Europe's Fate, Ukraine & Russia, and the Post-American Era

In today’s episode, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg respond to pressing questions on US inflation, the possibility of the US becoming a petro-state, global trade dynamics in the context of geopolitical shifts, the potential impacts of de-dollarization, and the sustainability of defense strategies. They also cover the impact of recent wars, and discuss India and Japan. Thanks to all the listeners who continue to send in their questions! 🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj -- Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episodes are on Reddit, Twilio, Klaviyo and Rubrik. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0epyYBAxLeF0PsNagdDJAJ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/company-breakdowns/id1743119197 -- SPONSORS: BEEHIIV 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. 🐝 https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months _ SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co _ LINKS: Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/ -- TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (01:45) Exploring Biden's influence on inflation and policy suggestions (05:21) Inflation's impact on national debt (09:34) Role of industrial policy in inflation dynamics (15:47) Is the U.S. Becoming a Petro State? (17:28) Sponsor: Beehiiv (18:39) Discussing federal reserve's balance sheet and monetary policy (23:49) Student loan forgiveness and tariffs (25:38) WTO's role in trade disputes (28:23) Rethinking global trade rules (31:28) Trade agreements and military alliances (32:35) China and Russia: Trade relations and aggressiveness (33:28) China’s capital inflow tax (40:13) India's political landscape and Modi's impact (50:10) Reassessing U.S. military interventions: Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq (53:44) Role of conventional forces in preventing nuclear war (56:46) Japan's currency intervention (57:47) Invitation to Lithuania (58:10) Wrap

22 Mai 202459min

In this week’s episode, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg explore various aspects of Joe Biden’s presidency to evaluate a case for reelecting Biden, focusing on economic policy shifts, spending concerns, inflation, and industrial policy. They also emphasize the historical and current political dynamics between the U.S. and China, exploring tariffs, trade, oil production, and technology, with a nuanced view of protectionism’s role in national security and economic growth. 🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj -- Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episodes are on Reddit, Klaviyo and Rubrik - which just IPO’d. -- SPONSORS: BEEHIIV 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. 🐝 https://Beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months _ SEND US YOUR Q’s FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co _ LINKS: Noahpinion: The Positive Case for Joe Biden https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/the-positive-case-for-joe-biden Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/ -- TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (00:19) Positive case for Joe Biden (05:34) Biden’s economic policies and achievements (10:32) Discussing inflation during Biden’s administration (15:00) Sponsor: Beehiiv (16:10) Analyzing the CHIPS Act and Inflation Reduction Act (20:16) Impact of tariffs and permitting challenges (26:16) Tariff Debate: Impact on EVs and global manufacturing (36:51) Alternatives policies and strategies beyond tariffs (39:26) Evolution of America’s approach to China: Obama, Trump, and Biden (46:44) Wrap

15 Mai 202449min

This week on Econ 102, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discuss the pros and cons of Biden's tax plan based on Noah's recent essay. They also answered listener questions on the German economy's success, Japan's government debt management, and strategies for staying well-informed on economic issues. Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episodes are on Reddit, Klaviyo and Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0epyYBAxLeF0PsNagdDJAJ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/company-breakdowns/id1743119197 -- SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | HARMONIC 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. 🐝 https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months 🧲 Learn why Craft, Bedrock, NEA and 100s more trust Harmonic’s data to source deals. Harmonic is the most complete startup database, finding new companies as soon as they incorporate and tracking them through IPO. Head to https://bit.ly/harmonicturpentine (and make sure to mention Turpentine VC during your demo.) _ SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co _ LINKS: Noahpinion: Biden is Right https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/biden-is-right-that-we-need-to-raise Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/ -- TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (00:51) Biden's Tax Plan: A Critical Analysis (10:45) Argument for and Against Tax Increases (15:41) Sponsor: Beehiiv (16:57) Exploring Capital Gains and Inheritance Taxes (23:07) Impact of Inherited Wealth and Productivity (28:17) Potential Impact of Taxing Unrealized Gains (30:02) Sponsor: Harmonic (31:08) Progressive Wage Subsidies vs. UBI (33:12) Political Activism: Then and Now (43:21) Germany's Success in Manufacturing (45:35) Japan's Government Debt and Deflation (47:45) Discrepancy between S&P 500 Growth Rate and GDP Growth Rate (50:42) Effects of Algorithmic Pricing on Competition (53:45) Noah's News Consumption (56:36) Wrap

