"The Riff" with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg cover image

"The Riff" with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg

Latest episodes

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12 snips
Sep 19, 2024 • 57min

E46: Degrowth, Private Equity, and the EU Tech Industry

Dive into the challenges facing the EU tech sector compared to the US, with a focus on regulatory inefficiencies and the impact on innovation. Explore the transformation of private equity and its influence on market dynamics alongside historical macroeconomic events. Uncover the complexities of navigating online reputations, as individuals manage the pitfalls of a vast digital landscape. Each topic weaves together insights into economic divergence, organizational dynamics, and the ongoing quest for decarbonization.
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9 snips
Sep 12, 2024 • 57min

E45: Efficient Market Hypothesis, Missing Billionaires, and Digital Currencies

Market efficiency takes center stage as the hosts dissect its evolution and the challenges of evaluating long-term investments. They delve into how tech firms balance short-term gains with innovations like self-driving technologies. The conversation shifts to corporate structures, suggesting that tech companies might thrive independently. The dynamics of modern currencies are explored, from the dominance of the dollar to digital spending in gaming. Lastly, Buffett's investment strategies prompt a discussion on risk and the evolution of investment management roles.
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12 snips
Sep 6, 2024 • 1h 2min

E44: Founder Mode, Uber’s Self-Driving Strategy, and Big Tech Skepticism

The discussion dives into taxing unrealized capital gains, revealing the complexities of high net worth individuals' financial struggles. They explore the balance between concentrated and diversified investments while assessing risks, specifically within the tech sector. The conversation touches on Uber's strategy in autonomous vehicles and contrasts the U.S. and Chinese mortgage systems. Lastly, the hosts advocate for an assertive 'founder mode' mindset, highlighting its potential to drive innovation amid startup challenges.
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15 snips
Aug 29, 2024 • 1h 3min

E43: The Silicon Valley Canon, Smart Contracts, and the Yen Carry Trade

Dive into the fascinating world of the Silicon Valley canon and its impact on tech culture. Discover how shareholder activism is evolving away from traditional profit motives. Uncover the surprising longevity of companies that seem destined to fail. Explore grocery retail innovations and the implications of data usage in enhancing customer engagement. Plus, get insights into a complex financial deal linked to a high-profile figure, emphasizing the importance of understanding economic perspectives.
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6 snips
Aug 22, 2024 • 1h 3min

E42: Navigating Tech Antitrust and the Future of AI

Balaji, a renowned thinker on decentralized networks and innovative governance, joins the discussion to tackle pressing issues in tech antitrust. He sheds light on the elusive balance of consumer welfare versus market power among giants like Google. The conversation navigates the complexities of AI trust, the evolution of content creation amidst misinformation, and the impacts of political discourse on social media dynamics. Balaji emphasizes the urgent need for transparency and accountability in journalism and competition, offering insights into the future of tech regulation.
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12 snips
Aug 15, 2024 • 55min

E41: Meta’s Open Source Strategy, Amazon’s Culture Drift, and What’s Going on With Character.AI

This week features the CEO of Character.AI, who joined the company after a stint at Google. They dive into Meta's innovative open source AI strategy and the benefits that come with it. The conversation also explores the changing dynamics between content providers and search engines, particularly Reddit's deal with Google and its implications for AI training data. Additionally, they discuss the Strategic Petroleum Reserve's role in economic stability, alongside the ethical challenges in business management and the competitive landscape of the AI sector.
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23 snips
Aug 8, 2024 • 1h 6min

E40: The Age of the AI Organization

Omar Shams, founder of Mutable AI, shares his insights on how AI is revolutionizing organizational productivity and dynamics. He discusses the shift of AI from a supplementary tool to functioning as a junior engineer, transforming traditional management practices. The conversation dives into the waste generated in different economic systems and critiques financial metrics like GDP as progress indicators. Omar also examines AI's political influence, ethical dilemmas, and its potential to disrupt various professions, particularly in law and software engineering.
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12 snips
Aug 1, 2024 • 1h 3min

E39: Mental Models and Financial Infrastructure with Patrick McKenzie

Patrick McKenzie, known as patio11 and host of the Complex Systems podcast, joins the conversation to delve into the fascinating world of financial infrastructures. They explore the historical evolution of financial products and the precarious balance between security and usability in transactions. McKenzie uncovers unique aspects of financial fraud, including quirky laundering methods, and reflects on the collapse of FTX. The discussion also highlights innovative recruitment strategies and emphasizes the importance of networking for talent discovery.
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4 snips
Jul 25, 2024 • 1h 1min

E38: Resurgence of Prediction Markets, AI Adoption and Complex Financial Systems

This podcast discusses the resurgence of prediction markets, Biden's nomination odds, and the impact of AI on software economics. They also touch on the balance of sophisticated vs. 'dumb' money, the costs of unreliable software breaches, and the evolution of financial systems post the great financial crisis.
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5 snips
Jul 18, 2024 • 60min

E37: 2024 Election Updates, Partisanship on Wikipedia, and Amazon’s Media Business

The hosts discuss the 2024 election changes, Wikipedia's partisanship challenge, and Amazon's media strategy. They cover the impact of events on the election, contrasts between Presidential and CEO roles, and the selection of JD Vance as VP candidate. Additionally, they explore algorithmic collusion in real estate, Wikipedia dynamics, AI influence, stock valuations, and Amazon's media business evolution.

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