Liberty's Highlights

I recruited my friends Tinkered Thinking (✍️📚 author of White Mirror & The Lucilius Parables) and Jameson Olsen (🎧 host of Becoming the Main Character) to do a *deep* dive on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, HBO's adaptation of George R.R. Martin's 1998 novella The Hedge Knight.🚨 If you haven’t seen the show, bookmark this and come back. Seriously. This one’s worth avoiding spoilers and going in blind. 🚨I was totally charmed by this series. The writing, the acting, the music, the cinematography, the sets, and the costumes. It all feels more tactile and real than most of what's on TV right now. And here's the thing: after we watched it, we all read the novella, and we all agree the show might actually be better. That almost never happens with adaptations.In this pod, we go episode by episode, compare the novella to the show, and argue about what we want from season two. Along the way, we get into trailers that ruin movies, what makes a great villain entrance (hint: it involves a horse 🐴), the philosophy of praxis, David Goggins taking souls, and why Dunk might be one of the most lovable protagonists on television right now, despite being “thick as a castle wall.”Some of the rabbit holes we go down:Why narrow scope is this show’s superpower, and why more IPs should tell bite-sized stories instead of promising the world and failing to deliver it.The Die Hard approach to the final fight: he doesn’t win because he’s better, he wins because he won’t stay down."Are there no true knights among you?" The gap between the title and the oath. ⚔️🛡️👑Why Aerion knows every loophole. Showing up to a bar fight with a few Navy SEALs.Everything the show added to the novella (Lyonel! Flea Bottom! the goose eggs!) and why most of the additions are improvements 📙Dunk thinks like a child, Egg thinks like an adult. The inversion is the point.Where could Egg’s arc go from here? Can the show actually make us hate him? (Tinkered has a theory about the series finale that I kind of want him to write.)Word of the day: praxis. Lesson of the day: “Get up.” (Maybe it’s a whole philosophy 🤔) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.libertyrpf.com/subscribe

David Kim (Scuttleblurb), an independent equity researcher and paid-newsletter author, reflects on running a long-form research business and the tactics that revived his work. He discusses 2025’s lopsided market outcomes, AI’s rotation into SaaS and data providers, forensic breakdowns like Shift4’s organic-growth math, blurring industry moats, and the risks and rewards of using AI in research.

A deep dive through the giant tech companies that dominate markets today. They trace the rise of compute and Nvidia's pivotal role. They debate financing strategies, hardware bets, and the tangled AI partnerships shaping outcomes. Geopolitics and supply chains around TSMC get spotlighted. Quick takes on leadership and which company they'd hold for decades round out the conversation.

Tinkered Thinking, author of the interconnected sci-fi collection White Mirror, and Dylan O'Sullivan, its editor, dive deep into storytelling. They explore how a tweet sparked 31 captivating tales, the interplay between technology and humanity, and ways to reclaim childlike wonder amidst modern challenges. With insights on writing craft, AI's role in relationships, and simulation theory, the pair presents a unique vision of optimism in sci-fi. Expect discussions on literary structure, the future of storytelling, and hidden puzzles within their imaginative work.

David Kim, an investment researcher and founder of Scuttleblurb, shares insights from his impressive journey in investment research. He reflects on Scuttleblurb's recent growth and the evolving dynamics of subscription services. The conversation also dives into the pitfalls of retail investing, emphasizing the need for analytical skills over mimicry. Kim discusses the shift to AI tools in research methodologies and highlights ongoing subscriber trends while maintaining content authenticity. Lastly, they explore market predictions and acquisition strategies amidst uncertainties.

Mark Nelson, an energy policy expert and nuclear power advocate, returns to discuss the implications of the new U.S. administration on energy. He dives into Chris Wright's potential impact as Secretary of Energy, especially in nuclear and fossil fuel sectors. The conversation highlights the synergy between nuclear power and electric vehicles, the future of LNG exports, and challenges facing nuclear initiatives. Nelson emphasizes the need for renewed investment in gigawatt-scale nuclear projects, underscoring why it’s time to build again to meet future energy demands.

🚨 Note: The first part of the podcast is spoiler-free. The spoilers only start after a warning 🚨What happens when six film enthusiasts dissect Christopher Nolan's most ambitious and polarizing puzzle box? 🧩We dive deep into TENET — exploring and deconstructing the film's twisted timeline, inverted action sequences, and reality-bending concepts. 🕰️ 🧠🌀What worked? What didn’t? Do we love it, hate it, or love/hate it?Our distinguished panel of inverted time-travelers assembled to discuss this crazy film is composed of:* 🗣️ Jim O’Shaughnessy* 🗣️ Jack Connor* 🗣️ Tinkered Thinking* 🗣️ Ed William* 🗣️ Dylan O’SullivanAlong the way, we venture into Nolan's other films and rank our faovrites, and somehow end up in Deadwood territory 🤠 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.libertyrpf.com/subscribe

Mark Nelson is back! (our first conversation is here)We discussed how AI's massive power needs are reshaping energy policy in unexpected ways.For years, Big Tech claimed to run on '100% renewable energy' while quietly relying on nuclear and fossil fuels. But now, as companies race to build massive AI computing centers requiring gigawatts of reliable 24/7 power, that pretense is crumbling. Starting with Microsoft's Three Mile Island deal for the revival of a shutdown nuclear plant, we explore how Silicon Valley's desperate hunt for steady power is forcing an energy policy reset across the industry and how that may impact anti-nuclear NGOs and policymakers everywhere.We dive into Germany's nuclear situation, Taiwan's power challenges, and how the world's richest companies went from being part of the problem to potentially part of the solution. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.libertyrpf.com/subscribe

Alex Petkas, a passionate explorer of Roman and Greek antiquity, shares his insights on the timeless lessons from these ancient civilizations. He delves into the lives of legendary figures like Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, revealing their relevance to modern leadership. The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling in understanding history and discusses the innovative Vesuvius challenge aimed at uncovering lost texts. Petkas also emphasizes how ancient wisdom can inspire personal and societal growth today.

MBI, a semiconductor industry expert, returns to share insight into one of tech's greatest achievements. He discusses the significance of TSMC and Texas Instruments, revealing their roles in shaping the market. MBI explores complex pricing strategies and the competitive landscape, highlighting the rise of companies like Nvidia. The conversation touches on geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains, the evolution of semiconductors, and the rise of firms designing their own chips. Listeners are encouraged to dive deeper into the 'magic sand' that drives technological innovation.