"Moment of Zen‪"‬ Turpentine

In this episode of Moment of Zen, Erik is joined by Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist at New York University’s Stern School of Business and author of the newly released book "The Anxious Generation."
They have a comprehensive discussion that touches on the polarization and dysfunction in American politics, the impact of social media on democracy, and the importance of reclaiming a play-based childhood for the current generation
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SPONSORS: NETSUITE | BEEHIIV
NETSUITE
📈 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: http://netsuite.com/zen - NetSuite has extended a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program for a few more weeks.

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. 🐝 https://Beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months
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LINKS:
Website: https://jonathanhaidt.com/
Jon's Substack: https://www.afterbabel.com/p/welcome-to-the-after-babel-substack
The Anxious Generation: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/
The Anxious Generation Book: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book
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FOLLOW ON X:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@JonHaidt (Jon)
@moz_podcast (Moment of Zen)
@TurpentineMedia
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:13) Evolution of Jonathan's Work: From Moral Psychology to 'The Anxious Generation'
(01:14) The Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health
(02:50) Exploring the Tragedy of the Modern Childhood
(07:29) Addressing the Criticism and Pushback
(12:08) The Unprecedented Effects of Social Media on Society
(19:37) Adapting to Technological Changes and the Future of Childhood
(20:20) The Dire State of Democracy in the Digital Age
(27:01) How Technology Affects Liberals and Conservatives Differently
(28:20) Unveiling the Research: The Rise of Anxiety and Depression
(28:48) Breaking Down the Data: Gender, Politics, and Mental Health
(30:48) The Protective Power of Religion and Community
(31:32) Parenting Styles and Moral Values
(32:07) Challenges for Progressive Organizations and the Democratic Party
(32:42) Recommendations for a Healthier Childhood in the Digital Age
(33:50) Addressing the Broader Issues Beyond Smartphones
(34:35) The Role of Schools in Children's Mental Health
(36:33) A Call for Intentional Community Building
(37:34) Navigating the Public Health Crisis with Apolitical Solutions
(40:41) Engaging with the Tech Industry: Critiques and Clarifications
(41:01) The Debate on Content Moderation and the Need for Structural Changes
(56:27) Wrap

Today we're sharing a recent interview Erik gave to Alex LaBossiere that covers lots of themes we discuss on Moment of Zen - including Erik's views on tech vs. the media, hypocrisy of the elites, risk orientation, and the thesis behind Turpentine. Grow your newsletter with Beehiiv, head to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months
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SPONSORS: NETSUITE | BEEHIIV | SQUAD
NETSUITE
📈 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: http://netsuite.com/zen - NetSuite has extended a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program for a few more weeks.

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. 🐝 https://Beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months

SQUAD
💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.

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LINKS:
Alex Labossiere podcast:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@labossiere
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7lf0G6SBTArFlJYuHlPPoy?si=459fb368b525468d&nd=1&dlsi=eb2b481981f44211
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/labossiere-podcast/id1566013149

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FOLLOW ON X:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@adlabossiere (Alex)
@moz_podcast (Moment of Zen)
@TurpentineMedia

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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(05:38) On Investing vs Operating
(08:05) Trust and Direct Distribution
(11:55) Legacy Media and the Techlash
(17:54) Sponsor: Netsuite | Beehiiv
(20:32) What is Turpentine
(22:23) Lessons From 1000 Interviews
(23:51) The Printing Press, Barbells, and the Future of Media
(28:13) Pre-Internet Journalism and Survival of the Fittest Ideas
(31:35) Creator Monetization and Price Discrimination
(37:45) Sponsor: Squad
(39:12) Does Media Have a Direction?
(46:02) Tailwinds and Turpentine at Scale
(53:55) Creating More Startups and Understanding Risk
(58:42) Is Entrepreneurship Founder or Market Limited?
(1:03:22) What Do Most People Get Wrong About Community Building?
(1:05:51) Probabilistic vs Deterministic Mindsets
(1:08:48) On Faith over Logic
(1:12:22) Modernity and God Shaped Holes
(1:15:02) The Hypocrisy of Elites
(1:17:47) Asking Erik Questions He Asks People
(1:19:05) What Should More People be Thinking About?
(1:22:37) Wrap

Today’s episode is a debate from Bankless on the opposing viewpoints of Effective Accelerationism (E/ACC) and Effective Altruism (EA). Hosted by Ryan Sean Adams and David Hoffman and featuring Haseeb Qureshi and our own Erik Torenberg, the podcast discusses whether AI progression should be cautiously regulated or aggressively pursued with minimal oversight.
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SPONSORS: NETSUITE | BEEHIIV | SQUAD

NETSUITE
📈 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: http://netsuite.com/zen - NetSuite has extended a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program for a few more weeks.

