Free Cities Podcast Timothy Allen

Alternative Governance, China, Próspera, Charter Cities, Dubai, Bitcoin, El Salvador, Digital Nomad Visas, Sovereign Individual Thesis, Network States, Infopreneurs.



Timothy Allen talks with Olivier Roland.

Olivier is a French author, entrepreneur, digital nomad and influencer with over 800,000 followers across his social media channels.  His latest book (not out yet) focuses on how the internet is disrupting nation-states and how to navigate these opportunistic times.

Olivier has been testing out the sovereign individual thesis for his manuscript by analysing the data related to the predictions that were made in the original book.  What he has discovered is incredibly fascinating along with the other topics discussed in this episode including China, Próspera, Dubai, charter cities, digital nomadism, network states and Olivier explains to me what an infopreneur is and why it is such an important concept for the 21st century.

Public service announcement: At about the 1hr 10m mark a microphone blew up and I had to restart the recording. I didn’t try to splice them together this time so prepare for quite a jolt in the conversation.

Enjoy.



TIMESTAMPS

[00:30] Introduction.

[04:08] Using special economic zones for experimentation and innovation.

[09:28] Describe what Próspera is doing.

[15:23] Próspera's unique social contract and governance model, with emphasis on experimentation and potential for innovation.

[20:44] Describe what you saw when you visited Próspera.

[26:38] How did you set up your business in Dubai?

[32:57] Dubai treats its residents like customers.

[38:23] What is the next innovation of SEZs?

[43:43] Bitcoin adoption in El Salvador, challenges and limitations.

[48:51] The future of nation states with a focus on digital nomads and the sovereign individual thesis.

[53:27] Analysing the predictions of 'The Sovereign Individual'.

[58:38] Digital nomads, captive audiences, and the future of global mobility.

[1:05:34] Why do people choose to stay in their home country?

[1:09:51] The future of digital nomads and sovereign individuals in a globalized world.

[1:14:54] Creating digital nomad communities and negotiating with governments for favorable conditions.

[1:19:31] Creating a digital nomad network state.

[1:25:00] Who are the big digital nomad influencers?

[1:30:49] Why is Dubai so successful?

[1:36:54] Infopreneurship.



TWITTER:

Olivier Roland: ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/OlivierRoland

Timothy Allen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Free Cities Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



OTHER LINKS:

Olivier Roland: ⁠⁠⁠https://olivier-roland.com/

Free Cities Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://free-cities.org/⁠

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Special Zones, Tipolis, International Cities, Autononous Zones, Evolution of Special Economic Zones.



Timothy Allen talks with Andreas Baumgartner.

I have another returning guest for you today.  The last time I spoke with Andreas Baumgartner was back in episode 32 where we discussed the ins and outs of negotiating with governments, something that Andreas does on behalf of Free Cities projects and organisations such as the Metis Institute, Praxis and, relevant in this conversation: Tipolis which is Titus Gebel’s organisation that creates privately run communities.

This conversation was recorded during one of our interviews for the Special Economic Zones film we are producing and afterwards I continued talking to Andreas about Tipolis and their ‘International Cities’ projects.  I’ve spliced both interviews together but you may observe that the latter part of the podcast is a bit more question/answer than is normal on this podcast since I was fishing for soundbites for a film. Nevertheless I thought there was some good info in there for all you Free Cities enthusiasts so I’ve left it in.

Hope you enjoy the dialogue.  Andreas is one of the OGs of the space and has more hands on experience than most.

Enjoy the conversation.



TIMESTAMPS

(00:30) Introduction

(02:40) Special economic zones are zones of opportunity

(04:49) How does a country decide on which SEZ trajectory to angle itself?

(06:25) Evolutionary stages of Special Economic Zones

(11:15) How can Dubai innovate its zones?

(12:25) Is there a sweet spot on the level of autonomy for Free Zones?

(22:46) What's your best advice for governments thinking of establishing a zone?

(25:48) What is at ther cutting edge of zones right now?

(29:41) More on the evolutionary stages of Special Economic Zones

(32:36) Is an SEZ an essential part of a nation state toolkit for growth?

