Don't Worry About the Vase Podcast Monthly Roundup #40: March 2026
Mar 16, 2026
A rapid roundup of tech, policy, and culture topics. Discussions jump from AI drone risks and age verification privacy concerns to practical design and space use. Commerce and gaming get attention with takes on subscriptions, Slay the Spire 2, and Magic formats. Economic and legal threads include the Jones Act, H‑1B fee lessons, speech policy shifts, and insurance tradeoffs. Ends with lighter anecdotes and negotiation tips.
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H-1B Fee Hike Backfired And Reduced Revenues
- The $100,000 H-1B fee raised revenue from few but reduced overall fee revenue, illustrating the Laffer curve in practice.
- Zvi notes 85 people paid the fee (yielding $8.5M) while abroad applications fell by $28M, netting a loss.
UK Speech Prosecutions Have Escalated Dramatically
- UK speech prosecutions have surged to levels comparable to or exceeding Soviet-era rates, chilling expression and prompting exile considerations.
- Zvi cites arrest counts and says it's past the point he'd consider living in the UK.
Be Wary Of Moral Certainty In Philanthropy
- Effective altruism's moral certainty can be terrifying, but mainstream beliefs are often equally alarming; Thiel urges unsigning the Giving Pledge.
- Zvi acknowledges worries about charity capture yet defends the value of giving when done well.