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. 🐝 https://Beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months

SQUAD
💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.
-
Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns
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 episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0epyYBAxLeF0PsNagdDJAJ
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/company-breakdowns/id1743119197
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LINKS:
Check out: http://podcast.banklesshq.com/

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FOLLOW ON X:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@hosseeb (Haseeb)
@RyanSAdamsb (Ryan)
@TrustlessState
@BanklessHQ
@moz_podcast (Moment of Zen)
@TurpentineMedia

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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Preview
(00:43) Navigating the Tech Acceleration vs. Deceleration Debate
(06:31) Exploring Effective Altruism (EA) and Its Impact on AI and Tech
(08:53) The EA Perspective: Balancing AI Risk with Technological Progress
(17:52) Sponsor: Netsuite | Beehiiv
(20:15) Effective altruists debate AI's future impact
(30:04) Navigating the Culture War: Accelerationism vs. Decelerationism
(33:48) Sponsor: Squad
(35:50) EA's Influence and the Acceleration Debate
(37:28 )AI Regulation and the Influence of Congress
(38:12) Crypto Tribes and the Impact of Social Media
(39:03) The Reality of Crypto Twitter vs. Actual Influence
(39:51) Exploring Silicon Valley's Perspective on AI and Regulation
(41:44) The OpenAI Coup: Unpacking the Real Story
(44:03) AI Safety vs Self-Regulation
(46:13) Silicon Valley in AI Development and Regulation
(59:47) The Complexities of AI Ethics and the Call for More Debate
(1:09:15) Exploring the EA Worldview and Its Misconceptions
(1:09:44) A Rational Approach to AI and Existential Risks
(1:12:04) Branding and Perception Challenges of EA
(1:12:42) EA's Beta Energy vs. Alpha Aggression
(1:13:15) Balanced Tech Ecosystem: EA and E/ACC Synergy
(1:18:26) Navigating the Political Landscape of AI and Technology
(1:31:31) The Importance of a Multi-faceted Approach to AI Regulation
(1:40:06) AI Safety, Ethics, and Accelerationism
(1:42:22) Wrap

In this episode, Mike Rainbow (co-founder of Rainbow wallet) joins Erik, Dan, and Antonio as they dive into crypto's future. The conversation was prompted by the thesis that innovative social protocols like Farcaster are co-evolving with crypto wallets as onramps or a portal to web3. If you're looking for an ERP platform, check out NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen — NetSuite has extended a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program for a few more weeks.
–
SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | NETSUITE| HARMONIC | SQUAD
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. 🐝 to https://Beehiiv.com and use code “MOZ” for 20% off your first three months

📈 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: http://netsuite.com/zen - NetSuite has extended a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program for a few more weeks.

🧲 Learn why Craft, Bedrock, NEA, and 100s more trust Harmonic’s data to source deals. Harmonic is the most complete startup database, finding new companies as soon as they incorporate and tracking them through IPO. Head to https://bit.ly/harmonicturpentine and make sure to mention Turpentine VC during your demo.

💥 Head to Squad to access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com/ and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.
–
Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns
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 episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,
Spotify
Apple
–
FOLLOW ON X:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@mikedemarais (Mike)
@dwr (Dan)
@antoniogm (Antonio)
@moz_podcast (Moment of Zen)
@TurpentineMedia

–
LINKS:
Check out Rainbow: https://rainbow.me/en/
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Exploring Crypto's Impact on Financial Intermediaries
(01:36) Introducing Mike Rainbow: A Unique Crypto Personality
(02:09) Massachusetts Memories and Dunkin' Donuts Dominance
(02:46) East Coast Social Dynamics and Crypto Culture
(04:46) The Evolution of Wallets and Social Networks in Crypto
(06:26) Debating the Convergence of Crypto Products
(15:00) Sponsors: Netsuite | Harmonic
(17:18) Building Integrated Crypto Platforms Continued
(22:15) The Future of Messaging and Composability in Crypto
(27:30) Exploring Group Chat Dynamics and App Adoption
(28:13) The Evolution of Transaction Frames in Crypto
(30:37) Sponsor: Squad
(32:02) Innovations and Challenges in Transaction Frames
(36:29) Deep Dive into Frame Technology and Developer Challenges
(41:39) The Future of Frames and Web3 Standards
(46:51) Demographic Shifts and Future Directions for Farcaster
(53:49) Wrap

