Jon Askonas discusses the impact of disruptive technology on media, religion, culture, and politics. They explore the future of consensus reality and the role of military technology. The podcast also delves into the interplay of technology, culture, politics, and AI, the shift to a peer-to-peer media ecosystem, misconceptions of social media, and the impact of technology on conservatism.

Balaji Srinivasan, expert in social tribalism, cloud cartography, and internet values, discusses the power of cognitive territories, why the US is no longer a beacon, the convergence of India and the US, the rise of Asia, and his strategy to fix San Francisco.

Emad Mostaque and Sam Lessin discuss the investment potential of AI, its impact on consumer product experiences, banking, media, and entertainment industry. They also explore the future of inference and market predictions, the effects of AI companions on marriage and birth rates, and the sustainability of AI business models.

Erik Torenberg interviews Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican presidential candidate rapidly rising in the polls. They discuss his ideas about the culture war, affirmative action, and climate science. Vivek shares his journey from Silicon Valley founder to political candidate and explores his radical policy proposals. They also touch on topics like free speech, empathy in Silicon Valley, and the concept of 'woke'.

Samuel Hammond, senior economist, discusses AI, mental models, polarization, and political influence. Topics include AI safety concerns, Mormonism's lessons for AI risks, and the impact of AI on society. They also explore blind spots in libertarianism, government dysfunction, and the challenges of adapting to technological revolutions.

Biotech founder and investor Martin Shkreli joins Erik Torenberg and his co-host Jesse Genet on In The Arena podcast to dissect his controversies and crises through the lens of leadership. Martin goes deep into the leadership decisions and regulatory environment that led to him serving time in prison, the lessons he took away about tech and founding startups, and how he believes there is a hero’s journey arc up ahead. If you’re looking for an ERP platform, check out our sponsor, NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/upstreamIn The Arena is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. If you loved listening, subscribe at the podcast platform of your choice: https://link.chtbl.com/MwjyhPC5Upstream and In The Arena are part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.coRECOMMENDED PODCAST: Every week investor and writer of the popular newsletter The Diff, Byrne Hobart, and co-host Erik Torenberg discuss today’s major inflection points in technology, business, and markets – and help listeners build a diversified portfolio of trends and ideas for the future. Subscribe to “The Riff” with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg: https://link.chtbl.com/theriffTIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Episode Preview(01:52) Reliving Martin's most stressful moment(06:09) How the lawsuit impacted Martin's team(09:52) How the government handled Shkreli’s case(11:22) The day Martin was taken by authorities(14:28) Sponsor: NetSuite(19:10) Hedge funds’ relationships with the law compared with venture(25:57) The price hike and pharma industry norms(32:22) Explanation of charges(41:15) The new CEO(44:36) New trope of private equity pharma(48:57) The demise of trust in the media and Pharma Bro(57:11) Regrets and anger(59:45) The epidemic of criminal injustice(01:02:58) Being sued by the FTC under the Sherman Act (monopoly law)(01:06:03) Shkreli and Silicon Valley(01:08:31) Entrepreneurship post-indictment(01:15:40) Martin’s time in prison(01:21:48) Martin reflects on being a repeat founder, and where his passions lie now.X / TWITTER:@wagieeacc (Martin)@jessegenet (Jesse)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@inthearena_podPlease support our sponsors: Beehiiv | Shopify Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Shopify: https://shopify.com/torenberg for a $1/month trial periodShopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of all ecommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries. From their all-in-one ecommerce platform, to their in-person POS system – wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. Sign up for $1/month trial period: https://shopify.com/torenberg.This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

