Hidden Forces

Cybersecurity expert Dmitri Alperovitch discusses the new Cold War with China, focusing on the strategic significance of Taiwan and the potential consequences of a Chinese takeover. The conversation explores historical parallels between Cold Wars I and II, emphasizing the importance of deterrence and national unity in navigating global geopolitics.

Former Managing Director at Salomon Brothers and co-founding partner of Long-Term Capital Management, Victor Haghani, discusses wealth management, investment philosophy, risk preferences, portfolio construction, tax-loss harvesting, and the impact of behavioral biases on investment decisions in a thought-provoking episode.

Economist Lacy Hunt discusses America's national savings and debt crisis, the role of the US Treasury post-pandemic, declining net national savings rate, and the impact of the Fed's interest rate hikes on the economy. They explore the concept of neutral interest rates, fiscal deficits' effects on growth, importance of national investments, and government spending dynamics. Dr. Hunt analyzes inflation trends, CPI components, challenges in measuring housing values for accurate inflation prediction, and the complexities of interest rates, savings rates, and economic growth.

Exploring the Chinese economic miracle with a focus on history, financial crises, Xi Jinping's leadership, and COVID-19 impact. Discussion on China's liberalization, post-Tiananmen growth, 2008 financial crisis, and dark turn under Xi. Insights on surveillance systems, cultural nuances, rapid urbanization challenges, and future trajectory of China in a changing global landscape.

The podcast discusses the surge in gold and bitcoin prices hinting at looming money printing. The CEO highlights indicators for economic growth and inflation, forecasting asset performance and interest rates. They delve into global liquidity signals, yield curve dynamics, and the impact of quantitative easing on interest rates and economic policies.

Exploring the US-China strategic competition in semiconductors, Biden admin's goals, repercussions of export controls, Chips Act impact, and the need to support America's domestic semiconductor industry.

Exploring the cultural impact of AI rise through myths and storytelling, the risks of humanity's interaction with advanced technology, the quest for animacy and magical powers that may jeopardize us, and the potential spiritual crisis amid AI advancements and societal detachment from reality.

Investigative journalist Byron Tau uncovers the hidden alliance between tech companies and the government, building an American surveillance state post-9/11. Data from devices like smartphones is captured and sold to the government, creating a dystopian reality. The implications for democracy, freedom, and privacy are discussed, shedding light on the secretive collaboration between government agencies and private entities.

Charles Duhigg discusses how to become a supercommunicator by improving listening skills, fostering authentic connections, and embracing conflict in conversations. Topics include nonverbal communication in astronaut selection, the evolution of communication mediums, and the transformative impact of researching and writing on communication style.

Daniel Peris, Senior Portfolio Manager at Federated Investors and author of four books on investing, discusses the historical context of the stock market, the shift from a cash-based system to one driven by share price movements, the importance of dividends, and the changing investment landscape and economic opportunities. They also explore the benefits of being a dividend investor, the return of cash in the stock market, and the paradigm shift in the relationship of companies in Silicon Valley with the decline of dividends and rise of share buybacks.