Everything is Everything

Dive into the maze of political labels like liberal, conservative, and socialist, as two hosts unravel their meanings and historical roots. Discover how terms have evolved and become distorted, fueling confusion in political discussions. Explore the foundations of ideologies like Marxism and libertarianism, and the implications of nationalism versus patriotism. With thought-provoking critiques and essential readings, this conversation aims for a clearer understanding of today’s political landscape.

The hosts dive into fun predictions for 2050, exploring how AI might create our entertainment and reshape our emotional lives. They discuss the possibilities of gene editing becoming mainstream and lab-grown meat revolutionizing our diets. The conversation touches on the rise of autonomous warfare and the ethics surrounding it. They envision a future where transport systems are automated and relationships are remapped by technology. With a mix of humor and seriousness, they tackle the profound impacts of these changes on society.

The hosts dive into a passionate critique of manufacturing, questioning its role in economic growth amidst calls for state intervention. They explore Bombay's aspirations to be a financial hub, uncovering historical challenges and the need for regulatory reform. The discussion shifts to the vital role of agriculture, highlighting innovative successes like the Netherlands. Unexpectedly, they connect sports to economic development, urging a rethink of industrial policies and the importance of entrepreneurship. It's a captivating blend of economics, history, and societal insights!

The podcast dives into the challenges plaguing India's manufacturing sector, linking historical missteps to the current stagnation. It contrasts the struggling manufacturing industry with the booming service sector, revealing crucial regulatory and operational inefficiencies. Listeners learn about the negative impact of outdated labor laws on competitiveness and employment opportunities. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for reforms and innovative frameworks to revitalize manufacturing and ensure sustainable growth in the global market.

Admit it, our last episode, You Should Start a Business, blew your mind. You couldn’t wait to get going! You wanted more!Welcome to Episode 103 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma & Ajay Shah.In this episode, Amit shares more gyan on starting a business. You have no excuse left now! Incorporate!TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 A Bumblebee Among the Social Butterflies02:53 Chapter 0: Setting the Stage05:02 Chapter 1: Be a Generalist10:13 Chapter 2: Practice First-Principles Thinking12:17 Chapter 3: Focus on the Customer18:50 Chapter 4: Focus on Product, Not Marketing23:15 Chapter 5: Choose a Mission Bigger Than Yourself28:12 Chapter 6: Think Long-Term40:12 Chapter 7: Choose Your Partner Well48:15 Chapter 8: Choose Your Employees Well53:11 Chapter 9: Hard Work is Non-Negotiable1:01:57 Chapter 10: Optimise for Truth-Telling1:10:55 Chapter 11: Embrace Simplicity1:15:20 Chapter 12: Have Professional Pride1:18:03 Chapter 13: Be Guided by Your Inner Scorecard1:19:55 Chapter 14: RecommendationsFor the full show notes, please click here.

This podcast dives into the exhilarating world of entrepreneurship, highlighting the myriad reasons to start a business. The hosts emphasize the importance of maintaining passion and commitment while ignoring naysayers. They discuss the power of focusing on high-impact ideas and taking decisive action, encouraging listeners to embrace risks for growth. An engaging segment quizzes listeners on iconic song lyrics, blending entertainment with valuable insights. The overarching message? Start your business journey now—success is waiting!

When we think about state intervention, the first principle we consider is whether it is necessary. But we should also think about whether it is possible — and how easy or hard it is. How do we figure this out?Welcome to Episode 101 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.In this episode, Ajay lays out the metrics by which we can judge the difficulty of a proposed state intervention. Monetary policy is easy. Financial regulation is hard. Let’s understand why!TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: The Light Has Gone out of Our Lives03:52 Chapter 1: Is This Easy or Is This Hard?06:51 Chapter 2: Metrics for Intervention15:49 Chapter 3: Some Concrete Examples28:52 Chapter 4: The Hacking Mindset32:02 Chapter 5: The Important Things are the Hard Ones40:32 Chapter 6: RecommendationsFor the full show notes, please click here.

We’ve reached episode 100 — HURRAY! — and it’s time for another session of Ask Me Anything. Amit and Ajay take questions from gentle readers about a variety of subjects, from Ajay’s love of suffering to Amit’s (dubious) haircare. (The two are not related.) Mad fun, watch!TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: Under the Banyan Tree03:38 The Questions Begin!1:40:10 NOT the Last BowFor full show notes, please ⁠click here⁠.

Regulation always has the potential to go wrong. But in India, it’s been worse than in much of the world. It has become a tool of oppression of the worst kind. Welcome to Episode 99 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.In this episode, Amit talks about the theory of regulation in general — and Ajay delivers a masterclass on how the Indian state turned it into a horror film. Despite that, the episode begins and ends with good news!TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: Good News!05:45 Chapter 1: The Theory and History of Regulation22:16 Chapter 2: Getting the Terms Right27:03 Chapter 3: Why Set Up a Regulator?36:14 Chapter 4: Where India Went Wrong46:36 Chapter 5: What is Wrong with the Regulatory State?47:52 Chapter 6: How Can We Fix This?53:52 Chapter 7: The Wonder That Was FSLRC1:01:56 Chapter 8: The Ecosystem of Ideas (and Ideas People)1:18:37 Chapter 9: RecommendationsFor full show notes, please ⁠click here⁠.

We define a state as the entity that has a monopoly on violence. But does political authority lead to political legitimacy? How do we define legitimacy? What happens without it? How should we approach it as citizens.Welcome to Episode 98 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.In this episode, Ajay draws from political philosophy to expand on the intricacies of the concept of political legitimacy. And at the end, Amit gives an impassioned monologue on why it may not even matter in India!TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: A Vacation & an Education03:07 Chapter 1: What is Legitimacy?11:53 Chapter 2: Where Does Legitimacy Come From?19:39 Chapter 3: What Goes Wrong Without Legitimacy?26:41 Chapter 4: What Public Choice Theory Tells Us32:57 Chapter 5: Legitimacy for an Ideologue36:36 Chapter 6: How to Increase Legitimacy44:35 Chapter 7: Amit Gives Context and Nuance55:33 Chapter 8: RecommendationsFor full show notes, please click here.