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Today on Moment of Zen, Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja examine Singapore's transformation from poor post-colonial state to wealthy financial hub through Lee Kuan Yew's strategic governance, geopolitical balancing, and prioritizing economic efficiency over individual freedoms. Make sure to subscribe to Samo Burja's Bismarck Brief and the Live Players podcast to read analyses and briefs like this one: Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers --
My conversation with Samo Burja, founder of Bismarck Analysis. He chairs the editorial board of Palladium Magazine.Topics we discuss are well captured by the timestamps below.Watch on YouTube or X. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast platform. Follow me on X for updates on future episodes.Click here to support my work.Timestamps0:00 - Intro1:18 - Live players5:41 - Great Founder Theory11:20 - Our material technology rests on our social interactions14:23 - Optimism, pessimism, and human agency23:21 - Operationalized knowledge25:22 - Lost and dead traditions of knowledge27:34 - Tradition of criticism29:36 - The most important piece of knowledge to preserve32:27 - Common features of declining societies39:18 - Are the Spartan warriors overrated and just had very good PR?42:07 - DOGE and bureaucracy in America45:28 - The machinery of freedom47:43 - Tech Samo is most excited about over the next 5 years50:10 - Curtis Yarvin and the orbital authority55:01 - Samo's advice for young peopleFollow me on X.Follow Samo on X. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.arjunkhemani.com
Jim talks with Samo Burja about his report on the defense startup Anduril's plan to modernize the U.S. military. They discuss "live players vs. dead players," AI adoption & cognitive tools, Anduril's background & naming origin, military technology modernization, software-defined conflicts, autonomous & software-enabled weapons, sensor deployment & data collection, the Lattice software platform, hardware offerings including drone & underwater vehicle acquisitions, surface naval warfare obsolescence, military industrial capacity, US vs. China manufacturing capabilities, personnel-to-weapon system ratios, drone production scale, cost considerations, defense industry ecosystem, traditional contractors, friend-shoring possibilities, NATO+ industrial capacity, component manufacturing, future warfare implications, training advantages of digital systems, scale of drone warfare, AI capabilities gaps between nations, industrial advantages in military competition, and much more. Episode Transcript EP 244 Samo Burja on Lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War Bismarck Brief "Anduril's Plan to Modernize the U.S. Military," by Samo Burja Rebooting the Arsenal of Democracy EP 247 Sergey Kuprienko on Drone Warfare in Ukraine Bismarck Analysis Foresight Institute Anduril Industries "Anduril Industries Acquires UAS Developer Blue Force Technologies" - Press Release Samo Burja is the president and founder of Bismarck Analysis, a consulting firm specializing in institutional analysis for clients in North America and Europe. He is also a Senior Research Fellow in Political Science at the Foresight Institute and chair of the editorial board of Palladium Magazine. You can follow him at @SamoBurja.
