not Money
The podcast delves into the controversial nature of Bitcoin, highlighting how it often benefits the wealthy at the expense of unsuspecting individuals. Despite its popularity, Bitcoin lacks key attributes of money and primarily functions as a speculative asset. The host questions who truly benefits from Bitcoin's volatility, especially as big tech and SEC embrace it. The discussion also explores Bitcoin's evolution from a fringe asset to mainstream investment, sparking debates about its countercultural roots and potential bubble-like behavior.
4 snips
Mar 7, 2024 • 33min
2024:20 Why Is China Getting So Rich?
Join the discussion on China's economic rise, gender equality, and cultural norms in Southeast Asia. Explore the impact of China's one-child policy, gender imbalances, and societal evolution. Discover the interplay between money, gender dynamics, and cultural norms in shaping societies. Delve into contrasting views on wealth between Chinese and Western cultures, and the future of young girls in economic empowerment.
Mar 5, 2024 • 34min
2024:19 ADHD Nation
Exploring the impact of black swan events on contemporary art & culture, questioning if social media is to blame for derivative works. Analyzing the transition of art from expression to instant gratification, discussing the threat of derivative content on creativity and human culture.
10 snips
Feb 29, 2024 • 32min
2024:18 Stuck in 1980s
The podcast explores how Ireland's economy has grown significantly since the 1980s, yet public infrastructure remains stuck in the past. It delves into the challenges of regional development, transportation planning inefficiencies, and the unbalanced economic development among Irish cities. The hosts also discuss themes like 1980s nostalgia, French history in Cork, and the need for improved infrastructure to benefit rural areas.
