Follow on Twitter @upstream__pod

Recent Videos

Feb. 8, 2025

Stuck Academia, US vs China, and Why Startups Work

Today, we're re-releasing an episode from 2023 where Erik Torenberg sits down with physicist and startup founder Steve Hsu on topics including the ideological shift in academia, the impact of AI on labor, China's technological advancements and geopolitical position, and …

Video page
Feb. 6, 2025

New Tariff Implications, DeepSeek and Open Source Analysis, and Meta’…

Erik Torenberg and Byrne Hobart discuss the implications of recent tariffs, the impact of AI advancements like DeepSeek, Meta's investments in VR and AI, stock market dynamics, and differing perspectives on open-source AI models. — 📰Be notified early when Turpentine's …

Video page
Feb. 2, 2025

Tyler Cowen on Legacy, Twitter + Harvard, and Fertility Decline

Tyler Cowen discusses his book on the greatest economists of all time, evaluates the contributions of macroeconomics, and touches on topics such as stagnation, AI, fertility, and the future of academia and societal trends. — 📰 Be notified early when …

Video page
Jan. 31, 2025

Reflections on Yarvin, Why the Right is Stuck, and Startups as Dictat…

In this episode, Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss Curtis Yarvin's recent New York Times interview. They explored his ideas, especially the comparison between corporate market dynamics and government functionality, and the need for live players in leadership to prevent …

Video page
Jan. 25, 2025

Election Update, Tech’s Political Shift, and America’s Stuck GDP | Th…

This week on Upstream, we’re sharing Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg’s discussion of the 2025 post-election landscape centered on Trump's victory, examining his evolved approach and tech industry support, while exploring interconnected policy challenges around immigration, …

Video page
Jan. 23, 2025

Samo Burja & Auren Hoffman on the Decline of Fertility Rates and Inst…

Samo Burja and Auren Hoffman discuss various topics including the Great Founder Theory, the decline of trust in elites, falling fertility rates, and the importance of exceptional individuals in shaping history and future societal structures. — 📰 Be notified early …

Video page
Jan. 18, 2025

Crypto Debanking: What Really Happened | Patrick McKenzie

Today on Upstream, we’re releasing an interview between Erik Torenberg and Patrick McKenzie. Patrick discusses Operation Chokepoint, the origins of debanking, and how it affects the crypto industry, offering detailed insights into the political motivations, regulatory complexities, and practical ramifications …

Video page
Jan. 16, 2025

Dating & Relationships Deep Dive w/ Noah Smith and Katherine Dee (Def…

This week on Upstream, we’re releasing an episode of Econ102. Erik Torenberg and Noah Smith talk with Katherine Dee (@default_friend) about dating in the 21st century, differences in dating markets, the impact of feminism, technology's influence on cultural creativity, societal …

Video page
Jan. 11, 2025

Should AI have Rights? With Nathan Labenz and Yeshua God, Robopsychol…

This week on Upstream, Nathan Labenz explores the fascinating and controversial realm of AI consciousness with robo-psychologist Yeshua God. Yeshua tackles the philosophical and ethical considerations of AI consciousness, discussing AI self-awareness, memory, and emotional capacity, while debating the implications …

Video page
Jan. 9, 2025

How Desalination Could Create New Superpowers | Samo Burja

Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the advancements in desalination technology, its current applications, and potential to address global water scarcity. They explore the technological and economic feasibility of large-scale desalination projects and their implications on geopolitics and environmental resilience. …

Video page