Deepak Disagrees

Dr. Shilpi Bhattacharya believes monopolies are a problem and competition regulation is essential. But what exactly makes monopolies harmful? Isn't state interference worse? And doesn't regulation just kill innovation?Shilpi is a professor at Jindal Global Law School, where she teaches and researches Competition Law and Digital Markets. She holds a PhD in the field and has also worked at a law firm in Singapore before moving into academia.⁠Episode notes

Tarunima Prabhakar believes that scraping publicly available data should be not just permitted, but actively defended. But what counts as "public"? Is scraping an act of theft? And how should researchers, platforms, and policymakers navigate these blurry lines?Tarunima is the co-founder and Executive Director of Tattle, a civic tech organization tackling misinformation on the internet. She has a strong background in computer science, public policy, and public interest technology.Episode notes

Samarth Bansal is a journalist and writer. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Plank, a new magazine dedicated to truth-seeking journalism for curious citizens.  But what does it mean for something to be true? Is there such a thing as an unbiased journalist? And how do we separate fact from fiction? ⁠Episode notes

Shambhavi Naik believes gene editing in children should remain unregulated beyond ensuring safety and compliance with existing laws. But what does "safe" mean? Where do we draw the line between therapy and enhancement? And what if someone goes rogue?Shambhavi is the Head of Research at Takshashila and chairs its Advanced Biology programme. A PhD in Cancer Biology, she has contributed to WHO guidelines on gene editing, India’s risk assessment of genetically modified crops, and the Rajya Sabha Parliamentary Committee’s work on the DNA Profiling Bill.⁠Episode notes

Amit Varma, a distinguished journalist and two-time Bastiat Prize winner, delves deep into the principles of classical liberalism. He eloquently discusses why self-ownership is crucial and contrasts it with the idea of anarchy. The conversation explores the moral implications of taxation as coercion, weaving in ethical debates on AI rights and dietary choices. Varma raises thought-provoking questions about governance, individual rights, and the complex interplay between personal freedom and societal needs, challenging listeners to rethink their views on ownership and freedom.

Anupam Manur believes price controls are a recipe for disaster. But is he overlooking the potential benefits? Can government intervention really stabilize markets and protect consumers? And what happens when markets are left entirely to their own devices?Anupam is a Professor at the Takshashila Institution, where he specializes in economics and public policy. His work spans diverse areas, including labor markets, international trade, and the gig economy. A frequent writer and commentator, Anupam is passionate about making economic concepts accessible to all.⁠⁠Episode notes⁠

Tanuj believes the AI hype train has gone too far. But is he being too short-sighted? Can AI really replace humans en masse? And what do terms like 'intelligent' and 'conscious' actually mean?Tanuj is the head of People+AI, an AI initiative under the EkStep Foundation. He works on policy issues related to AI, digital identity, payments, data protection, and drones. In a previous life, he was a venture capitalist and an entrepreneur.⁠⁠Episode notes⁠

Nitin Pai believes we do not regulate social media enough. But what about free speech? Who decides what we allow? And does it really threaten the edifices of democracyNitin is the co-founder and director of the Takshashila Institution, an independent think tank and school of public policy based in Bangalore. He dabbles in everything from high tech geopolitics, synthetic biology, space, defence economics, maritime strategy and ethical reasoning.⁠⁠Episode notes⁠

Manoj Kewalramani believes the right to artistic expression must be absolute. But what is art? How is it different from speech? And why does the right to swing your fist end where my nose begins?Manoj spent two decades in India's best news organizations before becoming the head of China Studies at the Takshashila Institution.⁠⁠Episode notes⁠