Balaji Sets The Record Straight on SBF's Downfall and the Israel-Hamas War

Balaji Srinivasan returns to Upstream for an unfiltered conversation about recent events: SBF's conviction and the conflict in the middle east. Make informed decision for high impact donations with GiveWell, which is offering Econ 102 listeners donation matching up to $100. To claim your match, go to www.givewell.org/ ➡️ pick “Podcast” enter "Upstream with Erik Torenberg" at checkout.
--
SPONSORS:
Shopify: shopify.com/torenberg for a $1/month trial period
Shopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of all ecommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries.From their all-in-one ecommerce platform, to their in-person POS system - wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. With free Shopify Magic, sell more with less effort by whipping up captivating content that converts - from blog posts to product descriptions using AI. Sign up for $1/month trial period: shopify.com/torenberg
GiveWell: www.givewell.org/
Have you ever wondered where your donation could have the most impact? GiveWell has now spent over 15 years researching charitable organizations and only directs funding to the HIGHEST-IMPACT opportunities they’ve found in global health and poverty alleviation. Make informed decisions about high-impact giving. If you’ve never donated through GiveWell before, you can have your donation matched up to $100 before the end of the year, or as long as matching funds last. To claim your match, go to www.givewell.org/ and pick “Podcast” and enter "Upstream with Erik Torenberg" at checkout.
--
X / TWITTER:
@balajis (Balaji)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@upstream__pod
@turpentinemedia
--
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Episode Preview
(01:20) Why should we still care about the SBF story
(05:17) An uncensored Twitter exposed the crimes
(08:25) Why the system got an F on SBF
(11:30) Why the network succeeded over the state
(15:10) Sponsors: Shopify | GiveWell
(18:00) Actual crimes vs political crimes
(20:00) Did the press coverage force the indictment?
(22:00) Why didn’t the state move faster if all the pieces were there?
(29:30) Political fallout
(30:30) Sponsor: Oracle
(40:00) Progressive Muslim alliance
(42:40) Pro Middle Eastern tech
(47:50) Support for anti-Israel is where support for gay marriage was in 2000s
(48:20) TikTok is global public opinion minus India and China
(50:35) Should America intervene in the Middle East?
(52:30) The six regimes
(55:30) War with China
(57:00) Retribalization of society
Music licenses:
D9I8CP1LVGVDDSBY
OALBSMAI0AAWIZ3C

[@UpstreamwithErikTorenberg]

Thank you Balaji. Timestamps below. Check out our sponsors: Shopify: shopify.com/upstream for a $1/month trial period GiveWell: www.givewell.org/ for $100 donation matched pick “Podcast” and enter "Upstream with Erik Torenberg" at checkout. Oracle: oracle.com/upstream for a free test drive TIMESTAMPS: (01:20) Why should we still care about the SBF story (05:17) An uncensored Twitter exposed the crimes (08:25) Why the system got an F on SBF (11:30) Why the network succeeded over the state (15:10) Sponsors: Shopify | GiveWell (18:00) Actual crimes vs political crimes (20:00) Did the press coverage force the indictment? (22:00) Why didn’t the state move faster if all the pieces were there? (29:30) Political fallout (30:30) Sponsor: Oracle (40:00) Progressive Muslim alliance (42:40) Pro Middle Eastern tech (47:50) Support for anti-Israel is where support for gay marriage was in 2000s (48:20) TikTok is global public opinion minus India and China (50:35) Should America intervene in the Middle East? (52:30) The six regimes (55:30) War with China (57:00) Retribalization of society

[@theimproooooooover]

Another Balaji Banger! Thanks Erik!

[@stratmaster921]

One of the best podcasts I've seen in a while

[@fiatnomo2874]

Balaji for President.

[@cyber_spock]

I love Balaji and love what you've been doing with Samo as well. What would it take to get these two to talk. From his comments I know Samo is already aware of the network state, and I'd bet Balaji is aware of Samo. You're the perfect guy to host this conversation

[@InkaHacker]

Balaji is the GOAT

[@stratmaster921]

Let's not forget the massive payday for the bankruptcy lawyers

[@Finite8614]

what mouse is Balaji using? edit: looks like Microsoft Sculpt mouse (and keyboard)

[@johnnyirving1274]

10 minute ad?!

[@kboyle1127]

You are mispronouncing his name pretty brutally.

[@cj2103m]

Quack

[@zzzzz_zzzzzzzz]

Stop reposting. Some of us hang for new episodes. If you are that desperate for some filler, sling me a time slot and I'll fill it. Maybe. Can I interview Balaji?

[@negochristian1]

ya sure. "BTC 1 MiLiOn iN 6 MonThS 🤪" - set the record straight on that

[@hectorjelly]

2 hours of rapid paced conspiracy theories with zero pushback or discourse

[@theimproooooooover]

Which conspiracy theories?

[@stratmaster921]

Conspiracy theory? Are you lost or something?

[@petermitchell4523]

Comment your pushback

[@hectorjelly]

The first ten minutes is Balaji saying that the US government didn't uncover FTX's misdoing, crypto Twitter did. The justice system obviously moves slower than random people in the industry do on twitter, like this is such childish nonsense@@petermitchell4523

[@truthalone3402]

Any critical analysis, any real investigative journalism, and any divergence from the establishment narrative is now deemed conspiracy theory by npc conformist parrots.

[@AndreAnyone]

"okay"