Uploaded August 2023 | Updated September 2026, 8 hours ago
In episode 5, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discuss the promise and failings of higher education, working class economic prospects, the American healthcare system, and more. If you’re looking for an ERP platform, check out our sponsor, NetSuite: netsuite.com/turpentine
Econ 102 is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn more: turpentine.co
RECOMMENDED PODCAST:
Turpentine VC: Delve deep into the art and science of building successful venture firms through conversations with the world’s best investors and operators. Subscribe at the podcast platform of your choice: link.chtbl.com/TurpentineVC
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Episode preview
(01:23) How Noah joined, and then left academia
(04:29) The current state of universities
(09:30) Universities should invest in student companies indirectly
(11:03) Why Americans are falling out of love with college
(15:37) What stopped colleges from being able to provide a job and intellectual fulfillment
(15:48) Sponsor: NetSuite
(19:55) It's not harder for the average non-college educated American to get jobs nowadays
(22:00) Michigan's rust belt
(24:08) Was populism driven by economic or socio-cultural factors?
(26:23) Is the working class grievance justified?
(29:00) Why we don't have a healthcare system like Japan or Korea's
(31:42) Healthcare and housing instead of UBI
(36:45) Expectations around higher ed
(41:00) Why aren't employers starting their own universities?
(43:50) Custom training programs for big corporations
(45:57) What higher education will look like a decade from now
LINKS:
Americans are Falling Out of Love with the Idea of College https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/americans-are-falling-out-of-love
TWITTER:
@noahpinion (Noah)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
SPONSOR:
NetSuite has 25 years of providing financial software for all your business needs. More than 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you’re looking for an ERP platform head to NetSuite: netsuite.com/turpentine and download your own customized KPI checklist.
Music: JJ6QM9UU8YR1BFXB
PV2FXXAEI2N8ONVP
In episode 5, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discuss the promise and failings of higher education, working class economic prospects, the American healthcare system, and more. If you’re looking for an ERP platform, check out our sponsor, NetSuite: netsuite.com/turpentine
Econ 102 is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn more: turpentine.co
RECOMMENDED PODCAST:
Turpentine VC: Delve deep into the art and science of building successful venture firms through conversations with the world’s best investors and operators. Subscribe at the podcast platform of your choice: link.chtbl.com/TurpentineVC
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Episode preview
(01:23) How Noah joined, and then left academia
(04:29) The current state of universities
(09:30) Universities should invest in student companies indirectly
(11:03) Why Americans are falling out of love with college
(15:37) What stopped colleges from being able to provide a job and intellectual fulfillment
(15:48) Sponsor: NetSuite
(19:55) It's not harder for the average non-college educated American to get jobs nowadays
(22:00) Michigan's rust belt
(24:08) Was populism driven by economic or socio-cultural factors?
(26:23) Is the working class grievance justified?
(29:00) Why we don't have a healthcare system like Japan or Korea's
(31:42) Healthcare and housing instead of UBI
(36:45) Expectations around higher ed
(41:00) Why aren't employers starting their own universities?
(43:50) Custom training programs for big corporations
(45:57) What higher education will look like a decade from now
LINKS:
Americans are Falling Out of Love with the Idea of College https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/americans-are-falling-out-of-love
TWITTER:
@noahpinion (Noah)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
SPONSOR:
NetSuite has 25 years of providing financial software for all your business needs. More than 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you’re looking for an ERP platform head to NetSuite: netsuite.com/turpentine and download your own customized KPI checklist.
Music: JJ6QM9UU8YR1BFXB
PV2FXXAEI2N8ONVP