(34:39) Where are the greatest opportunities in free zones?

(36:28) Do you think the brain drain is a real thing?

(43:50) A key aspect of autonomous cities is voluntarily opting into them

(46:26) Tipolis is developing International Cities, Building privately governed, autonomous communities

(51:05) Are Tipolis's International Cities new frontiers?

(52:20) Are integrated autonomous cities the zeitgeist of this age?



TWITTER:

Andreas Baumgartner: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/fDiIntelligence⁠

Timothy Allen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Free Cities Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



OTHER LINKS:

Andreas's previous appearance on the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/yck45fwd

fDi Intelligence: ⁠⁠https://www.fdiintelligence.com/⁠

Tipolis: https://tipolis.com/

Free Cities Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://free-cities.org/⁠

Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Liberty, Rights & Responsibilties, Democracy, Social Credit Scores, Freedom, Discipline, Governance, Brain Drain.



Timothy Allen talks with Nzube Udezue.

We’re back in the UAE again this week, where I was lucky enough to sit down with a gentleman by the name of Nzube Udezue.  Of course, you will probably know him by his stage name, Zuby, he's a highly influential rapper, podcaster and interestingly for me, a current resident of Dubai.

Zuby has a deep connection with the Middle East, growing up as he did in Saudi Arabia and in this conversation we discuss, amongst other things the pros and cons of living in the region along with some thoughts on liberty, rights and responsibilities, discipline, governance and how to find freedom in an unfree world.

Enjoy the conversation.



TIMESTAMPS:

(0:30) Introduction.

(2:26) Saudi Arabia and its perceptions, with a personal account of growing up there as an expat.

(8:00) Moving to Dubai, with emphasis on personal experiences and familiarity with the region.

(13:34) The growth of Dubai and the democratization of information.

(16:28) How perceptions of cities and nations change over time.

(22:28) Dubai's appeal as a hub for business, travel, and lifestyle.

(27:38) The UAE's long-term vision and planning, with a focus on diversifying the economy and attracting talent.

(32:06) Government barriers to progress.

(34:45) Democracy's flaws and the need for balance in political systems.

(40:15) Governance models, with a focus on the dangers of absolute power and the importance of individual responsibility.

(44:28) The challenges of imposing a single governance model on diverse cultures.

(50:18) Digital social credit scores, potential risks and drawbacks.

(54:50) The complexities of liberty and freedom, with conflicting views on their importance and prioritization.

(59:33) The complexities of freedom and how it relates to personal values, discipline, and geographical location.

(1:05:24) Natural rights, responsibilities, and balancing individual freedoms with societal needs.

(1:10:54) Why people are leaving the UK, including weather, taxes, and stagnation.

(1:12:15) Why did you leave the UK?



Make a small weekly donation to support the show:

⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/FreeCitiesPodcast/⁠⁠



Free Cities Telegram Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://t.me/+im6c6r4jQkUzMjU0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



LIBERTY IN OUR LIFETIME CONFERENCE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://libertyinourlifetime.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



TWITTER:

Zuby: https://twitter.com/ZubyMusic

Timothy Allen: ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen⁠⁠⁠

Free Cities Foundation: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound⁠⁠



OTHER LINKS:

Zuby: ⁠⁠https://www.zubymusic.com/

Real Talk with Zuby (Podcast): https://www.zubymusic.com/podcast

Free Cities Foundation: ⁠⁠https://free-cities.org/⁠

Dubai, SEZs, Special Zones, State Competitiveness, Monarchy, Multiculturalism, Nation State Lifecycles, Bitcoin ETFs, UTXO consolidation, Michael Saylor, Savings Technology.



Timothy Allen talks with Stephan Livera.

I've got another dispatch from Dubai for you this week and its also another returning guest, Stephan Livera.

The last time we spoke was way back in episode 04, over a year ago when I ran into him in El Salvador.  This week, we’re on his home territory, well adoptive home at least. He relocated to the UAE two years ago and in this conversation we discuss that move and why the Emirates have been so successful at attracting foreign talent over the last few years.