Bryan Caplan is a writer and professor of economics at George Mason University, as well as the author of four books, including The myth of the Rational Voter, and The Case Against Education. His upcoming book is on Feminism. In this conversation, we talked about Bryan's views on sex and relationships, innovative approaches to boost birth rates, homeschooling, and his theories on what actually divides the left and the right. If you’re looking for an ERP platform, check out our sponsor, NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/UPSTREAM--We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Every week investor and writer of the popular newsletter The Diff, Byrne Hobart, and co-host Erik Torenberg discuss today’s major inflection points in technology, business, and markets – and help listeners build a diversified portfolio of trends and ideas for the future. Subscribe to “The Riff” with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg: https://link.chtbl.com/theriffTIMESTAMPS(00:00) Episode Preview(03:00) Identifying trends that are technically correct but not politically correct(05:20) Why are humans having less kids(13:37) The best ways to not conform(15:28) Sponsor: NetSuite(16:59) Feminism(21:12) Homeschooling(23:25) Dating markets, hook ups, and standard-lowering(32:51) Bryan’s dating advice(41:51) Agency and mental illness(46:58) El Salvador’s approach to crime(56:27) Immigration(01:02:05) Ukraine(01:03:33) What really divides the left and the right?LINKS:Bryan Caplan, The Case Against Education https://www.amazon.com/Case-against-Education-System-Waste/dp/0691174652Bryan Caplan, Selfish Reasons To Have More Kids https://www.amazon.com/Selfish-Reasons-Have-More-Kids/dp/0465028616/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1691043786&refinements=p_27%3ABryan+Caplan&s=books&sr=1-2&text=Bryan+CaplanBryan Caplan, Open Borders https://www.amazon.com/Open-Borders-Science-Ethics-Immigration/dp/1250316960/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1691043816&refinements=p_27%3ABryan+Caplan&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Bryan+CaplanBryan Caplan, The Myth of the Rational Voter https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691138732/the-myth-of-the-rational-voterX:Bryan's Twitter: @Bryan_CaplanErik's Twitter: @eriktorenbergUpstream : @upstream__podPlease support our sponsors: Beehiiv | Shopify Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Shopify: https://shopify.com/torenberg for a $1/month trial periodShopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of all ecommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries. From their all-in-one ecommerce platform, to their in-person POS system – wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. Sign up for $1/month trial period: https://shopify.com/torenberg.This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

Marc Andreessen of Andreessen Horowitz sits down with Erik Torenberg and his Moment of Zen co-hosts Dan Romero and Antonio Garcia Martinez to discuss AI, religion, San Francisco politics, Eric Voegelin, and life extension. Subscribe to Moment of Zen: https://link.chtbl.com/mozIf you’re looking for an ERP platform, check out our sponsor, NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/upstream--We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.--RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Every week investor and writer of the popular newsletter The Diff, Byrne Hobart, and co-host Erik Torenberg discuss today’s major inflection points in technology, business, and markets – and help listeners build a diversified portfolio of trends and ideas for the future. Subscribe to “The Riff” with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg: https://link.chtbl.com/theriffLINKS:Check out Upstream's first interview with Marc, about Marc's Intellectual Education :Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0bYfnuju3PhHFtSGgiMmoz?si=ecLDCrn_TLaYa7Bh8Q50qgApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marc-andreessen-on-his-intellectual-journey-the-past/id1678893467?i=1000605668194Marc Andreessen, Fighting https://pmarca.substack.com/p/fightingMarc Andreessen, Why AI Will Save The World. https://pmarca.substack.com/p/why-ai-will-save-the-worldEric Voegelin, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_VoegelinBook: Regime Change by Patrick J. Deneen https://www.amazon.com/Regime-Change-Toward-Postliberal-Future/dp/0593086902TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Episode preview(02:30) The evolution of human entertainment from epic poetry to NPC Tiktoks(07:50) Violence is a choice(12:00) True democracy mandates military service as a virtue(16:05) Sponsor: NetSuite(17:22) Can San Francisco be fixed?(28:03) Marc's empirical argument for AI(31:45) Where Sam Harris gets it wrong(35:35) Eric Voegelin's concept of Immanetizing the Eschaton(41:40) What happens to religion after AI(48:54) What would Nietzsche say?(49:44) LLMs are already the subject of a religious war(53:28) What comes after liberalism(01:03:03) Based on Zuck's recent PR success, are alpha males back?(01:07:23) Men’s tailoring and the stripping of masculinity(01:09:50) Is Twitter’s influence the real world? Alana Newhouse on MOZ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmgtPetHBVw&t=349s(01:13:25 ) Is Left vs Right the central conflict of our time?(01:18:30) Life extensionTWITTER:@pmarca (Marc)@eriktorenberg (Erik)@upstream__pod.Please support our sponsors: Beehiiv | Shopify Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Shopify: https://shopify.com/torenberg for a $1/month trial periodShopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of all ecommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries. From their all-in-one ecommerce platform, to their in-person POS system – wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. Sign up for $1/month trial period: https://shopify.com/torenberg.

