Let's Know Things
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Let's Know Things
A calm, non-shouty, non-polemical, weekly news analysis podcast for folks of all stripes and leanings who want to know more about what's happening in the world around them. Hosted by analytic journalist Colin Wright since 2016. letsknowthings.substack.com
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524 эпизод
Cholesterol Therapies
This week we talk about LDL, HDL, and cardiovascular issues.
We also discuss one-time therapies, statins, and pharmaceutical economics.
Re...
SpaceX IPO
This week we talk about initial public offerings, Anthropic, and investment flywheels.
We also discuss AI, financial entanglements, and backstop...
Jones Act Waiver
This week we talk about the Merchant Marine Act, trade routes, and incentives.
We also discuss Wesley Jones, foreign competition, and artificial...
2026 DRC Ebola Outbreak
This week we talk about the Democratic Republic of the Congo, malaria, and healthcare infrastructure.
We also discuss militants, Uganda, and the...
Super El Niño
This week we talk about oceanic surface temperatures, trade winds, and global climate change.
We also discuss the Polar Jet Stream, hurricanes,...
2026 UK Local Elections
This week we talk about Keir Starmer, Labour, and the Reform UK party.
We also discuss Tories, the Lib Dems, and two-party systems.
Recomm...
Child Mortality
This week we talk about industrialization, antibiotics, and child mortality rates.
We also discuss corruption, instability, and progress.
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Iran War Costs
This week we talk about the Strait of Hormuz, oil, and Russia.
We also discuss Patriot missiles, expensive weapons, and peer rivals.
Recom...
2026 Hungarian Election
This week we talk about Orbán, Hungary, and reformers.
We also discuss Fidesz, Tisza, and illiberalism.
Recommended Book: I’m Starting to...
Mythos
This week we talk about Project Glasswing, Anthropic, and Q Day.
We also discuss exploit markets, vulnerabilities, and zero days.
Recommen...
US Router Ban
This week we talk about modems, WiFi, and kinda sorta bribes.
We also discuss Huawei, government subsidies, and the FCC.
Recommended Book:...
Ukraine and Iran
This week we talk about cheap drones, energy resources, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
We also discuss the Strait of Hormuz, the war in Iran,...
Cuban Oil Blockade
This week we talk about the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and decapitation attacks.
We also discuss Venezuela, Iran, and the Platt Amendme...
Better Batteries
This week we talk about BYD, Tesla, and the Blade Battery 2.0.
We also discuss EVs, internal-combustion engines, and autonomous vehicles.
...
2026 Iran War
This week we talk about Khamenei, Trump, and Netanyahu.
We also discuss Venezuela, Cuba, and cartels.
Recommended Book: Plagues upon the E...
Killer Robots and Mass Surveillance
This week we talk about Anthropic, the Department of Defense, and OpenAI.
We also discuss red lines, contracts, and lethal autonomous systems.
Tariff Ruling
This week we talk about Trump’s tariffs, the Supreme Court, and negotiating leverage.
We also discuss trade wars, Greenland, and the IEEPA.
Ring and Flock
This week we talk about mass surveillance, smart doorbells, and the Patriot Stack.
We also discuss Amazon, Alexa, and the Super Bowl.
Reco...
Grok's Scandals
This week we talk about OpenAI, nudify apps, and CSAM.
We also discuss Elon Musk, SpaceX, and humanistic technology.
Recommended Book: Who...
Mother of All Deals
This week we talk about the European Union, India, and tariffs.
We also discuss trade barriers, free trade, and dumping.
Recommended Book:...
TikTok Deal
This week we talk about social networks, propaganda, and Oracle.
We also discuss foreign adversaries, ByteDance, and X.
Recommended Book:...
Venezuelan Protests
This week we talk about war, inflation, and currency devaluation.
We also discuss tyrants, police violence, and social media threats.
Reco...
Operation Absolute Resolve
This week we talk about Venezuela, Maduro, and international law.
We also discuss sour crude, extrajudicial killings, and Greenland.
Recom...
Sports Betting
This week we talk about prediction markets, incentives, and gambling addiction.
We also discuss insider trading, spot-fixing, and Gatorade.
Data Center Politics
This week we talk about energy consumption, pollution, and bipartisan issues.
We also discuss local politics, data center costs, and the Magnifi...
Chip Exports
This week we talk about NVIDIA, AI companies, and the US economy.
We also discuss the US-China chip-gap, mixed-use technologies, and export bans...
Digital Asset Markets
This week we talk about in-game skins, investment portfolios, and Counter-Strike 2.
We also discuss ebooks, Steam, and digital licenses.
R...
Climate Risk
This week we talk about floods, wildfires, and reinsurance companies.
We also discuss the COP meetings, government capture, and air pollution.
Thorium Reactors
This week we talk about radioactive waste, neutrons, and burn while breeding cycles.
We also discuss dry casks, radioactive decay, and uranium.<...
Extrajudicial Killing
This week we talk about Venezuela, casus belli, and drug smuggling.
We also discuss oil reserves, Maduro, and Machado.
Recommended Book: D...
Nitazenes
This week we talk about OxyContin, opium, and the British East India Company.
We also discuss isotonitazene, fentanyl, and Perdue.
Recomme...
Supersonic Flight
This week we talk about Mach 1, the Bell X-1, and the Concorde.
We also discuss the X-59, the Tu-144, and Boom Supersonic.
Recommended Boo...
Workplace Automation
This week we talk about robots, call center workers, and convenience stores.
We also discuss investors, chatbots, and job markets.
Recomme...
Circular Finance
This week we talk about entanglements, monopolies, and illusory money.
We also discuss electrification, LLMs, and data centers.
Recommende...
Tariff Leverage
This week we talk about trade wars, TACO theory, and Chinese imports.
We also discuss negotiation, protectionism, and threat spirals.
Reco...
Gamewashing
This week we talk about Electronic Arts, 3DO, and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
We also discuss Jared Kushner, leveraged buyouts, an...
NATO and Russia
This week we talk about Article 4, big sticks, and spheres of influence.
We also discuss Moldova, super powers, and new fronts.
Recommende...
Nepal Gen Z Protests
This week we talk about corruption, influencers, and pro-monarchy protests.
We also discuss Nepalese modern history, Gen Z, and kings.
Rec...
GENIUS Act
This week we talk about stablecoins, crypto assets, and conflicts of interest.
We also discuss the crypto industry, political contributions, and...
Salt Typhoon
This week we talk about cyberespionage, China, and asymmetrical leverage.
We also discuss political firings, hardware infiltration, and Five Eye...