Today on Moment of Zen, Erik Torenberg talks with Samo Burja on "long history" - the thesis that human civilization is far older than believed, with complex societies predating agriculture by millennia. It examines why civilizations rise and fall, and implications for preventing our own collapse. Make sure to subscribe to Samo Burja's Bismarck Brief and the Live Players podcast to read analyses and briefs like this one: Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers --
Today on Moment of Zen, Erik Torenberg talk with Samo Burja on nuclear weapons proliferation, energy geopolitics, and his "nuclear accelerationist" argument that widespread nuclear capability is inevitable, so countries should pursue abundant nuclear energy despite proliferation risks. Make sure to subscribe to Samo Burja's Bismarck Brief and the Live Players podcast to read analyses and briefs like this one: Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers --
Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg examine how dynastic succession can outperform meritocratic systems. The discussion analyzes successful family-controlled enterprises like the New York Times, Samsung, and Sweden's Wallenberg companies, arguing that hereditary structures can often solve succession problems more effectively than rational selection mechanisms. Make sure to subscribe to Samo Burja's Bismarck Brief and the Live Players podcast to read analyses and briefs like this one: Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers --
Today on Moment of Zen, Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja examine "failed" industrial revolutions throughout history, particularly Rome's sophisticated water-powered manufacturing, standardized production, and steam engine prototypes. The discussion explores how civilizations like Rome and Song Dynasty China achieved industrial-scale commerce and technology before ultimately plateauing or collapsing due to demographic, military, or economic constraints. Make sure to subscribe to Samo Burja's Bismarck Brief and the Live Players podcast to read analyses and briefs like this one: Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers --
Today on Moment of Zen is a conversation I had with Samo Burja back in January 2024 on Japan's existential demographic crisis, analyzing how collapsing fertility rates and population aging threaten the nation's economic and geopolitical future. The discussion explores cultural barriers to family formation, automation limitations, and Japan's dilemma between preserving identity versus accepting transformative change. Make sure to subscribe to Samo Burja's Bismarck Brief and the Live Players podcast to read analyses and briefs like this one: Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers --
Today on Moment of Zen is a conversation I had with Samo Burja about the intricate historical, military, and cultural dimensions of the India-Pakistan conflict, and how these nuclear neighbors navigate their complex relationship. This podcast originally aired on the Village Global podcast. Make sure to subscribe to Samo Burja's Bismarck Brief and the Live Players podcast to read analyses and briefs like this one: Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers --
This week on Live Players, Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss geopolitical and societal complexities of the India-Pakistan conflict, examining the historical context, demographic challenges, military capabilities, and potential outcomes of the ongoing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. —
Today on Upstream, we're sharing Erik Torenberg conversation with Samo Burja where they discuss the Bronze Age collapse, technological advancements in ancient civilizations, and the nuanced history of the Roman Empire, along with a detailed analysis of contemporary geopolitical dynamics, particularly focusing on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and its implications for global power structures. —
Today on Upstream, we're sharing Erik Torenberg conversation with Samo Burja on this week's Live Players. They discuss the potential industrial revolutions in history, particularly in the Roman Empire and Song Dynasty China, their technological advancements, economic factors, and the reasons these revolutions didn't reach full fruition. —
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the potential industrial revolutions in history, particularly in the Roman Empire and Song Dynasty China, their technological advancements, economic factors, and the reasons these revolutions didn't reach full fruition. —
Today's episode is a conversation I had with Samo Burja in 2019 about why civilizations collapse, how functional institutions are built, and what makes some societies flourish while others decay. We explore his Great Founder Theory, the myth of egalitarianism, and why exceptional outliers drive innovation more than democratic processes. This podcast originally aired on the Village Global podcast. Make sure to subscribe to Samo Burja's Bismarck Brief and the Live Players podcast to read analyses and briefs like this one: Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers --
Today on Upstream, we're releasing a 2024 conversation between Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja. They discuss China's approach to energy security, exploring why China isn't pursuing energy independence despite significant oil production capability and the potential for further development. —
