E1: Live players: Sam Altman, Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, George Soros

In the inaugural episode of the 'Live Players' podcast, Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg dive deep into the concept of a 'live player', a term coined by Samo. He explains a 'live player' as a person who steps away from societal norms, improvises and thinks from first principles, much like successful individuals such as Arnold Schwarzenegger. He emphasizes the importance of live players in driving societal transformation and preventing societal stagnation. They also compare and contrast three prominent live players: Peter Thiel, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk, and discuss their impacts, motivations, and differing views on societal change. Lastly, they evaluate philanthropists like George Soros, Bill Gates, and the Kochs, who transitioned from successful businessmen to major influencers in societal causes.

Live Players is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.co

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LINKS:

Samo’s Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/

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X / TWITTER:

@eriktorenberg

@samoburja

@turpentinemedia

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:08 Understanding the Concept of 'Live Players'

00:22 The Role of Conventions in Society

01:33 The Rarity of 'Live Players' and Their Impact

01:52 The Journey of Arnold Schwarzenegger: A Live Player

03:21 Background of the Podcast Host

04:01 The Importance of Historical Knowledge

06:55 The Role of Bismarck Analysis

08:54 Reflections on Energy Transition

13:47 Discussion on Sam Altman and OpenAI

20:56 Comparing Live Players: Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and Peter Thiel

26:30 Understanding Different Perspectives on Capitalism

27:14 The Role of Live Players in Society

28:37 The Importance of Live Players in Innovation and Change

31:17 The Concept of a Live Players Academy

36:53 The Evolution of Live Players Over Time

41:20 The Transition from Capitalism to Philanthropy

49:31 The Paradox of Open Society Advocates

52:51 Wrapping Up the Discussion on Live Players

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