Bryan Johnson joins Antonio Garcia Martinez and Erik Torenberg on Moment of Zen to discuss the deeper spiritual beliefs behind the "Don't Die" movement in the face of AI and the inadequacy of human clock speed. They cover religions as death cults, long-termism vs engineering your own longevity, and Bryan's recent interview on Tucker Carlson.

If you're looking for an ERP platform, check out NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen - now through April 15th NetSuite is offering a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program.

–
SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | NETSUITE | HARMONIC | SQUAD
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. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months.

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: http://netsuite.com/zen - now through April 15th NetSuite is offering a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program.

🧲 Learn why Craft, Bedrock, NEA and 100s more trust Harmonic’s data to source deals. Harmonic is the most complete startup database, finding new companies as soon as they incorporate and tracking them through IPO. Head to https://bit.ly/harmonicturpentine and make sure to mention Turpentine VC during your demo.

💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.
–
Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns
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 episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,
Spotify
Apple
–
FOLLOW ON X:
@bryan_johnson (Bryan)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@agm.eth (Antonio)
@moz_podcast (Moment of Zen)
@TurpentineMedia

–
LINKS:
Bryan Johnson on Tucker Carlson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr4E0jEjQMM

Bryan Johnson's Blueprint/ Don't Die: https://protocol.bryanjohnson.com/DONT-DIE-by-Zero

Book recommendation: The Postmortal by Drew Magary https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10673576-the-postmortal
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Opening Banter
(00:19) Bryan's Tucker Carlson Interview
(01:19) Long-Termism
(02:24) The 25th Century Perspective
(07:56) Navigating the Future with AI and the Network State
(09:40) Sponsor: Netsuite | Squad
(12:11) The 'Don't Die' Philosophy and Its Implications
(15:47) The Blade Runner Fallacy
(18:39) Using Algorithms to Optimize Your Personal Life
(22:39) Redefining Civilization in the Age of AI
(25:50) On Mortality and Future Civilization
(32:22) Exploring Existential Crises and the Role of Faith
(33:45) The Identity Crisis in Modern Society
(36:08) Technology and Tradition: A Surprising Harmony
(38:04) Future of AI and Its Impact on Society
(38:56) Navigating the Unpredictable Future
(45:32) The Philosophical Debate on Existence and Survival
(1:02:14) Reimagining Human Experience in a Post-Death World
(1:04:28) Wrap

Li Jin joins Erik Torenberg, Dan Romero, and Antonio Garcia Martinez. Li is the co-founder of Variant Fund and a prolific writer. This episode dives deep into crypto, web3, memecoins, and the attention economy thesis. They cover the direction of techno-capitalism and its impact on politics, decentralization, and the cultural differences between American and European value systems. If you're looking for an ERP platform, check out NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen - now through April 15th NetSuite is offering a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program.

–
SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | NETSUITE | SQUAD
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. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months.

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: http://netsuite.com/zen and download your own customized KPI checklist.

💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.
–
Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns
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 episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,
Spotify
Apple
–

FOLLOW ON X:
@ljin18 (Li)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@dwr (Dan)
@agm.eth (Antonio)
@moz_podcast (Moment of Zen)
@TurpentineMedia
–
LINKS:
Li Jin: https://li-jin.co/about/
Variant Fund: https://variant.fund/
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TIMESTAMPSL
(00:00) Adding Ukraine to NATO
(01:30) Peace in Ukraine?
(05:16) On the Attention Economy
(10:16) Meme Coins and Attention Valuation
(14:23) Sponsor: NetSuite | Squad
(17:38) Meme Coins Continued
(23:51) Marxism
(33:05) Exploring the Power Structure and Social Tensions
(34:10) The Managerial Elite and Bourgeoisie Capitalism
(36:12) Perspectives on Europe and Innovation
(44:16) Crypto's Role in Society: Egalitarian or Hierarchical?
(57:35) Attention Economy and Memetics
(59:28) Wrap