In this episode of Econ 102, we’re republishing a conversation between Noah Smith and Derek Thompson recorded live on Substack in June. They explore Derek’s shift from The Atlantic to Substack and unpack the “abundance agenda” — a vision for revitalizing American politics through better housing, energy, and innovation policy. Their wide-ranging conversation touches on economic reform, trendspotting, and the evolving media landscape.
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SEND US YOUR Q’s FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: [email protected]
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FOLLOW ON X:
@noahpinion
@DKThomp
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
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RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:
Derek Thompson: https://www.derekthompson.org/
Abundance: https://www.amazon.com/Abundance-Progress-Takes-Ezra-Klein/dp/1668023482
Paul Krugman: https://paulkrugman.substack.com/
Matt Yglesias: https://www.slowboring.com/
Kyla Scanlan: https://kyla.substack.com/
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:42) Derek Thompson’s move to Substack
(01:37) Reflecting on The Atlantic and writing
(05:16) Trend spotting and writing style
(12:26) The Abundance agenda
(17:55) Sponsors: Shopify | Netsuites
(21:07) Political discourse and analysis
(24:08) Housing policy and economic cycles
(27:11) Challenges in housing and inflation
(35:19) Critiques and future discussions
(36:03) Independent heroes and glory in battle
(36:24) Sponsor: Adquick
(37:20) Critique of abundance and degrowth
(41:42) Trump’s scarcity mindset
(43:52) Second critique of abundance
(49:29) Proposals for a new new deal
(59:06) Healthcare reform ideas
(01:07:34) Wrap Read More
