Conversations with Tyler

Paul Gillingham, Northwestern historian of Mexico and author of Mexico: A 500-Year History, explores why Mexico stayed united after independence. He gets into Yucatán’s surprising safety, Oaxaca’s political magic, Guerrero’s long violence, Mexico’s unusual freedom from military coups, and why new judicial reforms could reshape the country.

Harvey Mansfield, veteran political philosopher and longtime Harvard professor, dives into Machiavelli’s invention of “effectual truth,” conspiracies and secrecy in politics, and why modernity may be impossible to reverse. He also touches on Trump as a Shakespearean figure, Straussian reading and irony, Churchill’s democratic dignity, and the eclipse of manliness.

Henry Oliver, literary critic and author of Second Act, explores Shakespeare's Measure for Measure and its tangled moral politics. He traces links across English letters, praises Swift’s practical intelligence, and explains why many ads fail. They also debate late blooming, Austen’s debt to Adam Smith, and which works in English are over- and underrated.

Joe Studwell, journalist and author of How Asia Works and How Africa Works, brings a sharp, policy-focused perspective. He tackles population density, manufacturing prospects, state versus farmer-led infrastructure, ports and special economic zones, human capital and health gains, and why industrial policy succeeded in East Asia but faltered elsewhere. Short, incisive takes on where African and Asian development may head next.

Andrew Ross Sorkin, award‑winning financial journalist and DealBook founder, discusses 1929, leverage, and banking rules. He and Tyler debate whether 1929 prices were justified. They unpack margin calls, Fed choices, Glass‑Steagall origins, bank consolidation, narrow banking and stablecoins, retail access to private funds, and how history shapes modern regulation.

Diarmaid MacCulloch, a renowned historian of Christianity and Emeritus Professor at Oxford, shares insights on the complex relationship between Christianity and sex. He discusses the uneven correlation of monotheism and monogamy, challenges common narratives about gender equality in early Christianity, and critiques Michel Foucault's views on sexuality. MacCulloch also delves into the significance of Mary in both Christianity and Islam, the role of the Eucharist in societal change, and whether hell is necessary for Christianity's survival. His historical lens aims to unsettle settled facts for a deeper understanding.

Brendan Foody, founder and CEO of Mercor, discusses his groundbreaking AI marketplace that hires experts from various fields, including poets earning $150 an hour. He emphasizes the importance of rubrics over raw data for training AI, predicting that knowledge work will shift towards creating reinforcement learning environments. Brendan shares lessons from his early donut venture and explores how dyslexia can foster unique entrepreneurial strengths. He also highlights the challenges of hiring and the need for cultural empathy in a global workforce. Fascinating insights abound!

This year-in-review highlights fascinating single-subject deep dives that captivated listeners. AI's unexpected impact on production processes is discussed, along with Tyler's reflections on notable guests and the lost Magnus Carlsen episode. Tyler shares his quirky hotel selection criteria and his unique emotional profile, noting his absence of uncontrollable laughter. The conversation also touches on the importance of peer-reviewed literature in the AI-risk dialogue and Tyler’s thoughts on 2015 pop culture. Finally, enjoy a dispatch from Muscat, praising its beauty and history!

Alison Gopnik, a psychology and philosophy professor at UC Berkeley, explores how children think like scientists, running experiments to learn about the world. She challenges conventional views on nature versus nurture, suggesting a complex interplay instead. Gopnik discusses the role of AI as a cultural tool rather than true intelligence, and how it can transform education. She also delves into children's consciousness, the effects of social context on development, and the importance of caregiving. Prepare for a mind-expanding discussion on childhood learning!

Gaurav Kapadia, an investor and founder of XN, provides insight into his unique investment philosophy focused on long-term, concentrated bets. He discusses the surprising growth of Queens without new infrastructure and critiques NYC's political identity, while sharing thoughts on underrated boroughs and the quirkiest parts of the city. Gaurav connects his art collecting to sharper investment judgment, highlights influential contemporary artists, and foresees AI's escalating role in both investing and enhancing museum experiences.