Latest Interviews

Bryan Caplan - Nurturing Orphaned Ideas, Education, and UBI

Bryan Caplan

Economics expert Robert Shimer critiques the unschooling model's impact on numeracy, rejects Universal Basic Income for its fiscal unsustainability, and argues that restrictive housing regulations are a primary driver of global poverty. His upcoming projects, including the book *Poverty: Who to Blame* and the graphic novel *Build Baby Build*, aim to rehabilitate distinctions regarding personal responsibility and demonstrate how zoning laws impoverish the United States by 10-20%. Furthermore, the speaker challenges the moral foundations of nationalism and immigration bans, suggesting that government policies often hold capable individuals in poverty rather than inherent incapability being the cause.

Covid-19: Britain's chief of the defence staff talks about the military challenges

General Sir Nick Carter, Anne McElvoy

General Sir Nick Carter characterizes the UK's military mobilization for the pandemic as his career's greatest logistical challenge while directing the 77 Brigade to identify domestic misinformation without engaging in propaganda or managing specific topics like 5G claims. He rejects conspiracy theories regarding the virus's origin, asserts that US commitment to NATO remains unwavered despite political shifts, and warns that authoritarian actors continue exploiting the crisis to target pharmaceutical intellectual property and deepen societal divides. Despite these geopolitical tensions, Carter forecasts a united Western front for vaccine distribution and notes that Russian military activity, including frequent aircraft intercepts, continues at normal levels alongside the global health emergency.

How covid-19 could change the financial world order

Mathieu Favas

The pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in US financial hegemony, prompting China to leverage its robust banking assets and pandemic relief efforts to expand global influence. Beijing is actively bypassing US-dominated payment networks by deploying mobile wallet ecosystems that processed $49 trillion annually while securing contracts for yuan-denominated trade. Although deep-seated distrust regarding China's transparency persists, the crisis has accelerated a trajectory toward a potentially fragmented global financial system where American and Chinese spheres increasingly compete.

Covid-19: how it will change the world

Edward Carr, Callum Williams

In an analysis of the pandemic's intersection with geopolitical shifts, The Economist's Edward Carr and Callum Williams argue that the crisis accelerates the decline of the post-WWII order by reinforcing de-globalization and reducing US willingness to lead. The discussion highlights how state power is expanding through unprecedented interventions to prevent bankruptcies and address healthcare vulnerabilities, while simultaneously threatening scientific innovation and the green energy transition due to economic uncertainty. Furthermore, the speakers note that while supply chains face diversification pressures and oil-dependent nations confront a potential structural collapse, emerging market adaptations and persistent unemployment underscore a complex economic landscape where recovery to pre-2020 levels remains unlikely.

Telehealth’s Rapid Rise

Jim Sinclair, Liz

Telehealth has rapidly expanded from primary care to encompass mental health, chronic disease management, and biopharma engagement through employer benefits, direct-to-consumer models, and integrated hospital systems. Regulatory shifts during the pandemic, including Medicare reimbursement parity and cross-state licensing, removed historical barriers while maintaining HIPAA compliance to address privacy concerns. This evolution drives long-term cost reductions by prioritizing home-based care and improving access for underserved populations, although certain specialties like anesthesiology remain physically constrained to in-person interactions.

Covid-19: what the world has learned during lockdown

Ed Carr, Callum Williams, Edward Carr

A comprehensive review of the pandemic examines uncertain long-term immunity, the divergent economic impacts of lockdowns on wealthy versus emerging markets, and the tension between national self-interest and global vaccine distribution. Epidemiological case studies from Sweden, India, and various Asian nations highlight the varying effectiveness of voluntary versus enforced social distancing amidst constraints like school safety and informal labor. The discussion concludes by urging institutional reforms for the World Health Organization and mandatory domestic production audits to ensure nations can better withstand future viral threats.

Paul Farmer CBE, CEO of Mind

Paul Farmer, Richard Nodder

Experts and organizations including Mind, Samaritans, and Goldman Sachs are addressing a pandemic-induced surge in mental health crises by promoting protective strategies such as strict routine maintenance, digital detoxification, and structured remote work environments. Historical precedents from the SARS outbreak and 2008 economic crash inform current protocols for vulnerable demographics, including frontline workers facing PTSD risks and students navigating educational uncertainty. Ultimately, the initiative aims to leverage these challenges to normalize mental health care as a societal priority and institutionalize resilience-building practices for the next decade.

Adm. Timothy J. Keating, USN (Ret.) and Brig. Gen. Robert S. Spalding III, USAF (Ret.)

