Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning Steve Hsu: China's inevitable rise and America's confused response
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Jul 21, 2025 
In a thought-provoking conversation, Steve Hsu, a Caltech-trained physicist and professor at Michigan State, dives into China's rise as a global rival. He argues that the nation’s demographic realities and educational advancements will fuel its growth for decades. Hsu critiques American policies that hinder innovation, stressing the need for a realistic approach to US-China relations. They also explore AI's potential economic impacts and how cultural dynamics shape perceptions of power, all while challenging stereotypes about intelligence across regions.
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China's Rising Soft Power
- Soft power is malleable and can flip quickly as economies and cultural outputs change.
- Chinese tech and pop culture, such as TikTok, already influence global youth and could increase China's soft power.
Robotaxis in Shenzhen Daily Life
- A hedge fund manager in Shenzhen takes robotaxis to work daily, showing Chinese cities' adoption of autonomous vehicles.
- Several Chinese companies operate robotaxi services similar to Waymo in the U.S.
Cultural Fit Explains Leadership Gaps
- South Asian Americans succeed more in U.S. management and politics due to higher selectivity in immigration.
- East Asian styles of communication often clash with U.S. corporate culture favoring outspoken self-promotion.