Uploaded May 2024 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago
In this week’s episode, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg explore various aspects of Joe Biden’s presidency to evaluate a case for reelecting Biden, focusing on economic policy shifts, spending concerns, inflation, and industrial policy. They also emphasize the historical and current political dynamics between the U.S. and China, exploring tariffs, trade, oil production, and technology, with a nuanced view of protectionism’s role in national security and economic growth.
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, Klaviyo and Rubrik - which just IPO'd.
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SPONSORS: BEEHIIV
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. 🐝 beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months
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SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
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LINKS:
Noahpinion: The Positive Case for Joe Biden https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/the-positive-case-for-joe-biden
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:19) Positive case for Joe Biden
(05:34) Biden's economic policies and achievements
(10:32) Discussing inflation during Biden’s administration
(15:00) Sponsor: Beehiiv
(16:10) Analyzing the CHIPS Act and Inflation Reduction Act
(20:16) Impact of tariffs and permitting challenges
(26:16) Tariff Debate: Impact on EVs and global manufacturing
(36:51) Alternatives policies and strategies beyond tariffs
(39:26) Evolution of America's approach to China: Obama, Trump, and Biden
(46:44) Wrap
In this week’s episode, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg explore various aspects of Joe Biden’s presidency to evaluate a case for reelecting Biden, focusing on economic policy shifts, spending concerns, inflation, and industrial policy. They also emphasize the historical and current political dynamics between the U.S. and China, exploring tariffs, trade, oil production, and technology, with a nuanced view of protectionism’s role in national security and economic growth.
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, Klaviyo and Rubrik - which just IPO'd.
--
SPONSORS: BEEHIIV
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. 🐝 beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months
_
SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
_
LINKS:
Noahpinion: The Positive Case for Joe Biden https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/the-positive-case-for-joe-biden
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
--
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:19) Positive case for Joe Biden
(05:34) Biden's economic policies and achievements
(10:32) Discussing inflation during Biden’s administration
(15:00) Sponsor: Beehiiv
(16:10) Analyzing the CHIPS Act and Inflation Reduction Act
(20:16) Impact of tariffs and permitting challenges
(26:16) Tariff Debate: Impact on EVs and global manufacturing
(36:51) Alternatives policies and strategies beyond tariffs
(39:26) Evolution of America's approach to China: Obama, Trump, and Biden
(46:44) Wrap





![Tech Maturity and What Lies Ahead
This week on ECON 102, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discuss the differentiation between technology and tech as an investment category, the future of AI, potential profitability of AI companies, and the challenges faced by VC investors in the AI space.
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SEND US YOUR Qs FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
LINKS:
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
Some thoughts on the future of the tech industry: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/some-thoughts-on-the-future-of-the
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:23) State of technology: Optimism vs. realism
(07:18) Consumer social and the limits of innovation
(11:10) Role of AI in education and healthcare
(18:35) Sponsors: NetSuite
(19:14) Impact of incumbents on innovation
(24:02) Future of e-commerce and remote work
(30:26) Sponsor: WorkOS | Babbel
(32:52) Future of AI in venture capital
(36:11) Economic impacts of AI adoption
(40:50) Challenges in AI profitability
(43:31) Role of big tech in AI
(50:26) Political shifts in the tech industry
(01:03:08) Wrap Tech Maturity and What Lies Ahead](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/E015NcNjrd4/mqdefault.jpg)




