In the video titled “Port Alpha: The US Navy’s Astonishing Next-Gen Shipyard,” the discussion centers around Port Alpha, an ambitious project spearheaded by the defense company Seronic Technologies, aimed at revolutionizing the United States Navy’s shipbuilding capabilities. The video outlines how serious deficiencies within the Navy, including escalating shipbuilding delays, have spurred the initiative to […]

The video “Is RL + LLMs enough for AGI?” features discussions by Sholto Douglas and Trenton Bricken, who delve into the latest developments in AI research concerning reinforcement learning (RL) and large language models (LLMs). They explore how RL has begun to demonstrate significant advancements in scaling AI capabilities, allowing models to achieve expert-level performance […]

He discusses the transformative capabilities of AI, emphasizing its efficiency in processing information and generating insights, while also contemplating its implications for future generations and the education system. He addresses the complexities of AI in robotics and programming within corporate settings, highlighting the need for a supportive culture for innovation. Additionally, Brin showcases advancements in […]

Budget deficits of appx 8% of GDP a year are a problem for Friedberg. He suggests pausing all new spending and reducing all spending to pre covid levels.

WTF Happened In 1971?” focuses on the pivotal economic changes following President Nixon’s suspension of the dollar’s convertibility into gold, effectively ending the gold standard and marking a significant moment in modern economic history. This shift has been linked to rising inequality, soaring debt levels, and the growing influence of the financial industry, contrasting sharply with the […]

The Farm Crisis examines the tragic circumstances faced by farmers for most of the 1980s, when thousands were forced into bankruptcy, land values dropped by one-third nationally, and sky-high interest rates turned successes into failures seemingly overnight. Gov. Terry Branstad, Sen. Charles Grassley, Sen. Tom Harkin, former Rep. Jim Leach, the late Mark Pearson, former […]

Power, Liberty, and Markets in Political Thought and Outcomes Throughout history, political and economic debates have revolved around the distribution of power and money. These debates can be organized along a philosophical spectrum ranging from Machiavelli and Tocqueville (0), who emphasize virtue, realism, and institutional control, to Locke and Adam Smith (100), who champion individual […]

KKR co-founder Henry Kravis said. They’re looking for certainty about where tariff policy is going. Also KKR trails public markets returns?!

Saudi Arabia’s new approach to oil production amidst ongoing challenges within OPEC indicating a willingness to accept lower oil prices, which has stirred market concerns, particularly as WTI prices fall to just above $58 per barrel. He provides historical context on OPEC’s founding objectives of stabilizing oil prices and ensuring fair returns, while highlighting the […]

Matt is joined by two experts from Zonda (a leading housing data and insights company), Matt & Todd, to discuss how global tariffs are expected to raise material costs by up to 9%, even for companies that don’t directly import goods. The conversation covers how these pressures are reshuffling market share among building product brands, […]

  Nick Leeson, the infamous trader whose 1.4B loss led to the collapse of Barings Bank 30 years ago. Leeson reflects on his overwhelming feelings of embarrassment and shame stemming from his role in the bank’s downfall, emphasizing that despite a successful start to his banking career, he ultimately failed to achieve what he wanted. […]

In 2012, HSBC Holdings (HSBC), one of the world’s largest global banks, was hit with a $1.9 billion fine for, most notably, serving as a conduit for Mexican drug cartels. The penalty, which was coupled with $665 million in civil penalties, exposed severe problems with the bank’s compliance and anti-money laundering (AML) controls. It ranks […]

Speech starts at 10:45 Jerome H. Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve, addresses the Economic Club of Chicago, discussing the current economic outlook and the Fed’s dual mandate of maximizing employment and ensuring price stability. Powell outlines the resilience of the U.S. economy despite heightened uncertainties, acknowledging challenges arising from trade policy changes, inflation concerns linked […]

“I Worked At Palantir: The Tech Company Reshaping Reality” delves into the controversial role of Palantir Technologies in government surveillance and military operations, highlighting its ambition to dominate defense contracting while grappling with ethical implications. The host reflects on Palantir’s evolution since its inception in the post-9/11 era, connecting it to the normalization of government surveillance and […]

“How Money Has Permanently Changed College Basketball” delves into the profound effects of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) on the sport, noting a shift in recruitment practices as teams leverage collective funds to financially incentivize players, leading to concerns about competition dynamics and the integrity of the game. Coaches are retiring due to the increasing pressures from […]

tl;dr: great video on theories why humans make “bad” choices over and over again.

Sal Mercogliano — a maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner — discusses US Tariffs with China and other countries; US Walks Out of IMO Climate Meetings; US, Panama, and CK Hutchinson; US Trade Representatives and Port Fees; and Red Sea.

Larry Summers critiques the current tariff strategies, comparing them to dangerous work with a sledgehammer on a sensitive global economic machine. He highlights that various tariffs remain in place, including significant structural ones, and discusses the potential economic damage estimated by market reactions, suggesting a loss of around $30 trillion. Summers warns that these tariffs […]

VC and Conservative/libertarian benefactor Peter Thiel on tariffs.