I'm inspired by your take on this. As a business owner I'm really impressed by this account taking, planning and revisions. I'm crazy busy and probably one of your less intelligent and/or less well-read listeners but I make up for it with absolute enthusiasm for the show! I'm constantly surprised by the shifting focuses, but I like them! I never expect to be surprised but somehow every single episode feels unexpected and gives me a broader perspective. Thank you so much!
I'd actually like less episodes like the Noah Smith one. I get the desire to pull back from specific issues and try to examine things within a wider frame. It's baked into the original concept for the show, after all. But it's rare that you have a Zeihan or a DiStefano worthy of the task who can combine wide-ranging knowledge of a field based on deep study with some epistemic humility about their conclusions. I found Smith to be intolerable and didn't even make it halfway through the episode. It was just dramatic, unsupported assertion after dramatic, unsupported assertion, jumping all over the map. It seems unlikely that someone could know that many things, much less with that much certainty. (Though I concede this may be a personal stylistic preference.)
I'd honestly be much more interested in hearing you both in a focused discussion episode that tried to tie together a year or a quarter of interviews into some big themes and conclusions as opposed to Marshall politely querying a professional take-haver. We hear less from Saagar anyway, so this is another way to make that easier for him. Just my two cents. Thanks again for all the work you put into this.
Please Marshall, don't subject us to Smith again, OK?
- every 3rd word was 'like'. It's annoying AF, particularly from someone who had been an instructor at University level. It's juvenile, but what's worse is that it indicates poor conceptualization of the topic. The dude's winging it.
If anything, his holding a PhD (I assume, b/c he was an instructor at Stoney Brook) demonstrates the paucity of worth of an Econ degree. Did I just hear a freaking economist state that there's only 3 axii of the US economy? (immigrants/universities and cities) WTF'nF? Like YellowDart, I had to turn this guy off, and I normally listen thru to the end. In fact, I put it back on when the email dropped, but no... an opinionated, ill-informed blather-er. Click. Done.
Saagar's making a mistake in not being more present here. BP's quality has slipped drastically, and TBH, I don't think it will be here in five years. It's become a rehash of the headlines with no significant insights given for the events described. It's the insights that made the show, but both K&S have been winging it since the mid-terms. I think they're going to see a significant fall off of subs come May or June (I signed up the first day). They're being warned by their viewers and are ignoring the comments on the subscriber feed (tired of 'LIVE SHOW!' promos opening every episode, and oh god, if I hear Taylor Lorenz's name one more time... and I'm far, far from alone in that).
Whatev.
You're doing great w/ the Realignment. I'll give you a solid B. And that's in spite of your bias that favors the defense industry over and over. I think doing 20 episodes a month is too much for you, Marshall. I mean, you're pretty much on your own in show prep, and although you're a FANTASTIC interviewer who preps well, that's just too much IMO.
Let me put it this way: I listen to your episodes during the normal scheduling (2-3/week) often twice b/c the guests are so good, and even if they're not, your questions are so damn good! (ahem... NOAH...shut down at 30mns...) I think if you gave yourself the space, you'd be able to line up fantastic guests and keep the quality up. (Suggestion: Col. Douglas MacGregor...he's got the resume and a wildly different take on Uk V Russia than what you're hearing all the time...) Having said that, I'm sad you scorn Aaron Mate so much; frankly it's a bad look on you b/c that guy does his homework and brings the reciepts.
Don't be shy to go w/ guests who aren't flogging their newest book. You have a roster of 2 years (3? how time flies) of past guests you could ask on more regularly. Here's some prompts:
- Do we still need the MSM we currently have? What function does it serve? Is it really a tool of propaganda, or is it a chronicler of the 'state of the nation'? Have one guest pro, one con like last week's Munk debate in Canada.
- what are the forecasts for trades in the next 10 years? Skilled trades: trained carpenters, licensed trades too (elect/plumbing)... what is being done, what SHOULD be done to grow the shrinking field, and what are the industry's forecasts and plans to deal w/ that. (Note...Noah should learn to weld I think...lol)
- Federal v State powers: how much is the divide growing now w/ the overturn of Roe, and moreso, the movement of State legislatures passing laws that are invalidating Federal mandates. What's the situation on the ground now, and where is it heading?
- should the USA have an entrenched industrial policy building on the passage of Chips Act? Is there momentum in this regard?
- you haven't done much this past year covering the tectonic shift in the Biden admin re corporate consolidation. Is that going to continue? And what is the interplay b/t the FTC and DOJ people who are spearheading these efforts? For a counterpoint- is consolidation inherently bad, or are there industries that benefit. Industries, not shareholders.
I enjoy the back & forth b/t you and Saagar. If he's too busy, I'm sure that you can find others just as insightful (and educated in history) as him to rotate with.
- finally, you grew up in Oregon, worked in NYC and DC and now live in Austin. Besides the great bbq (according to Rogan) why did you move? More importantly, what is the state of inner migration in the USA to southern states? Is there a significant shift of population, or is Austin just the 'New Seattle' or something. I THINK there's something going on, but IDK. Is there?
The show's solid, man. Back off on these daily productions (I pretty much ignored your Uk episodes you ran b/c they were way, wayyy too one sided. (Putin BAAAD...gimme a break) TBH, that's why I give you a B for this season. I'd like more of a dispassionate assessment, more from a 'view from nowhere' perspective that Taibbi tries to do.
