Everything is Everything

Last week, we went through a 101 of globalisation: the first principles, why it rocks, why tariffs are terrible. We also did a potted history of how it spread and almost unravelled. Now, it’s time to come to these current times.Is globalisation doomed?Welcome to Episode 96 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.In this episode, Ajay brings the narrative up to the present times. What GATT and the WTO achieved, why they weren’t enough, where the fault lines lie, the problem of China, and the damage the Trump tariffs can cause.TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: The Need for a 10102:43 Chapter 1: The Aftermath of Smoot-Hawley10:34 Chapter 2: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About GATT (But Were Afraid to Ask)20:28 Chapter 3: Some Wrinkles to Consider55:43 Chapter 4: The Trumpist Arguments1:05:41 Chapter 5: The Trump Tariffs1:14:54 Chapter 6: What Next?1:18:11 Chapter 7: India’s Opportunity1:25:29 Chapter 8: RecommendationsFor magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, ⁠⁠click here⁠⁠.

Globalisation is great. Tariffs are terrible. But why? What is the history of trade? What is the history of the ideas around it?Today, more than ever, it is important to understand.Welcome to Episode 95 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.In this episode, Amit and Ajay give a 101 masterclass on why globalisation is great — as well as a 101 history of globalisation so far.TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: The Need for a 10105:52 Chapter 1: Why is Globalisation Great?34:30 Chapter 2: The Story of Globalization57:25 Chapter 3: Let’s Bust Some Tariff Myths!For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, ⁠click here.

For all the toxicity of social media, it is also a source of much Good Gyan, as every day the best minds in the world think aloud for our benefit. Here’s another conversation about some more wisdom that we have gathered! Welcome to Episode 94 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: Two Good Dogs00:45 Good Gyan 1: Desire04:23 GG 2: Greatness22:40 GG 3: Productivity24:26 GG 4: Normalcy28:09 GG 5: Passion30:13 GG 6: Talent36:10 GG 7: Imperfectionism44:40 GG 8: The Hard Yards46:44 GG 9: Procrastination49:15 GG 10: Making It54:09 GG 11: Our Shrinking Future56:30 GG 12: Spring59:10 RecommendationsFor magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, ⁠click here.

The conversation opens with the enchanting allure of social media as both a blessing and a curse. Insights are shared about personal growth through solitude and community interactions. They dive into the differences between structured creativity versus organic growth, and the role of AI in creative processes. Key discussions revolve around the significance of self-awareness for happiness, the complexity of navigating modern discourse, and the importance of preparation over rigid planning for success.

Too often, we think a Strong Man will solve all our problems, and that decisive leadership is all a nation needs. This could not be more wrong. We need strong rules, not strong rulers — and we need those strong rules to restrain the state. The secret to prosperity lies in rules, not discretion.Welcome to Episode 92 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.In this episode, Ajay explains the history of a concept that is one of the most important in political philosophy: Rules, Not Discretion. Also discussed: the contribution of economics to this concept, what poker also teaches us, and why rowing machines are good for you.TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: A Rebel With Rules01:03 Chapter 1: Beware of the Strong Man09:16 Chapter 2: Ireland’s Story20:33 Chapter 3: Monetary Policy26:01 Chapter 4: A Paper That Made Ajay Drunk With Happiness28:52 Chapter 5: Focus on Rules43:31 Chapter 6: Rules are the Key to Growth48:48 Chapter 7: Amit’s Thoughts1:05:08 Chapter 8: Other Applications of this Framework1:17:25 Chapter 9: RecommendationsFor magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, ⁠click here⁠.

We think of the state as a monolithic beast -- but it should be anything but monolithic. The state exists to serve us, not rule us, and for that, we must have checks and balances -- and the best kind is the separation of powers.Welcome to Episode 91 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.In this episode, Ajay explains why for democracy to be meaningful, a separation of powers is essential. We talk history, theory and India's story.TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: The Planner and the Doer02:59 Chapter 1: Introducing the Subject06:10 Chapter 2: Arriving at The Separation of Powers18:02 Chapter 3: The Indian Story33:08 Chapter 4: What Some Regulators Get Wrong38:32 Chapter 5: Two Big Developments in the US49:55 Chapter 6: Some Additional Thoughts55:26 Chapter 7: RecommendationsFor magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

The discussion dives into how constraints can fuel creativity, showcasing stories of iconic figures like Joni Mitchell and Frida Kahlo, who turned personal challenges into artistic expressions. It highlights Dr. Seuss's genius with limited vocabulary in 'Green Eggs and Ham,' proving that limitations can spark innovation. The narrative underscores the role of storytelling and childhood experiences in enhancing imagination. Listeners are encouraged to see their own obstacles as opportunities for creative breakthroughs, celebrating the idea that restrictions can lead to unique solutions.

There are few things a government can do to harm society more than Industrial policy. It sounds well-intentioned, but is born out of hubris and results in disaster.Welcome to Episode 89 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.In this episode, Ajay breaks down the thinking behind industrial policy, the practice of it, and why it is always bad for the people.TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: The 500 Dollar Bill08:01 Chapter 1: What is Industrial Policy?15:39 Chapter 2: How Industrial Policy Works26:50 Chapter 3: Subsidies42:54 Chapter 4: The Folly of PLI52:56 Chapter 5: Coercive Power57:36 Chapter 6: Ethno-Nationalism1:05:42 Chapter 7: Government Monopolies 1:11:54 Chapter 8: The China Question1:14:55 Chapter 9: What Should the State Do?For magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

Society needs free speech. Democracy needs free speech. For our lives to have meaning and purpose, WE need free speech.Welcome to Episode 88 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.In this episode, Amit lays out the case for free speech absolutism -- and also, the troubled history of free speech in India. TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: It's Not All Black and White03:02 Chapter 1: The Ranveer Episode13:45 Chapter 2: The Arguments for Free Speech20:43 Chapter 3: The Troubled History of the Freedom of Expression34:46 Chapter 4: The Hypocrisy of the Elites41:23 Chapter 5: Some Common Objections to Free Speech50:28 Chapter 6: Ajay’s Closing RemarksFor magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.

Humanity has progressed more in the last few decades than in all of history before that. Moore's Laws -- yes, we used the plural -- go some way in addressing that, as do a couple of other frameworks shared in this episode.Welcome to Episode 87 of Everything is Everything, a weekly podcast hosted by Amit Varma and Ajay Shah.In this episode, you will find mathematical joy, technological wonder and life lessons that are priceless. TABLE OF CONTENTS: 00:00 Packaging00:13 Intro: Testing Ajay's Math Skills04:57 Chapter 1: What is Moore’s Law?12:56 Chapter 2: The Implications of Moore’s Law23:17 Chapter 3: The Impact on Prices33:04 Chapter 4: Two More Frameworks51:38 Chapter 5: I, CPU1:00:26 Chapter 6: Some Larger Thoughts1:11:44 Chapter 7: RecommendationsFor magnificent, detailed, juicy show notes, click here.