We're excited to introduce Upstream listeners to Econ 102 from Turpentine. In episode 1, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discuss the highs and lows of Biden's first term, Biden's policies in comparison to previous presidents and other leaders, as well as China - its real estate sector, industrial and manufacturing industries, and its views on tech. If you're looking for an ERP platform, check out our sponsor, NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/UPSTREAMSubscribe to Econ 102 at the podcast platform of your choice: https://link.chtbl.com/Econ102Econ 102 is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn more: www.turpentine.co--We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Every week investor and writer of the popular newsletter The Diff, Byrne Hobart, and co-host Erik Torenberg discuss today’s major inflection points in technology, business, and markets – and help listeners build a diversified portfolio of trends and ideas for the future. Subscribe to “The Riff” with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg: https://link.chtbl.com/theriffTIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Episode Preview(01:54) Overview of Biden's first term(03:08) The most important thing Biden's done (12:35) What are the chances of Trump returning?(14:03) In the 1970s once again(14:50) Sponsor: NetSuite(17:26) Noah's ideal foreign policy(17:46) Japan's importance in foreign policy(19:29) Main foreign policy concerns in the next cycle(20:46) The ideal containment strategy(22:05) China(26:23) Getting to 1 billion Americans as a foreign policy measure(27:24) Real estate in China(31:02) Comparing and contrasting Chinese and American industrial policy(38:05) China's stomp on the IT industry to encourage manufacturing(39:15)The difference in Chinese and American views of manufacturing (43:18) Revitalizing American manufacturing (47:16) The services industry(49:09) A shortage of human truckers LINKS MENTIONED:Real Estate is China's Economic Achilles Heel: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/real-estate-is-chinas-economic-achillesWhy is China Smashing its Tech Industry: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/why-is-china-smashing-its-tech-industryNoah Smith's newsletter: https://www.noahpinion.blog/Erik Torenberg's newsletter: https://eriktorenberg.substack.com/TWITTER:@noahpinion (Noah)@eriktorenberg (Erik)Please support our sponsors: Beehiiv | Shopify Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Shopify: https://shopify.com/torenberg for a $1/month trial periodShopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of all ecommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries. From their all-in-one ecommerce platform, to their in-person POS system – wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. Sign up for $1/month trial period: https://shopify.com/torenberg.This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

In this episode, Erik sits down with Agnes Callard to discuss her views on disagreement and progress, her inclination to question and operate outside of accepted societal structures, and why empathy is not always positive. Agnes Callard is a philosopher and essayist who specializes in ancient philosophy, ethics, and Socratic communication. If you're looking for an ERP platform, check out our sponsor, NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/UPSTREAMUpstream is part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn about sponsorships, email Erik@turpentine.co or head to www.turpentine.coRECOMMENDED PODCAST: Every week investor and writer of the popular newsletter The Diff, Byrne Hobart, and co-host Erik Torenberg discuss today’s major inflection points in technology, business, and markets – and help listeners build a diversified portfolio of trends and ideas for the future. Subscribe to “The Riff” with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg: https://link.chtbl.com/theriffTIMESTAMPS(00:00) Episode Preview(02:45) Progress in philosophy(05:13) Tensions between academic and public philosophy(07:56) Does philosophy make the world a better place?(09:11) Consulting philosophers(11:42) Why don't we go to philosophers instead of therapists?(15:28) Sponsor: NetSuite (16:56) Making the case for philosophy(19:22) Sometimes the more you know ain't so(23:46) Benefit of self-delusion(26:05) What do people misunderstand about Socrates? (27:23) Benefits of conceptual literacy (30:02) Irony in today's culture(35:10) Status games(37:30) Being Straussian vs being sincere(44:15) Is Tyler Cowan Straussian?(46:00) Agnes' investment into the biggest cultural war issues of our time (48:28) Why is John Mill's conception of free speech worn out?(50:12) Free speech is the freedom to listen(52:34) How do we justify hierarchy?(56:59) Equality is not a moral principle (58:14) Darwinian morality(01:01:02) Dark empathy (01:07:11) Intellectual masturbation(01:09:28) Love, marriage, and living philosophically(01:15:48) What are the questions Agnes wants to find answers to?(01:17:20) Did we just do philosophy for the past hour?TWITTER:Agnes' Twitter: @AgnesCallardErik's Twitter: @eriktorenbergUpstream : @upstream__podPlease support our sponsors: Beehiiv | Shopify Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.Shopify: https://shopify.com/torenberg for a $1/month trial periodShopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of all ecommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries. From their all-in-one ecommerce platform, to their in-person POS system – wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. Sign up for $1/month trial period: https://shopify.com/torenberg.This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.