Follow on Twitter @upstream__pod

Recent Videos

April 26, 2024

Brian Chau on Spreading Informed AI Optimism

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 …

Video page
April 19, 2024

Why China's Universities Will Become Harvard with Samo Burja

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 …

Video page
April 12, 2024

Naval Ravikant and Balaji Srinivasan on Why History Points to Crypto

This episode was initially recorded before a live audience in 2018. Erik talks with Naval Ravikant and Balaji Srinivasan about the history of money and centralization and why crypto has the potential to fulfill the promise of the internet. Access …

Video page
April 5, 2024

Nathan Labenz and Noah Smith on What AI Actually Means for the Economy

This week on Upstream, Erik is joined by Nathan Labenz and Noah Smith for a deep dive on how AI will impact job markets, the social contract, and the role of the government. Access global engineering without the headache and …

Video page
March 29, 2024

David Friedman on Anarcho-Capitalism, Utilitarianism, and Inequality

This week on Upstream, Erik is joined by David Friedman for a deep dive on anarcho-capitalism, utilitarianism, and more. To get Brave: Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “MoZ” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign. -- …

Video page
March 22, 2024

How We Build More Housing with Brad Hargreaves & Noah Smith

In this special roundtable episode, Erik Torenberg is joined by Brad Hargreaves (the founder of Common, co-founder of General Assembly, and writer of Thesis Driven) and Noah Smith (podcast host, economist and writer of Noahpinion). They discuss the future of …

Video page
March 15, 2024

Alex Blania on Worldcoin, AGI, and Future Predictions

This week on Upstream, Erik is joined by Alex Blania, who, with Sam Altman, co-founded Tools for Humanity, the organization behind Worldcoin. Erik and Alex go deep on Worldcoin, AGI, and other future tech. To get Brave: Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ …

Video page
March 8, 2024

The Legacy of Effective Altruism

This week on Upstream, Erik is joined by Igor Kurganov, poker player and founder of Raising for Effective Giving. They discuss similarities between poker and Effective Altruism, the successes and failures of EA, and where EA should go next. To …

Video page
March 1, 2024

Liron Shapira on Why We Need to Pause AI

This week on Upstream, Erik is joined by Liron Shapira to discuss the case against further AI development, why Effective Altruism doesn’t deserve its reputation, and what is misunderstood about nuclear weapons. Upstream is sponsored by Brave: Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ …

Video page
Feb. 23, 2024

Upstream with Rob Henderson

This week on Upstream, Erik is joined by Rob Henderson, psychologist and author of the newly released Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class. They discuss dating, cancel culture, luxury beliefs, and more. Upstream is sponsored by …

Video page