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja examine India's trajectory as the world's most populous nation, tackling India's surprising demographic decline, delayed industrialization due to bureaucratic inefficiency, and complex relations with China and Pakistan. They explore Modi's nationalist approach, India's digital potential, and how institutional barriers might limit India's rise in a multipolar world order. Make sure to subscribe to Samo Burja's Bismarck Brief and the Live Players podcast to read analyses and briefs like this one: Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers --
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja dive deep into how Xi Jinping is shaping China's society today and its place in the world. They discuss Xi's firm hold on power, his connections with different political groups, and how his decisions are affecting China's economy, military, and politics. Make sure to subscribe to Samo Burja's Bismarck Brief and the Live Players podcast to read analyses and briefs like this one: Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers —
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the complex relationship between Mexican drug cartels and the country's political system. Samo explains how cartels operate not as insurgencies but as business entities with deep connections to Mexican elites. The discussion covers the economic impact of drug trafficking, how legalization affects cartel operations, and comparisons with other countries' experiences, and explore potential solutions for Mexico's development and the geopolitical implications for U.S.-Mexico relations. Make sure to subscribe to Samo Burja's Bismarck Brief and the Live Players podcast to read analyses and briefs like this one: Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers —
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja examine the pervasive fascination with American political dynamics and their far-reaching impact worldwide, especially across Western democracies and European nations. They analyze how digital connectivity has accelerated the harmonization of political discourse and cultural values across borders, while exploring the emerging shifts in European political frameworks that increasingly reflect American ideological patterns and media narratives —
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the limitations of populist politics, the difficulty populists face in effecting change despite electoral wins, and the influence of digital democracy on modern governance. —
This week on Upstream, Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the widespread interest in U.S. politics and its global influence, particularly in Western and European countries, the internet's role in synchronizing political and cultural norms, and potential changes in European political landscapes influenced by American ideologies and media. —
In this episode of Live Players, Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss the global influence of U.S. politics on Western countries, the persistence of Western civilization as a political unit, the synchronization of political interests via the internet, and the potential for significant right-wing and free speech shifts in Europe given increased American cultural influence. —
Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss the future of space colonization, touching on the implications of Mars and lunar settlements, the technological advancements driving space exploration, and how multi-planetary life might reshape human cultures, geopolitical dynamics, and economic structures. —
This week on Upstream, Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the economic, political, and cultural implications of colonizing Mars and the Moon, discussing space treaties, potential Martian and Earth societal divergence, and the technological advancements driving humanity's future as a multi-planetary species. —
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja examine how advancing desalination technology could reshape geopolitics and transform landscapes. They discuss how affordable desalination ($0.3 cents per liter) makes large-scale terraforming feasible, potentially enabling countries like Saudi Arabia or Australia to create vast green spaces and support larger populations. The technology's implications extend beyond water security to national development and climate resilience. The essay on desalination originally appeared in The Bismarck Brief - subscribe here: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/ —
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja analyze Curtis Yarvin's arguments about government inefficiency, comparing corporate and state governance structures. The conversation covers how bureaucracies decay over time, China's approach to governance, and Yarvin's influence in shifting Silicon Valley libertarians toward more right-wing positions. They also examine his evolution from a cancelled figure to a mainstream intellectual voice. —
