Free Cities Podcast Timothy Allen

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/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Private Cities, USA, Russia, Libertarianism, Honduran ZEDEs, Democracy, Monarchy, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Neom, The line.



Timothy Allen talks with Vera Kichanova.

Today's show is a conversation I had with the Free Cities Foundation's very own senior economist, Vera Kichanova.

Obviously, we take a deep pretty dive into the subject of private cities. Vera received the first ever Phd in the subject. What you may not know about her, however is that she was Russia's first ever elected libertarian… so I had to ask about that too.

There’s also a sprinkling of Argentinian politics, some observations on the successes of the UAE and we discuss the current buzz around Saudi Arabia and the country's fascinating plans for future.

Enjoy the conversation



TIMESTAMPS:

(00:30) Introduction.

(03:12) What does a senior economist at the Free Cities foundation do?

(08:53) Where did the private cities idea come from?

(19:23) Anti development is mainly due to what's called the precautionary principle.

(20:33) Development, democracy vs monarchy.

(25:30) Do you think the problem with the democratic system is a problem of scale?

(26:24) Vera was the first member of the Russian Libertarian party ever elected.

(34:30) Why did you leave Russian politics?

(37:58) What's your take on Javier Milei being elected president of Argentina?

(43:28) How many people actually want freedom?

(54:56) Do free cities have to be a city?

(59:38) Many people think Dubai was built on oil. They're wrong.

(01:04:15) Neom and The Line in Saudi Arabia

(01:08:23) Do you think there will ever be private governance in Saudi Arabia?



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:

Vera Kichanova: https://twitter.com/kichanova

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

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



WEBSITES:

Vera Kichanova: https://kichanova.com/

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

Settee, Geoarbitrage, Flag Theory, Brazil, Digital Nomadism, Portugal, Golden Visas, Georgia, Argentina, Lifestyle Planning



Timothy Allen talks with Danilo Silva.

Todays guest is the digital nomad and perpetual traveller, Danilo Silva.

Danilo is the C.O.O. of Settee, a Brazilian company that, in there own words “Helps Free People Become Citizens of the World”, advising on relocation, geoarbitrage and flag theory in general.

As you would imagine our conversation primarily revolves around these topics... Where are the hot countries to relocate to? Short & long term strategies, golden visas, tax havens or just havens of freedom. Listen on for more of the same.

Just one caveat before we proceed..,. we recorded this interview just before Javier Milei won the presidency in Argentina. So, when we’re discussing Argentina, it's the pre-Milei version.

Enjoy the conversation



TIMESTAMPS:

[00:30] Introduction.
[02:36] How long have you been a digital nomad?
[05:40] What do you do at Settee?
[10:24] Dealing with hyperinflation.
[18:37] Is Digital nomadism a sustainable lifestyle?
[21:04] Benefits of settling down for longer periods.
[27:10] Georgia as a digital nomad destination.
[30:32] Finding rental properties as a nomad.
[35:17] Three real life case studies from your work at Settee.
[41:09] Advising the host on his best strategy.
[47:10] Which are the best places to relocate to in Europe and North America.
[50:50] Living in Argentina, including cost of living and dating as a nomad.
[57:26] Inflation and economic survival in Argentina.
[1:02:53] Predictions for the future best places to relocate to.



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



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



Special Economic Zones Film:

gofundme:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/zones-of-progress-film-about-the-future-of-cities⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bitcoin: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://free-cities.org/donate/⁠⁠⁠⁠



TWITTER:

Settee: https://twitter.com/setteeio

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

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



WEBSITES:

Danilo Silva: https://linktr.ee/danilo.settee

Settee: https://www.settee.io/

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