Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
Noah Smith takes on the AI art critics who call it "fascist" - arguing nobody is guaranteed a job forever.
Noah Smith takes on the AI art critics who call it "fascist" - arguing nobody is guaranteed a job forever.
![Analyzing Economies [Round 3]: Middle East, Africa, South America, and North America](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/c1dsY_topMc/mqdefault.jpg "Analyzing Economies [Round 3]: Middle East, Africa, South America, and North America
This episode is a continuation of the series analyzing the economies around the world, with Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg. Todays installment focuses 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.
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SEND US YOUR Qs FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
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Links:
Noah Smiths Noahpinion https://www.noahpinion.blog
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X / TWITTER:
@noahpinion (Noah)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:32) Egypts 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) Mexicos manufacturing and security woes
(43:48) Brazils potential in South American manufacturing
(48:01) Latin Americas fight against inequality
(55:12) Dominican Republics economic success
(01:00:51) Canadas economic stagnation
(01:05:33) Wrap
Music license:
#2850")
![How the Fed Works, Currency Crises, and TikTok ban [Listener Mailbag]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/d7ZpZQVUAks/mqdefault.jpg "How the Fed Works, Currency Crises, and TikTok ban [Listener Mailbag]
In todays episode of Econ 102, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg tackle more listener questions: the Feds impact on inflation and the economy, theories behind interest rates unexpected effects, and greedflation. The discussion also extends to shifts in Japans 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
Recommended Podcast: @CompanyBreakdownsTurpentine
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 and Rubrik - which just IPOd.
SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | WARP | HARMONIC
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SEND US YOUR Qs FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
_
LINKS:
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:35) Demystifying the Federal Reserve
(04:11) Greedflation and the role of corporate pricing in inflation
(08:03) Central banks vs. Market-based interest rates
(11:49) Nominal GDP targeting
(17:36) Sponsor: Beehiiv and Warp
(19:41) Canada’s housing market explained
(23:11) YIMBY policies and gentrification
(27:43) Sponsor: Harmonic
(28:49) Keynesianism and deficit management
(31:55) Exploring political influence on economic choices
(34:58) Choosing allies in the Middle East
(35:46) Navigating currency crises in Japan
(45:12) The future of TikTok and digital strategy
(46:26) Wrap")
