"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg By cover art

"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg

By: Erik Torenberg
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  • Summary

  • Upstream is where host Erik Torenberg goes deeper with the world's most interesting thinkers to map the constellation of ideas that matter across tech, culture, and politics. On this season of Upstream, you'll hear from Marc Andreessen, David Sacks, Balaji Srinivasan, Sam Harris, Joe Lonsdale, Katherine Boyle, and more. Upstream is part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn more: turpentine.co
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Episodes
  • E57: Noah Smith Analyzes Economies: USA, China, Japan, Russia, India, Korea, & More

    E57: Noah Smith Analyzes Economies: USA, China, Japan, Russia, India, Korea, & More
    May 3 2024
    This week on Upstream, we're releasing an episode from Erik's podcast with Noah Smith, Econ 102. Noah breaks down the economies of the USA, China, Japan, Russia, India, Korea, and more. Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist. For more like this, watch part 2 on Econ 102: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/52nuQvRmuTT7S6ilJoXDYr?si=bf6722824bd64bcf Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/analyzing-economies-england-france-germany-poland-turkey/id1696419056?i=1000650616668 -- 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 | SQUAD 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. 🐝 Head to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months. 💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist. -- 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 -- TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (01:33) U.S. Economy: Trends and Concerns (08:31) Transition to China Economy: Massive Property Bust (15:58) Sponsor: beehiiv | Squad (22:06) Segue to Japan Economy: Key Hub of the Electronics Manufacturing (30:41) Korea Economic Struggles (33:35) South Korea's Technological Capabilities and International Relations (34:44) Exploring Taiwan's Economy and Challenges (36:52) Indonesia's Manufacturing Shift (38:25) Vietnam's Economic Strategy and Development Needs (41:01) India's Poverty Reduction and Infrastructure Investments (44:56) Pakistan Economic Mismanagement (49:08) Philippines: Underrated Investment Destination (50:03) Transition to Australia: The Progressive Utopia (52:32) Russia Economy at War (60:29) Wrap -- X / TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Noahpinion (Noah) https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik) https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod (Upstream) https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine) -- For guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact Sam@turpentine.co
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • E56: Brian Chau on Spreading Informed AI Optimism

    E56: Brian Chau on Spreading Informed AI Optimism
    Apr 26 2024
    This week on Upstream, Nathan Labenz of The Cognitive Revolution podcast and Brian Chau, a machine learning engineer who recently founded the Alliance for the Future, talk about Brian's efforts in Washington, D.C. to influence AI policy based on informed AI optimism. After their conversation, Nathan and Erik chat about the AI landscape. Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist. -- 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 | SQUAD 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. 🐝 Head to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months. 💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist. -- 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 -- Timestamps (00:00) Intro (00:42) Unpacking AI Optimism and Policy Perspectives (01:22) Exploring the Breadth of AI and Its Economic Implications (05:23) Debunking AI Doomsday Predictions (14:56) Sponsors: BeeHiiv | Squad (25:53) Navigating the Near-Term AI Landscape and Government Modernization (41:30) Exploring AI Regulation and Executive Orders (43:55) The Impact of AI on Startups and Economic Viability (45:36) AI Development and Regulatory Challenges (48:40) The Debate on AI Accountability and Regulation (59:02) Open Sourcing AI Models: Risks and Regulations (1:07:06) The Future of AI: Ethical, Social, and Regulatory Considerations (1:14:41) Reflections on AI Safety and the Path Forward -- Alliance for the Future: https://www.affuture.org/ Brian's article on research progress in AI: https://www.affuture.org/research/3-diminishing/ -- X / TWITTER: https://twitter.com/psychosort (Brian) https://twitter.com/labenz (Nathan) https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik) https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod (Upstream) https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine) -- For guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact Sam@turpentine.co
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • E55: Why China's Universities Will Become Harvard

    E55: Why China's Universities Will Become Harvard
    Apr 19 2024
    This week on Upstream, we’re releasing an episode from Turpentine’s show Live Players with Samo Burja. Erik and Samo discuss China’s universities and the future of China’s elites. Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist. -- 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 | SQUAD 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. 💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist. -- 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 -- X / TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SamoBurja (Samo) https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg (Erik) https://twitter.com/Upstream__Pod (Upstream) https://twitter.com/TurpentineMedia (Turpentine) -- TIMESTAMPS: (00:00:00) - Episode Preview (00:00:57) - Universities as an example of US-China parallel evolution (00:02:53) - Academia during The Cultural Revolution (00:04:00) - The elite Chinese universities (00:06:00) - Signaling theory of education (00:06:30) - What the increase in educated leaders means for China’s ruling class (00:07:52) - China as America’s mirror (00:08:30) - China’s “woke” (00:11:29) - How Xi wants China to not fail in the same way the Soviets did (00:12:50) - Crackdown on university students (00:14:46) - Sponsor: Squad | Turpentine (00:15:00) - Rise of student activism in the US (00:19:05) - The translation of regional/ethnic inequalities into ideological ones (00:22:30) - The political ideological paradox generates an opportunity to organize young people (00:24:30) - Role of gender in divergent politics and the East Asian “woke” (00:27:12) - Chinese feminism (00:34:58) - The formation of elites in US and China (00:36:40) - Materialist focused education in China vs legal focused education in US (00:39:47) - Printing university degrees is like printing money by devaluing degrees (00:40:19) - Fight over Harvard Extension School (00:42:20) - Will American universities have as much power in the next 10 years as they do now? (00:46:05) - What positive and negative changes will China see in the near future? (00:47:00) - Silicon Valley in China (00:49:09) - The shift in leadership from businessmen to academia in China For guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact Sam@turpentine.co
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    54 mins
Politics & Government
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