Hidden Forces

Bradford McArthur, host of the documentary series "The Empire's New Clothes," dives into the cyclical forces shaping empires and societies. He discusses financial nihilism as a contemporary investment philosophy, addressing the complexities of market speculation. The conversation also navigates the post-truth landscape, emphasizing the need for unified societal truths. McArthur examines the interplay between leadership, media influence, and the importance of personal growth amidst financial struggles, highlighting the relevance of active participation in both politics and investing.

Kai-Fu Lee, CEO of Sinovation Ventures and former president of Google China, shares his insights on our AI-driven future. He discusses the pivotal technologies, like deep learning and quantum computing, that will shape the next two decades. Kai-Fu delves into the ethical dilemmas facing autonomous vehicles and the societal challenges posed by job displacement. He also explores the unsettling potential of AI and digital currency within a post-scarcity world, emphasizing the need for transparency and ethical considerations in technology.

Simon Mikhailovich, founder and Managing Partner of The Bullion Reserve, shares his profound insights as an émigré from the Soviet Union. He reflects on the harsh lessons learned from his upbringing in Leningrad and the complexities of Soviet life, linking them to today's socio-political challenges in the West. The discussion shifts to the waning faith in traditional safe havens like U.S. treasuries, highlighting gold's enduring value as a reliable investment amidst systemic risks. Mikhailovich emphasizes the importance of strategic relationships to ensure liquidity during uncertain times.

Adam Tooze, Professor of History at Columbia University and author of "Shutdown: How COVID Shook the World Economy," unpacks the tumultuous first year of the pandemic. He analyzes the interplay between power and knowledge, examining how trust in authorities was fractured. Tooze also critiques the fragility of the neoliberal order and discusses challenges posed by rising powers like China. The conversation delves into the future of U.S. leadership, the role of central banks, and the pressing need for innovative solutions to climate change and societal division.

In this engaging discussion, Daniel Markey, a Senior Expert on South Asia and author of "China's Western Horizon," dives into China’s complex relationship with its Eurasian neighbors. He reveals how China's historical perspectives shape contemporary security concerns and economic goals. Markey explores the Belt and Road Initiative's evolution into a geopolitical strategy, addressing its implications for regional dynamics and partnerships, especially with Russia. The conversation also reflects on the geopolitical shifts following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and their impact on alliances.

Jonathan Schroden, Director of the Countering Threats & Challenges Program at CNA and strategic advisor on Afghanistan, dives deep into the complexities of America's withdrawal from Afghanistan. He discusses the public narratives surrounding the chaotic exit and the strategic reasoning behind it. Schroden highlights the failures of U.S. military strategies, the Taliban's adept use of technology for information warfare, and the role of corruption within the Afghan government. He also examines the implications of this withdrawal on regional stability and the threat posed by emerging terrorist organizations.

Laurel Miller, Director of the International Crisis Group’s Asia Program and former deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan, delves into the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. She explores the rapid collapse of the Afghan government and army, shedding light on the intelligence oversights that contributed to the fallout. The conversation touches on China's, Russia's, and Iran's implications amid these shifts, the challenges facing the Taliban in governance, and the lessons learned from U.S. foreign policy miscalculations in the region.

James Aitken, an insightful investor and macro-financial strategist, discusses the complex dynamics of the oil industry and how ESG mandates are affecting prices. He highlights opportunities for value investing in the post-COVID economy and dives deep into China's digital currency, exploring its disruptive potential on global capital markets. The conversation shifts to the implications of regulatory changes in China on American foreign policy and the future of the dollar, revealing a captivating intersection of finance and geopolitics.

The host dives into listener questions about the art of podcasting, guest selection, and the intricacies of engaging conversations. They reflect on transformative dialogues that reshape viewpoints on economics and politics. A fascinating exploration of historical eras reveals personal preferences for cultural moments, while discussions on consumer capitalism trace its evolution. The conversation also shifts to career transitions and the challenges of live television, all infused with optimism about future explorations and adventures.

In Episode 202 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with veteran BBC technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones about the biggest developments and news stories in tech from the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s to the rise of Google and Facebook. These stories and more are included in Rory’s new book “Always On,” which chronicles the rise of the smartphone era and how technology has altered our customs, expectations, and lives in ways that are easy to forget only fifteen years since the launch of the first iPhone. This is a conversation unlike most any other that you will have heard on this podcast, because there isn’t any one particular lesson that you are meant to take away from it. Instead, we want you to use it as an opportunity to reflect on just how much change we’ve seen in our lives over the last fifteen years and think about not only the causes of that change, but how different the world will be over the next fifteen if current trends continue and what that’s going to mean for our lives, for our businesses, and for our political systems. In the overtime, Rory shares his impressions of Silicon Valley culture and what he’s learned from interviewing some of the most powerful people in tech. Demetri and Rory also discuss the transformation of media, cultural differences between British and American journalists and the press, and the future of independent publishing and podcasting and what it means for the viability of traditional news outlets, especially those that depend evermore on sensationalism and controversy in order eke out a profit in this hyper-competitive media landscape. You can access the episode overtime, as well as the transcript and rundown to this week’s episode through the Hidden Forces Patreon Page. All subscribers gain access to our overtime feed, which can be easily added to your favorite podcast application. If you enjoyed listening to today’s episode of Hidden Forces you can help support the show by doing the following: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | SoundCloud | YouTube | CastBox | RSS Feed Write us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to our mailing list through the Hidden Forces Website Producer & Host: Demetri Kofinas Editor & Engineer: Stylianos Nicolaou Subscribe & Support the Podcast at https://patreon.com/hiddenforces Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @hiddenforcespod Follow Demetri on Twitter at @Kofinas Episode Recorded on 07/20/2021