Other topics discussed include the demise of the western world, monarchies, multiculturalism, inflation and Stephan gives us a roundup of the all latest developments in the world of Bitcoin.

Enjoy the conversation.



TIMESTAMPS:

(0:30) Introduction

(7:50) El Salvador's potential to become a "Singapore of Central America" through economic zones and Bitcoin city, with mentions of Dubai.

(10:57) Brain drain, opportunities in Dubai, and lifestyle differences between Dubai and Sydney.

(17:51) Dubai's position as a global hub, with insights on its advantages and disadvantages.

(21:00) Governance, regulation, and property rights in different countries.

(27:00) The capture of institutions and the impact on minority rights.

(29:41) Long-term vs short-term thinking in politics and society.

(35:58) Making friends and networking in Dubai, with a focus on the city's multiculturalism and lack of political turmoil.

(42:09) Attracting and retaining top talent in countries like UAE and El Salvador.

(44:58) The economic development and competitiveness of the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

(50:42) Advantages of smaller states for liberty and alternatives to one-world government.

(53:27) Autonomy, secession, and Bitcoin developments in 2024.

(59:07) The future of Bitcoin's layered structure, with a focus on Lightning Network and custodial services.

(1:03:01) Bitcoin's scalability and layered approach, potential for high fees, and the importance of consolidating UTXOs.

(1:09:18) Bitcoin ETFs, privacy trade-offs, and investment strategies.

(1:13:22) Bitcoin as a savings technology, ETFs driving adoption, and inflation concerns.

(1:18:37) Bitcoin's potential price increase to mid-six figures, with mention of past cycles and potential for an 80% drop.

(1:24:45) Michael Saylor's views on Bitcoin, philanthropy, and the future of education.



Make a small weekly donation to support the show:

⁠https://www.patreon.com/FreeCitiesPodcast/⁠



Free Cities Telegram Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://t.me/+im6c6r4jQkUzMjU0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



LIBERTY IN OUR LIFETIME CONFERENCE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://libertyinourlifetime.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



TWITTER:

Stephan Livera: ⁠https://twitter.com/stephanlivera⁠

Timothy Allen: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen⁠⁠

Free Cities Foundation: ⁠https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound⁠



OTHER LINKS:

Stephan Livera: ⁠https://stephanlivera.com/⁠

Free Cities Foundation: ⁠https://free-cities.org/

Stephan's previous appearance on this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-free-cities-pod/episodes/004---Stephan-Livera-Bitcoin--Flag-Theory--Voting-With-Your-Feet-e1sbhrj/a-a92ao87

Stephan's Interview with Titus Gebel can be found here: ⁠⁠https://stephanlivera.com/episode/417/⁠⁠

Stephan's Bitcoin Magazine article 'Bitcoin and the Free Cities Movement' can be found here: ⁠⁠https://bitcoinmagazine.com/culture/bitcoin-enables-the-free-cities-movement⁠⁠

SEZs, Free Zones, Autonomous Cities, Shannon, China, Shenzhen, Dubai, UAE, Special Economic Zones, Honduras, Prospera, Democracy, Free Cities, International Cities.



Timothy Allen talks with Peter Young.

Today I have the Free Cities Foundation's managing director Peter Young back for another episode. This time we’re talking about SEZs, free zones and autonomous cities. We’re basically giving you the 101 on what we discovered during the making of our film 'Zones of Progress’ in Dubai.

There are lots of great insights here into the evolution of free zones and what their future might look like if the trend continues. Peter is super knowledgable on the subject, so pay close attention and soak up all the insights.  I personally think that understanding the history of SEZs  is hugely important if you are interested in the establishment of new autonomous territories.  

Look out too for my final penny drop moment with the concept of democracy: It's been a long journey for me on that subject, but it now appears that I may be ready to tackle Hans-Hermann Hoppe's 'Democracy, the God that Failed”.

Enjoy the conversation.