10 Mai 202457min

In today's episode of Econ 102, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg tackle more listener questions: the Fed's impact on inflation and the economy, theories behind interest rates' unexpected effects, and 'greedflation'. The discussion also extends to shifts in Japan's economic policies amid currency valuation concerns, housing price disparities between the US and Canada, gentrification, balanced budget amendments, and the geopolitical dynamics between Saudi Arabia and Iran, finishing with thoughts on TikTok. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions. Keep 'em coming: Econ102@turpentine.co -- SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | WARP | HARMONIC 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. 🐝 https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months Hundreds of startups already trust Warp to handle their payroll and compliance needs - you can go from zero to payroll live in just two days. Don't let payroll and compliance hold your startup back – visit https://joinwarp.com/peel to get started and receive a $1000 gift card when you first run payroll. 🧲 Learn why Craft, Bedrock, NEA and 100s more trust Harmonic’s data to source deals. Harmonic is the most complete startup database, finding new companies as soon as they incorporate and tracking them through IPO. Head to https://bit.ly/harmonicturpentine (and make sure to mention Turpentine VC during your demo.) _ Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more, Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0epyYBAxLeF0PsNagdDJAJ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/company-breakdowns/id1743119197 _ SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co _ LINKS: Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/ _ TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (00:53) What if the dollar was no longer the world’s reserve currency? (04:50) Fair taxation (08:20) Level of redistribution in the US (10:30) Lowering inequality by increasing economic growth (18:26) Sponsor: Beehiiv | Harmonic (20:26) Education reform (30:07) Fixing rising costs in healthcare (34:12) Limitations of UBI (39:09) Massive gap between US and China’s manufacturing capacity (46:25) US potential gateway to Africa (54:28) Impact of foreign aid (59:20) Revitalizing small US cities (01:04:58) Wrap

1 Mai 202446min

In today's episode, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg answer listeners' questions in rapid fire format, over topics such as the global reserve currency, fair taxation, wealth redistribution, education reform, healthcare, US manufacturing, how to revitalize cities, and more. Thanks to all our listeners who continue to write in with big meaty questions! 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 _ SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | HARMONIC 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 “MOZ” for 20% off your first three months. 🧲 Learn why Craft, Bedrock, NEA and 100s more trust Harmonic’s data to source deals. Harmonic is the most complete startup database, finding new companies as soon as they incorporate and tracking them through IPO. Head to https://bit.ly/harmonicturpentine and make sure to mention Turpentine VC during your demo. _ SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co _ Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more, Spotify Apple _ LINKS: Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/ _ X / TWITTER: @noahpinion (Noah) @eriktorenberg (Erik) @TurpentineMedia (Turpentine) _ TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (00:53) What if the dollar was no longer the world’s reserve currency? (04:50) Fair taxation (08:20) Level of redistribution in the US (10:30) Lowering inequality by increasing economic growth (18:26) Sponsor: Beehiiv | Harmonic (20:26) Education reform (30:07) Fixing rising costs in healthcare (34:12) Limitations of UBI (39:09) Massive gap between US and China’s manufacturing capacity (46:25) US potential gateway to Africa (54:28) Impact of foreign aid (59:20) Revitalizing small US cities (01:04:58) Wrap