Timothy J. Keating, Robert S. Spalding III, Admiral Timothy Keating, Brigadier General Robert S. Spalding III, Norman Nye, Tim Keating, Rob Spalding

Hosted by Goldman Sachs's Norman Nye on April 15, 2020, Admiral Timothy Keating and Brigadier General Rob Spalding assessed how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated U.S.-China geopolitical rivalry, particularly regarding Taiwan, supply chain decoupling, and 5G surveillance infrastructure. The experts concluded that the crisis would permanently shift global alignment toward a "democratic bloc" prioritizing national security over economic integration, forcing a reshoring of critical industries and tighter restrictions on Chinese technology. They further warned that economic strains could provoke China to employ gray zone tactics while the United States pivots toward strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific, India, and Latin America.

How to treat covid-19

In response to the 2020 SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, scientists are repurposing existing antivirals like Remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine to target the viral replicase system while the World Health Organization launches a global megatrial to evaluate their efficacy. Although President Donald Trump championed hydroxychloroquine as an immediate solution, rigorous clinical data remains limited compared to laboratory findings, prompting the trial to seek evidence of marginal therapeutic benefits. This strategy aims to rapidly reduce hospital stays and alleviate health system strain while the definitive long-term vaccine solution continues to develop over the estimated 1.5 to 2 years.

India’s Response to the Economic Downturn

Prachi Mishra, Liz

Goldman Sachs revised India's FY21 growth forecast to 1.6% after projecting a 220 basis point contraction from the nationwide lockdown and 150 basis points from global contagion, marking a deeper downturn than historical recessions but milder than the 1979 decline. The outlook anticipates a severe Q1 and Q2 recession followed by a H2 recovery dependent on infection control, expanded fiscal stimulus beyond the initial 0.8% GDP package, and continued monetary easing by the Reserve Bank of India. While Foreign Institutional Investors have withdrawn over $17 billion, the Indian Rupee remains relatively resilient due to a benign current account deficit and substantial foreign exchange reserves, though short-term depreciation is expected before stabilizing at approximately 72 INR/USD within a year.

Covid-19: more questions about coronavirus, answered

Ed Carr, Alok Jha, Edward Carr

Policymakers and economic analysts are addressing the severe trade-off between strict disease containment and deepening economic contraction, with US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin warning that unemployment could reach 20% without intervention. The event evaluates the likely L-shaped recession trajectory while examining how global aid, healthcare disparities, and the virus's seasonal mutation patterns will shape long-term recovery. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes the necessity of international cooperation to restore scientific trust and accelerate vaccine development within an 18-to-24-month window despite rising nationalistic trends.

How Gaming is Changing the Media Landscape

John Riccitiello, Andrew Chen

This event analyzes the transformative growth of the global games industry, which now surpasses traditional media in revenue and audience size by leveraging real-time 3D rendering and a shift toward "Games as a Service" business models. It details how major technology firms like Unity and Tencent are driving vertical integration in esports and expanding into non-gaming sectors such as automotive and architecture through photorealistic digital twins. The discussion further addresses critical technical challenges in cloud gaming latency and forecasts a future where AI, 5G, and cross-platform ecosystems create persistent virtual economies accessible to billions of users worldwide.

Rahm Emanuel, Former Chicago Mayor and Author of "The Nation City"

Rahm Emanuel, Jake Seward

Political leader Rahm Emanuel argues that global power has permanently shifted from dysfunctional national institutions to local governments, where 75% public confidence drives mayors to assume federal responsibilities in climate action, education, and economic growth. Citing Chicago's transformation of its school system and energy grid, Emanuel demonstrates how local leadership can achieve measurable outcomes, such as raising high school graduation rates from 56% to nearly 80%, while overcoming federal gridlock. He asserts that this structural realignment is irreversible and calls for a political strategy focused on execution and enabling policy rather than broad, unfulfillable campaign promises.

YC SUS: Eric Migicovsky & Dalton Caldwell discuss pivoting & pitching

Eric Migicovsky, Dalton Caldwell, Eric Majerjkowski, Rick Viscomi

This discussion outlines critical strategies for startup founders, emphasizing that pivots should be driven by a complete lack of traction and validated through concrete customer payments rather than theoretical debates. It further details how to effectively apply to Y Combinator by prioritizing clarity, avoid common pitfalls like over-relying on patents, and ensure sustainable unit economics by focusing on retention and revenue. Ultimately, the guidance stresses that success relies on building genuine product-market fit and maintaining financial flexibility to adapt quickly to external shocks.

Election 2020: What could Super Tuesday mean for the future of the Democratic Party?

John Prideaux, Jon Priddow, Charlotte Howard, Jon Fassman

Bernie Sanders' insurgent campaign has capitalized on the collapse of traditional Democratic establishment structures to challenge a fragmented moderate field, effectively reversing the 2008 consensus that party endorsement guarantees delegate success. Despite Joe Biden's decisive South Carolina victory creating a potential two-horse race, a dominant performance by Sanders on Super Tuesday—particularly in California and Texas—could secure an uncatchable delegate lead that forces the party toward a contested convention in Milwaukee. While some donors remain ideologically opposed to the progressive nominee, the shared imperative to defeat Donald Trump is increasingly driving financial support toward Sanders despite the absence of a unified moderate alternative.