TIMESTAMPS:

0:30 - Introduction.
5:37 - Shannon Airport's history as a free zone and China's stance on special economic zones.
11:57 - China's economic transformation through special economic zones, particularly Shenzhen.
19:05 - China's economic zones and Dubai's special financial zone.
25:30 - Dubai treats its residents like customers.
39:33 - Attracting human capital is the zeitgeist.
38:55 - Free Cities will be sandboxes to explore alternatives to democracy.
43:14 - The history and reality of Charter Cities.
53:34 - The democratic system is high time preference.
57:54 - Peter's advice to governments thinking about setting up free zones.



Make a small weekly donation to support the show:

https://www.patreon.com/FreeCitiesPodcast/



Free Cities Telegram Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://t.me/+im6c6r4jQkUzMjU0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



LIBERTY IN OUR LIFETIME CONFERENCE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://libertyinourlifetime.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



TWITTER:

Peter Young: https://twitter.com/petermiyoung

Timothy Allen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Free Cities Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



WEBSITES:

Free Cities Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://free-cities.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠



AI Summary of Episode:

Historical and modern special economic zones, with a focus on their autonomy and evolution.


Peter Young discusses special economic zones, free zones, and autonomous cities.
Historical special economic zones predate modern incarnation (1959)


Shannon Airport in Ireland was once a refueling stop for transatlantic flights, but now it's an industrial area with 10,000 workers.
Peter Young explains why special economic zones' policies were rolled back in Ireland.
China's stance on special economic zones and economic debate during the 20th century.


China experienced difficult political period under Mao, with internal debate on future leadership and economic development.
Shenzhen's rapid growth from 30,000 to 12 million people in 30 years, 10 times Chicago's rate, made it a model for China's national policy.
In Shenzhen, foreign direct investment was allowed with local partners, allowing for significant ownership in Chinese companies.
Land use rights were relaxed in Shenzhen, allowing for more construction and the first ever land use sale prior to 1987.


Peter Young: China tested policies in special economic zones before implementing nationwide.
Timothy Allen: Dubai's special economic zones evolved from China's model, with successful results.
Timo

Dubai, Evolution of Cities, USA Cities, Healthcare, Education, Pharmaceuticals, Saudi Arabia, Consumer Choice, Innovation, Democracy.



Timothy Allen talks with Fred Roeder.

Today I have another conversation for you that I recorded in Dubai.  I am speaking with a gentleman by the name of Fred Roeder.

Fred is the managing director of the Consumer Choice Center which is a consumer advocacy group focusing on pro-growth policies or, as Fred put it: promoting abundance for consumers.

Fred is also a Dubai resident, having chosen to relocate there recently, so there’s a fair bit of chat in our conversation about the UAE and the benefits of living in the Middle East as well as subjects like the evolution of cities, governance incentives, innovative US cities, healthcare and we discuss the pros and cons of the democratic system.

Enjoy the conversation.



TIMESTAMPS:

(0:30) Introduction to episode.
(2:58) Who are you?
(6:56) Dubai is a platform.
(14:03) Dubai's leaders treat their citizens as customers.
(19:23) Does Dubai incentivise other governments to become more competitive?
(25:07) Do countries become inherently less attractive over time?
(31:29) Are any cities in the West innovating?
(38:09) What will Dubai innovate in the future?
(43:54) What happens when the state gets too big?.
(46:54) A new weight loss drug that reduces compulsiveness.
(54:08) Healthcare in Dubai and medical tourism.
(59:09) What is Dubai getting wrong?
(1:01:58) What is going on in Saudi Arabia?
(1:06:27) Pros and cons of the democratic process.



Make a small weekly donation to support the show:

⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/FreeCitiesPodcast⁠⁠



Free Cities Telegram Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://t.me/+im6c6r4jQkUzMjU0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



LIBERTY IN OUR LIFETIME CONFERENCE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://libertyinourlifetime.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



TWITTER:

Fred Roeder: https://twitter.com/FredCyrusRoeder

Timothy Allen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Free Cities Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



WEBSITES:

Consumer Choice Center: https://consumerchoicecenter.org/

Free Cities Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://free-cities.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