24 Apr 20241h 6min

In this week’s episode, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg tackle more listeners' questions focused on conflicts and war. They cover various defense strategies, emphasizing the urgency of revitalizing the U.S. defense industrial base to prepare for potential conflicts. They discuss the differences between authoritarian and democratic powers, highlighting the significant risk of World War III and the importance of alliance building, particularly with countries like Japan, India, and European nations to counterbalance China's growing influence and the new ‘Axis’. Happy birthday Noah! 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. _ SPONSOR: HARMONIC 🧲 Learn why Craft, Bedrock, NEA and 100s more trust Harmonic’s data to source deals. Harmonic is the most complete startup database, finding new companies as soon as they incorporate and tracking them through IPO. Head to https://bit.ly/harmonicturpentine and make sure to mention Turpentine VC during your demo. _ SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co _ Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more, Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0epyYBAxLeF0PsNagdDJAJ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/company-breakdowns/id1743119197 _ LINKS: Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/ WW3? : https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/americans-are-still-not-worried-enough _ X / TWITTER: @noahpinion (Noah) @eriktorenberg (Erik) @TurpentineMedia (Turpentine) _ TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Episode Preview (01:57) The defense industrial base (08:17) Precedents of wars leading to World War II and the Cold War (14:57) Contrast of Xi Jinping and Putin (21:46) Sponsor: Turpentine (22:33) China's production advantage (27:54) Evaluating the new axis of power (33:51) Complexities of manufacturing and warfare (41:02) Impact of war on economies (44:13) Exploring the Israel-Palestine conflict (49:41) Potential for peace in the Middle East (55:28) Wrap

17 Apr 202459min

In this week’s episode, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg dive into various econ topics and tackle listener questions! They cover: government spending and the national debt, discussion on taxation, wealth taxes and economic outcome of the next U.S. election, as well as differences in respect and status in the United States and Japan, and lessons learned from deficit spending. 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. _ SPONSOR: HARMONIC 🧲 Learn why Craft, Bedrock, NEA and 100s more trust Harmonic’s data to source deals. Harmonic is the most complete startup database, finding new companies as soon as they incorporate and tracking them through IPO. Head to https://bit.ly/harmonicturpentine and make sure to mention Turpentine VC during your demo. _ SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co _ Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more, Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0epyYBAxLeF0PsNagdDJAJ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/company-breakdowns/id1743119197 _ Links: Noah Smith's Noahpinion https://www.noahpinion.blog _  X / TWITTER: @noahpinion (Noah) @eriktorenberg (Erik) @TurpentineMedia (Turpentine) _ Timestamps: (00:00) Episode Preview (01:02) Noah’s Japan trip (02:33) Why is the U.S. doing so much deficit spending? (08:04) Post-COVID economic response (14:52) Levers of dealing with the National debt (21:27) 2024 Election Speculations: Economic outcomes of Trump vs. Biden (25:26) Pros and cons of a Wealth tax (30:35) Sponsor: Turpentine (32:34) Impact of Funding the IRS and repealing Trump's tax cuts (33:01) Reducing government spending (41:11) Addressing economic inequality in the U.S. (51:26) Wrap

10 Apr 202452min

This episode is a continuation of analyzing the economies around the world, with Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg focusing on the Middle East, Africa, South America, and North America. They discuss the economic challenges and solutions in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, as well as Latin America’s drug problem and Canada’s economic stagnation. 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. _ SPONSOR: HARMONIC 🧲 Learn why Craft, Bedrock, NEA and 100s more trust Harmonic’s data to source deals. Harmonic is the most complete startup database, finding new companies as soon as they incorporate and tracking them through IPO. Head to https://bit.ly/harmonicturpentine and make sure to mention Turpentine VC during your demo. _ SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co _ Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more, Spotify Apple _ Links: Noah Smith's Noahpinion https://www.noahpinion.blog _  X / TWITTER: @noahpinion (Noah) @eriktorenberg (Erik) @TurpentineMedia (Turpentine) _ TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (00:32) Egypt's economic challenges (05:25) How rich is Saudi Arabia (13:57) Sponsor: Turpentine (15:13) Africa’s population growth and demographic dynamics (32:49) Africa’s economic potential (38:58) Mexico's manufacturing and security woes (43:48) Brazil's potential in South American manufacturing (48:01) Latin America's fight against inequality (55:12) Dominican Republic's economic success (01:00:51) Canada's economic stagnation (01:05:33) Wrap

2 Apr 20241h 8min