Uploaded July 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
In our first episode of Econ 102, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discuss the highs and lows of Biden's first term, Biden's policies in comparison to previous presidents and other leaders, as well as China -- its real estate sector, industrial and manufacturing industries, and its views on the tech sector.
Econ 102 is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn more: turpentine.co
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Episode Preview
(01:24) Overview of Biden's first term
(02:56) The most important thing Biden's done
(12:19) What are the chances of Trump returning?
(14:03) In the 1970s once again
(14:47) Woke concerns among Republicans
(15:38) Noah's ideal foreign policy
(17:46) Japan's importance in foreign policy
(19:29) Main foreign policy concerns in the next cycle
(20:30) The ideal containment strategy
(22:55) China
(26:23) Getting to 1 billion Americans as a foreign policy measure
(27:24) Real estate in China
(31:33) Comparing and contrasting Chinese and American industrial policy
(37:02) China's stomp on the IT industry to encourage manufacturing
(39:09) The difference in Chinese and American views of manufacturing
(43:18) Revitalizing American manufacturing
(46:08) The services industry
(48:03) A shortage of human truckers
CALL FOR SPONSORS:
We're looking for sponsors to partner with on this show. If you or your business might be interested, send us a note at erik@turpentine.co, with ECON102 in the headline. Find out more here: turpentine.co/sponsors
LINKS MENTIONED:
Real Estate is China's Economic Achilles Heel: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/real-estate-is-chinas-economic-achilles
Why is China Smashing its Tech Industry: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/why-is-china-smashing-its-tech-industry#:~:text=They%20probably%20took%20a%20look,it%20was%20time%20to%20smash.
Noah Smith's newsletter: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
Erik Toenberg's newsletter: eriktorenberg.substack.com
TWITTER:
@noahpinion (Noah)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
Music License: 4NI2V661BZC8STHJ
In our first episode of Econ 102, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discuss the highs and lows of Biden's first term, Biden's policies in comparison to previous presidents and other leaders, as well as China -- its real estate sector, industrial and manufacturing industries, and its views on the tech sector.
Econ 102 is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn more: turpentine.co
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Episode Preview
(01:24) Overview of Biden's first term
(02:56) The most important thing Biden's done
(12:19) What are the chances of Trump returning?
(14:03) In the 1970s once again
(14:47) Woke concerns among Republicans
(15:38) Noah's ideal foreign policy
(17:46) Japan's importance in foreign policy
(19:29) Main foreign policy concerns in the next cycle
(20:30) The ideal containment strategy
(22:55) China
(26:23) Getting to 1 billion Americans as a foreign policy measure
(27:24) Real estate in China
(31:33) Comparing and contrasting Chinese and American industrial policy
(37:02) China's stomp on the IT industry to encourage manufacturing
(39:09) The difference in Chinese and American views of manufacturing
(43:18) Revitalizing American manufacturing
(46:08) The services industry
(48:03) A shortage of human truckers
CALL FOR SPONSORS:
We're looking for sponsors to partner with on this show. If you or your business might be interested, send us a note at erik@turpentine.co, with ECON102 in the headline. Find out more here: turpentine.co/sponsors
LINKS MENTIONED:
Real Estate is China's Economic Achilles Heel: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/real-estate-is-chinas-economic-achilles
Why is China Smashing its Tech Industry: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/why-is-china-smashing-its-tech-industry#:~:text=They%20probably%20took%20a%20look,it%20was%20time%20to%20smash.
Noah Smith's newsletter: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
Erik Toenberg's newsletter: eriktorenberg.substack.com
TWITTER:
@noahpinion (Noah)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
Music License: 4NI2V661BZC8STHJ
