Everything is Everything

Isaac Newton was not just a great scientist, but the last of the magicians. Mohandas Gandhi was a black swan event: a flawed, complex man who shaped history. Welcome to Episode 7 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay talks about Isaac Newton, and why he was a product of historical forces. Amit cites Mohandas Gandhi as an example of why historical currents aren't everything, and historical accidents can produce a man like Gandhi who changes everything. Ajay and Amit also recommend some of their favourite books -- and one outstanding bookshop. This episode was first published on YouTube on August 11, 2023. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

Frédéric Bastiat taught us to seen the Unseen effects of our actions. Friedrich Hayek showed us how economies and societies really function. Welcome to Episode 6 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit and Ajay discuss the powerul ideas of two great Freddies. We learn how our government, like most goverments, redistributes FROM THE POOR TO THE RICH. We understand how economies work -- not through central planning, but the decentralised coordination of the price system. Amit and Ajay also recommend their favourite books for understanding how markets work. This episode was first published on YouTube on August 4, 2023. For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

J Robert Oppenheimer was an extraordinary man who dedicated himself to his field and his country -- and faced persecution from the mediocre and the venal. Welcome to Episode 5 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Ajay tells us the moving story of his hero, Oppenheimer -- and why that resonates with him. Amit talks about building cities and how power can corrode character. Listen in! This episode was first published on YouTube on July 28, 2023. For detailed show notes, click here.

Dive into the complexities of global oil dynamics as misconceptions about OPEC are unraveled. Explore the stark differences between fighting guerrilla warfare versus conventional battles, especially in India. Discover must-read literature that illuminates history and business in India, and delve into the emotional intricacies of Kieslowski's cinematic masterpiece, Decalogue. Finally, ponder the risk parallels between gambling and everyday life choices, revealing how our decisions are often just calculated bets.

We could all be many things, but we often allow ourselves to get boxed into one version of us. And we don't even realise this. Welcome to Episode 3 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah. In this episode, Amit and Ajay talk about the dangers of allowing yourself to be frozen into one version of you. They also discuss how the process of investigation & prosecution need to be fixed in India. If the incentives are right, it will not be easy for a party in power to harass its opponents using the law. Also, Amit recommends important primers on classical liberlism, and Ajay discusses why Hydroponics are problematic and should be cancelled. For full show notes, please visit the YouTube page for this episode.

In this episode, Amit Varma and Ajay Shah talk about artificial intelligence. How will it change the world? How excited should we be? How scared should we be? Also discussed: pioneering feminists, pioneering monsters and pioneering masala chai. For full show notes, go to the YouTubePage for this episode.

Get ready to dive into fascinating discussions! The hosts kick off with a light chat about haircuts and personal snake encounters. They unravel myths surrounding India's venomous snakes, revealing their real behaviors. A philosophical twist emerges as they explore seagulls' predatory nature and the moral dilemmas it raises. Human nature takes center stage, examining culture versus instincts. Finally, they reflect on U2's evolution in music and the complex relationship between adversity, creativity, and modern consumption. It's a blend of humor, insight, and deep thought!