Junto Club

JuntoClub

In 1727, Benjamin Franklin organized a group of friends to create a club for mutual improvement. Inspired by Franklin's Junto club, we are following in the tradition, and look to discuss topics around science, philosophy, politics, business, and anything else that might be of interest, in an effort to better understand ourselves and the world.

  1. APR 9

    Robert Noyce - Founder of the Semiconductor Industry

    We started with some excellent advice for living from Kevin Kelly, before we dived into the life of Robert Noyce, the founder of Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel.

    1h 13m

  2. JAN 15

    You're Sort of Free to Choose: A Discussion on Free Will

    In this episode, we reflect on why experience only matters if it leads to growth rather than defeat. The conversation ranges from the bankruptcy of iRobot to security concerns surrounding laptop maker Lenovo, before turning to the main topic: free will. Matt breaks down traditional determinism, the implications of quantum uncertainty, and what fMRI research reveals about human decision-making. There is a focus on compatibilism, the view held by many modern philosophers that seeks to reconcile free will with a determined universe.

    1h 23m

  3. 11/29/2025

    Foundation Models Aren’t for the Children

    In this meeting, Shu channels his inner David Ogilvy, pulling wisdom from the father of advertising as we unpack how bold individuals can often push progress faster than committees —while recognizing the moments when group consensus still matters. We pivot to the New York City mayoral race, and the strange new world of AI toys that occasionally say the wrong things to kids.  Our main discussion digs into foundation models in machine learning, the expanding economic frontier these models are creating, the staggering costs behind building them, and why thoughtful data collection matters more than ever. It’s a conversation about hype, hard realities, and the discipline needed to build the future responsibly.

    1h 24m

  4. 10/28/2025

    Orphan King - Wang Chuanfu of BYD

    In this meeting, we start with a quote about whether humans truly think or just pretend to. Matt shared a dangerous breakthrough in personal EV and taught Shu political lessons including the unintended consequences of rent freeze. Our main topic dives into the rise of BYD — the Chinese electric car giant challenging Tesla and reshaping the global EV market - with a focus on Wang Chuanfu, the founder of BYD.

    1h 41m

  5. 09/07/2025

    Full Steam Ahead - The Story of Gabe Newell

    During this meeting, we started with a discussion on the acid test of a political system, and then Matt shared his admiration of the benevolent overlord Gabe Newell, the legendary founder of the legendary company Valve that Shu had never heard of.

    1h 23m

  6. 06/14/2025

    Epic Company. Epic Founder. Epic Systems

    Welcome to meeting 59 of Junto Club, recorded June 8, 2025.  On this episode, we begin with a quote from Einstein about how to think when problem solving. Matt goes on a rant about energy and admits he may have been wrong on an episode from years ago. Shu covers Epic Systems for our main topic, focusing on the company's leader, Judy Faulkner.

    1h 16m

  7. 03/22/2025

    The Nvidia Way

    Welcome to meeting 58 of the Junto Club (recorded March 16, 2025).  On this episode, we start by talking about the best way to give council. For our main topic, Shu teaches us all about the Jensen Huang and the Nvidia Way.  We wrap by discussing a highly controversial quote on time.

    1h 33m

  8. 12/25/2024

    Claude Shannon

    Welcome to meeting 57 of the Junto Club recorded on December 15, 2024. On this episode, Shu shares some wise words from a modern, up-and-coming philosopher. Then he teaches us all about the most important genius you may never have heard of, Claude Shannon.

    1h 39m
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About

In 1727, Benjamin Franklin organized a group of friends to create a club for mutual improvement. Inspired by Franklin's Junto club, we are following in the tradition, and look to discuss topics around science, philosophy, politics, business, and anything else that might be of interest, in an effort to better understand ourselves and the world.

Information

  • Creator
    JuntoClub
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Junto Club