01:00 We Finally Know The Name Of The Black Hawk Operator - Rebecca Lobach, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=158831 20:00 Video: 500-Hour Blackhawk H-60 Pilot, Rebecca Lobach, Failed to See & Avoid American Eagle 5342, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3PtOdR_VCc 48:00 Colin Liddell joins the show to discuss the DC crash, personalist vs situationist approaches, Elon Musk and the tech oligarchs 58:00 Elon Musk - hero or con man? 1:04:20 The significance of AI 1:15:30 Common values vs common interests: Which is a stronger basis for cooperation? 1:20:00 Hereditarian vs woke 1:24:00 Philosopher Michael Huemer: Are Men and Women Different? https://fakenous.substack.com/p/are-men-and-women-different 1:31:00 Kip joins to talk about identity 2:22:00 Tim Dillon: Bernie Sanders: You do not go after a man's merch, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgUUfPTnMoY 2:40:00 Martin Van Creveld: Military Women Are Not the Cure, They Are the Disease, https://www.martin-van-creveld.com/military-women-not-cure-disease/ 2:43:00 Women in combat is a bad idea, https://www.martin-van-creveld.com/?s=idf+female+soldiers&submit=Search 2:50:00 Reflections on Yarvin, Why the Right is Stuck, and Startups as Dictatorships w/ Samo Burja, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeXLXbguZn0 3:03:00 Men, Women & War: Do Women Belong in the Front Line?, https://www.amazon.com/Men-Women-War-Belong-Front/dp/0304359599 3:21:30 The Truth about Women in Combat, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3Cr2Tyn6io 3:32:00 World peace and the meaning of life: What equips a podcaster to be a multi-dimensional philosopher king?, https://thecritic.co.uk/issues/february-2025/world-peace-and-the-meaning-of-life/ 3:38:00 Cricket in the 70's - The Chappell Era - 2002, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8uyQEZZ6zU 3:45:30 Luka Doncic Traded to the Lakers? For Anthony Davis? Why Dallas Why??? | The Bill Simmons Podcast, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lYIfiyM_oE 3:56:00 Confessions of the world's most elite sober coach, https://www.ft.com/content/edeb157b-f543-4af4-8532-4bd30f249dac 4:01:10 Why TRUMP'S Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Opposes Women in Combat, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlwunCVoFLo 4:22:20 Phyllis Schlafly — Debate on Women in Combat | 1991, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr9vODvi0JU 4:37:45 A Conversation with Professor Emeritus Martin Van Creveld of the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-BZfazbyRs 4:41:45 Bill Romanowski: He Won 4 Super Bowls… Then Became EVIL, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rErWl1KsWXU 4:46:45 Talk: A Novel (2014) by Michael Smerconish, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=139199
In this episode of Live Players, Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss Curtis Yarvin's influence on government efficiency ideas, the pitfalls of gridlock and bureaucratic decay, and how transformative figures and strategic decision-making affect national and corporate success. —
In this episode, Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss Curtis Yarvin's recent New York Times interview. They explored his ideas, especially the comparison between corporate market dynamics and government functionality, and the need for live players in leadership to prevent bureaucratic decay. —
Samo Burja discusses his "Great Founder Theory," in the Word of DaaS Podcast with Auren Hoffman, arguing that exceptional individuals throughout history have shaped civilization by creating influential institutions, while also exploring modern challenges around societal trust, fertility rates, and the changing dynamics between young and old generations in contemporary society. —
Samo Burja and Auren Hoffman discuss various topics including the Great Founder Theory, the decline of trust in elites, falling fertility rates, and the importance of exceptional individuals in shaping history and future societal structures. —
Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the advancements in desalination technology, its current applications, and potential to address global water scarcity. They explore the technological and economic feasibility of large-scale desalination projects and their implications on geopolitics and environmental resilience. —
This week on Live Players, Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss the significance of desalination technology, its advancements, costs, and potential to transform scarcity in regions with water shortages, highlighting how countries like Israel, Singapore, and the Gulf monarchies have employed these technologies and speculating on the geopolitical and environmental impacts. —
Samo Burja is an entrepreneur and political researcher. He's the founder of Bismarck Analysis and the editor of Palladium Magazine, a publication focused on governance and societal challenges.In this episode of World of DaaS, Samo and Auren discuss: Why great founders shape civilizationGlobal fertility decline and its implicationsThe magic of founders at age 23Why trust in institutions is collapsingLooking for more tech, data and venture capital intel? Head to worldofdaas.com for our podcast, newsletter and events, and follow us on X @worldofdaas. You can find Auren Hoffman on X at @auren and Samo Burja on X at @SamoBurja. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)
Samo and Erik explore Twitter's evolution, digital politics, and Europe's societal constraints. The conversation weaves through topics of online influence, cultural shifts, and the future of political discourse in the digital age. —
Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss the impact of social media platforms like Twitter, now X, especially under Elon Musk's ownership. They explore the changing political landscape, the dynamics of media personalities, and the evolving role of social media in shaping public discourse and political behavior. —
Today on Upstream, we're releasing an episode which originally aired on The Cognitive Revolution, a podcast from the Turpentine Network. Samo Burja and Nathan Labenz discuss AI's impact on geopolitics, scientific progress, and economic strategies, emphasizing the importance of AI science, the risks of weaponizing AI, and the future of industrial and energy policies in the U.S. and China. —
Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg dissect the complex web of religion, nationalism, and power that shapes Middle Eastern politics. In this analysis, Samo reveals why traditional solutions have failed and offers a look at how demographic shifts and emerging ideologies will transform the region's future. —
Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg the current situation in Syria, including the impact of President Assad's exile, the role of various factions and foreign powers, and the challenges of establishing a stable government amid ongoing conflict. —
James Poulos and Samo Burja, an entrepreneur and political researcher, dive into the decline of American government throughout the last century, associating it with bureaucracies becoming outdated and modern society shifting away from traditional practices. They also discuss the future of the country under Donald Trump's presidency and whether or not there has been too much damage done by the Biden administration to restore the U.S. to its former glory. Yes, there is hope for a bright future ahead, but can Trump and his team of “Avengers,” including RFK Jr. and Elon Musk, rebuild what Joe Biden and Kamala Harris destroyed? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Samo Burja and Rudyard Lynch explore global power shifts and the psychological impacts of modernity, drawing parallels between current societal changes and historical patterns from medieval times through the 1600s to analyze contemporary challenges in technology, surveillance, and social control. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/73c93dab-ae97-4cd1-af2b-e71406a6c16b —
In this episode of "Moment of Zen," hosts Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja delve into the concept of populism and its impact on modern politics. For full shownotes, visit highlight: https://highlightai.com/share/0a17c191-56ca-43f0-b169-614198ecbc29 -- Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess -- RECOMMENDED PODCAST:
Today on Upstream, Rudyard Lynch and Samo Burja discuss the aftermath of the U.S. presidential election, the decline of French influence in Africa, the psychology of modernity, and the potential future of free versus controlled internet. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/d3195f8d-9dc3-4891-83d6-3354a83efbe9 —
In this episode of Moment of Zen, host Rudyard Lynch engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Samo Burja, exploring the breakdown of traditional power structures and drawing parallels between modern times and the religious wars of the 1600s. They delve into topics such as the aftermath of Trump's election victory, the rise of private military companies in Africa, and the evolving dynamics of global power. For full shownotes, visit highlight: https://highlightai.com/share/4f3ff1c4-1c9e-451c-b2d5-54bc06f8a87f -- Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess --
In this episode of Live Players, Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss the dynamics of populism in politics. They analyze its strengths, limitations, and impact on institutions, governments, and political strategies, with a deep dive into historical and contemporary examples, including Trump, Brexit, and Orban's Hungary. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/d47475a8-fe9e-44a1-aa34-83e0621c8f6a —
This week, we're featuring discussions with Dario Amodei, Balaji Srinivasan, Marc Andreessen, Michael Levin, and Samo Burja on AGI scaling laws, AI safety, and AI development, exploring themes such as the evolution of AI, economic implications, and philosophical aspects of intelligence. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/9192a95f-b467-47c1-9de0-827cae992d6b —
In this episode of Upstream, Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss how Trump's victory signals a new alliance between right-wing politics and tech industry leaders like Elon Musk while exploring the challenges and opportunities of reforming government institutions through technological innovation. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/e4d3405e-6c8a-42ce-93f1-72caf85da775 —
In this episode of Live Players, Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss how Trump's victory signals a new alliance between right-wing politics and tech industry leaders like Elon Musk, while exploring the challenges and opportunities of reforming government institutions through technological innovation. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/c1bed565-e2a0-4a82-bb0b-6bd36b8d673d —
This week on Upstream, Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja explore the global demographic crisis, examining plummeting fertility rates worldwide and their potentially catastrophic implications for humanity's future. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/0d2557ac-2da6-4087-b6b4-b55f326b47fd —
Subscribe to The Realignment to access our exclusive Q&A episodes and support the show: https://realignment.supercast.com/REALIGNMENT NEWSLETTER: https://therealignment.substack.com/PURCHASE BOOKS AT OUR BOOKSHOP: https://bookshop.org/shop/therealignmentEmail Us: realignmentpod@gmail.comEarlier this month, Marshall moderated multiple panels at the Foundation for American Innovation's Reboot 2024: The New Reality. Today's episode is a conversation between Marshall, New York Times reporter Teddy Schleifer, and Bismark Analysis founder Samo Burja. They discuss the degree to which Silicon Valley has moved to the right during the Trump era, whether the post-Biden Democratic Party can win back the tech industry's center, and the role of the techlash in shifting the valley's ideology.