Everything is Everything

Dive into the intricate world of India's GST, where the hosts dissect its original intent and current failures. Discover how cascading taxes hinder economic growth and the importance of a well-designed VAT. Learn about the role of zero-rating exports in fostering global competitiveness. The discussion emphasizes the need for low rates and a broad base to minimize evasion. Tune in for a compelling argument on restoring seamless input tax credit and adopting effective tax strategies to reignite growth.

Discover the profound benefits of reading, from boosting empathy to enhancing creativity. The hosts delve into how literature can serve as therapy and a tool for self-understanding. Learn practical tips to cultivate a reading habit, including creating a conducive environment and embracing your identity as a reader. Hear about analytical techniques for engaging with texts and the joy of slow reading. Plus, find out how to balance quality over quantity and make reading a social experience!

Ajay Shah, an esteemed economist with decades of experience in financial crises, joins to unravel their complexities. He explains how crises impair financial functions and categorizes them into five types, from banking to securities-market crises. Delving into historical examples like India's 1991 crisis and the 2008 global turmoil, he discusses the role of state intervention and regulatory challenges. Ajay also promotes essential reforms, advocating for a robust financial resolution framework and improved data infrastructure to better prepare for future disruptions.

Dive into the fascinating world of gender dynamics! Learn how anonymized search data exposes the hidden desires of men and women. Discover unconventional metrics that shed light on women’s empowerment and public presence. Explore the intriguing findings from dating apps, revealing age preferences and the Tinder-Gini effect. Unearth the complexities of modern relationships, sexual dissatisfaction, and the impact of cultural quirks on search behavior. Can men and women truly be friends? This discussion offers a fresh perspective on our evolving connections!

Explore how genetic data reshapes our understanding of human history, revealing migrations and intermixing over millennia. Discover the fascinating connections between phone metrics and personal behavior, including insights from battery life. Delve into how new measurement techniques are reframing historical debates and enhancing economic predictions, using everything from satellite imagery to quirky indices like lipstick sales. The hosts connect the intricate dance of data with societal dynamics and individual choices.

Sometimes, the data just ain’t enough. What’s going on in Russia? In fact, what’s going on in Karnataka — and all the rest of the world? Can we glean some insights in alternative sources of data?Yes we can. All hail nighttime lights!Welcome to Episode 116 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.In this episode, Ajay discusses his pioneering work in using nighttime lights data from satellites to get crucial insights about the world — most recently, Russia. Watch!TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: A poem! A poem!02:07 Chapter 1: The History07:07 Chapter 2: Getting Into the Details14:04 Chapter 3: Ajay’s Journey With the Data25:28 Chapter 4: The Russia-Ukraine WarFor full show notes, please click here!

Explore the intriguing ideas from James C. Scott's 'Seeing Like a State' as the hosts connect his insights to contemporary thinking. They delve into state legibility and the dangers of high modernism, highlighting how bureaucracies can misinterpret societal complexities. The pitfalls of reductionist approaches in governance and forestry are also critiqued, advocating for localized knowledge and humility in policymaking. Personal anecdotes and historical examples bring these concepts to life, encouraging listeners to rethink the relationship between citizens and the state.

The conversation dives into India's strategic response to a chaotic global order, examining the impact of U.S. tariffs and the complex India-U.S. trade relationship. Exploring historical economic growth from 1991 to 2011, the hosts advocate for globalization and foreign investment. They highlight the necessity for India to reform its economic policies, focusing on improved trade agreements and communication in policy-making. The discussion emphasizes the need for proactive engagement and innovation to thrive despite external pressures.

The Indian media landscape faces a series of crises, from relevance to trust, each affecting journalistic integrity. The shift from print to digital has altered how news is consumed, leading to financial pressures and degraded quality. The discussion delves into the historical resilience of journalists and the ongoing challenges of misinformation. With traditional media struggling, independent creators emerge as key players, highlighting the need for new support structures and innovative approaches in reporting. A critical examination of these dynamics reveals a complex future for journalism.

Human beings remain the same, while technology grows at a mad pace. This means that the face of war has changed forever. Everything we know now is already outdated.Welcome to Episode 112 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.In this episode, Ajay & Amit discuss the future of war. It’s scary. Are we prepared?TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: The Memory of Cities08:22 Chapter 1: Why Understanding War is Important11:41 Chapter 2: The Evolution of War18:03 Chapter 3: Naval Gazing25:19 Chapter 4: The Hellscape28:55 Chapter 5: Operation Spiderweb34:53 Chapter 6: Operation Rising Lion37:45 Chapter 7: The India-Pakistan Conflict40:11 Chapter 8: The Taiwan Question42:19 Chapter 9: Drone Swarms, Iron Beam and 3D Printers49:36 Chapter 10: Eight Principles1:09:41 Chapter 11: The Implications1:26:57 Chapter 12: Two Fears and One Exhortation1:37:25 Chapter 13: RecommendationsFor full show notes, please click here!