State swing: recognising Palestine
Aug 01, 2025•29 min
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Summary
This episode explores the diplomatic implications of Canada, the UK, and France's announcements to recognize a Palestinian state, debating the timing and effectiveness of such leverage on Israel. It then shifts to an economic discussion, examining Silicon Valley's optimistic projections of explosive growth driven by superintelligent AI and contrasting it with historical economic trends. Finally, it pays tribute to the late Tom Lehrer, celebrating his unique blend of mathematical precision and biting satirical song, which fearlessly skewered politics and society.Episode description
The aims of France, Britain and Canada in recognising a Palestinian state are laudable—but now is not the time to deploy what little leverage they have. AI optimists reckon the era of superintelligence will bring about explosive growth; we ask what that world would look like. And remembering Tom Lehrer, whose rare gift for satirical song skewered anything and anyone.
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