builders vs. prigs (ft. arjun ramani)

Great Man books, growth gospel, the state of EA

Dear reader, Welcome to episode one of my new podcast: discourse brunch. You can watch it by clicking above, the Substack app; or add it to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Pocket Casts.1 I spent a long time debating whether to do a podcast. Editing seemed like a lot of work, and posting video of myself makes me feel intense shame.2 But I wanted an excuse to talk with friends who know more than me and embody alternate perspectives on the topics I write about. Once I finished recording today’s episode with my friend Arjun Ramani, I was certain this was the right choice. He’s a fellow…

related reading

• Stripe Press — Ideas for progresspress.stripe.com
• 2025 letter | Dan Wangdanwang.co
• Tech Strikes Back - The New Atlantisthenewatlantis.com
• Child’s Play, by Sam Krissharpers.org
• The Renaissance of Rise and Grindinvesting1012dot0.substack.com
• Paul Graham on Ambition, Art, and Evaluating Talent (Ep. 186) | Conversations with Tylerconversationswithtyler.com
• Noah Smith's Review of Power and Progress is Very, Very Badprogrammablemutter.com
• Noah Smith's Review of Power and Progress is Very, Very Badprogrammablemutter.com
• “Build What’s Fundable” - by Kyle Harrison - Investing 101investing101.substack.com
• God Complex | Vanity Fair | APRIL 2025archive.vanityfair.com
• A guide to the AI tribes - by Michel Justen - What is thismicheljusten.substack.com
• Sam Altman on Loving Community, Hating Coworking, and the Hunt for Talent (Ep. 61 - Live in SF) | Conversations with Tylerconversationswithtyler.com