I'm inspired by your take on this. As a business owner I'm really impressed by this account taking, planning and revisions. I'm crazy busy and probably one of your less intelligent and/or less well-read listeners but I make up for it with absolute enthusiasm for the show! I'm constantly surprised by the shifting focuses, but I like them! I never expect to be surprised but somehow every single episode feels unexpected and gives me a broader perspective. Thank you so much!
I'd actually like less episodes like the Noah Smith one. I get the desire to pull back from specific issues and try to examine things within a wider frame. It's baked into the original concept for the show, after all. But it's rare that you have a Zeihan or a DiStefano worthy of the task who can combine wide-ranging knowledge of a field based on deep study with some epistemic humility about their conclusions. I found Smith to be intolerable and didn't even make it halfway through the episode. It was just dramatic, unsupported assertion after dramatic, unsupported assertion, jumping all over the map. It seems unlikely that someone could know that many things, much less with that much certainty. (Though I concede this may be a personal stylistic preference.)
I'd honestly be much more interested in hearing you both in a focused discussion episode that tried to tie together a year or a quarter of interviews into some big themes and conclusions as opposed to Marshall politely querying a professional take-haver. We hear less from Saagar anyway, so this is another way to make that easier for him. Just my two cents. Thanks again for all the work you put into this.
Oh man, you are so right...
Please Marshall, don't subject us to Smith again, OK?
- every 3rd word was 'like'. It's annoying AF, particularly from someone who had been an instructor at University level. It's juvenile, but what's worse is that it indicates poor conceptualization of the topic. The dude's winging it.
If anything, his holding a PhD (I assume, b/c he was an instructor at Stoney Brook) demonstrates the paucity of worth of an Econ degree. Did I just hear a freaking economist state that there's only 3 axii of the US economy? (immigrants/universities and cities) WTF'nF? Like YellowDart, I had to turn this guy off, and I normally listen thru to the end. In fact, I put it back on when the email dropped, but no... an opinionated, ill-informed blather-er. Click. Done.
Saagar's making a mistake in not being more present here. BP's quality has slipped drastically, and TBH, I don't think it will be here in five years. It's become a rehash of the headlines with no significant insights given for the events described. It's the insights that made the show, but both K&S have been winging it since the mid-terms. I think they're going to see a significant fall off of subs come May or June (I signed up the first day). They're being warned by their viewers and are ignoring the comments on the subscriber feed (tired of 'LIVE SHOW!' promos opening every episode, and oh god, if I hear Taylor Lorenz's name one more time... and I'm far, far from alone in that).
Whatev.
You're doing great w/ the Realignment. I'll give you a solid B. And that's in spite of your bias that favors the defense industry over and over. I think doing 20 episodes a month is too much for you, Marshall. I mean, you're pretty much on your own in show prep, and although you're a FANTASTIC interviewer who preps well, that's just too much IMO.
Let me put it this way: I listen to your episodes during the normal scheduling (2-3/week) often twice b/c the guests are so good, and even if they're not, your questions are so damn good! (ahem... NOAH...shut down at 30mns...) I think if you gave yourself the space, you'd be able to line up fantastic guests and keep the quality up. (Suggestion: Col. Douglas MacGregor...he's got the resume and a wildly different take on Uk V Russia than what you're hearing all the time...) Having said that, I'm sad you scorn Aaron Mate so much; frankly it's a bad look on you b/c that guy does his homework and brings the reciepts.
Don't be shy to go w/ guests who aren't flogging their newest book. You have a roster of 2 years (3? how time flies) of past guests you could ask on more regularly. Here's some prompts:
- Do we still need the MSM we currently have? What function does it serve? Is it really a tool of propaganda, or is it a chronicler of the 'state of the nation'? Have one guest pro, one con like last week's Munk debate in Canada.
- what are the forecasts for trades in the next 10 years? Skilled trades: trained carpenters, licensed trades too (elect/plumbing)... what is being done, what SHOULD be done to grow the shrinking field, and what are the industry's forecasts and plans to deal w/ that. (Note...Noah should learn to weld I think...lol)
- Federal v State powers: how much is the divide growing now w/ the overturn of Roe, and moreso, the movement of State legislatures passing laws that are invalidating Federal mandates. What's the situation on the ground now, and where is it heading?
- should the USA have an entrenched industrial policy building on the passage of Chips Act? Is there momentum in this regard?
- you haven't done much this past year covering the tectonic shift in the Biden admin re corporate consolidation. Is that going to continue? And what is the interplay b/t the FTC and DOJ people who are spearheading these efforts? For a counterpoint- is consolidation inherently bad, or are there industries that benefit. Industries, not shareholders.
I enjoy the back & forth b/t you and Saagar. If he's too busy, I'm sure that you can find others just as insightful (and educated in history) as him to rotate with.
- finally, you grew up in Oregon, worked in NYC and DC and now live in Austin. Besides the great bbq (according to Rogan) why did you move? More importantly, what is the state of inner migration in the USA to southern states? Is there a significant shift of population, or is Austin just the 'New Seattle' or something. I THINK there's something going on, but IDK. Is there?
The show's solid, man. Back off on these daily productions (I pretty much ignored your Uk episodes you ran b/c they were way, wayyy too one sided. (Putin BAAAD...gimme a break) TBH, that's why I give you a B for this season. I'd like more of a dispassionate assessment, more from a 'view from nowhere' perspective that Taibbi tries to do.
Have a great 2023!