Episode 315: The Common Good, Pornography, Gambling, and You

The internet and social media were aghast over the weekend as Anthropic founder and CEO Dario Amodei penned a “Jerry Maguire” screed about the AI labs “slowing down” due to the risks of “losing control” and giving way to “bioterrorism” and “serious economic disruption” … Other AI lab heads from Sam Altman to Elon Musk chimed in with agreement. You may read his letter as a call for prudent, selfless moderation, or you may read his call as rent-seeking, cronyist, "pull the ladder up" corporatism at its worst. Today, we will unpack it all.Show Notes:Dario Amodei's LetterDavid Sacks' Response  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vice President JD Vance and a few other folks on the right beat the drum this weekend for a new bill to pay married families with one stay-at-home spouse based on the number of kids they have. Some people on the right defend the bill as “pro-family.” Others on the right lambaste it for being “pro-welfare state.” Some claim it merely redirects funds already in circulation. Others claim it represents a new entitlement altogether and that the bill is a classic case of “right-wing dressing” on top of a “left-wing salad.” In today’s Capital Record, David calls a spade a spade – which is to say, he takes this awful anti-family, pro-welfare, statist idea to the woodshed.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A “consultant” was on TV last week in a panic over the cost of watching NFL games now, not to mention the utter horror of finding out which streaming network your game might be on. The greed and debauchery of “big football” are on full display as far as many are concerned, but one group stands out as not being concerned at all: those who actually watch the NFL.  And there is something else being missed when people complain about the cost of watching the NFL, something even more obvious than the fact that NFL fans love it. Listen to today’s Capital Record for a test case in basic economics that even a punter could understand.Show Notes: Fox Business Video Clip Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It was announced over the weekend that the United States is taking a 35 percent stake in a private energy company connected to Venezuelan oil rights. Is this “U.S. government in private business” thing getting out of control, or is the United States government a natural business partner in the Venezuelan oil production market? In today’s Capital Record, David will unpack the good, bad, and ugly of this deal, and ask us if our first principles endorse these public-private partnerships, or if they should cause us concern. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

David is joined by Stephanie Slade, author of the brand new book, Fusionism, and a prolific writer and public thinker around the fusion of liberty and virtue. The discussion is historical and philosophical, and represents the topic most foundational to the founder’s vision of this great republic. Not to be missed! Show Notes: Stephanie Slade’s new book, Fusionism: Liberty, Virtue, and the Future of the American Right Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Secretary Bessent announced that the Treasury Department was going to intervene in the bond market last week because “market fundamentals were not working.”  In today’s Capital Record, David explains what was done, why it was done, what to expect, and most of all, why it is so, so sad to see this happening. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Social media was ablaze over the weekend as Vice President Vance continued his streak of outrageous economic statements that quickly allowed defenders of markets to pounce (yours truly included), and allowed his sycophantic defenders to rush to his defense (generally by claiming he didn’t mean what he said he meant). The fact of the matter is, we have a problem with what VP Vance is saying about economic matters, and if he ever wants to be president, he has a problem, too. But the biggest problem is not political. For if we are to take seriously the threat of the DSA and other leftist leanings into progressive economic philosophy, the best option is a choice, not an echo -- let alone an incoherent echo.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

David is joined today by Christian theologian, Dr. Andrew Walker, to discuss the recent flare-up of interest in the “common good.” They will evaluate what first principles underlie the current debate, where there is common ground, and how we can advance the conversation to a place that honors both liberty and virtue. You will be shocked to hear that the conversation will delve into federalism, limiting principles, the need for specificity, and yes, a hierarchy of loves. Few Capital Record episodes scratch all the itches of what we care about like this one! Show notes:Andrew Walker’s Daily Wire articleDavid’s National Review article Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’ll take on the economic illiteracy of Mamdani grocery stores in a future podcast, but first let’s take on his first policy case of incomprehensible duncery: His public posture on rent control and rent stabilization.  This is an easy topic to address even in a 2026 Mamdani context, because nothing has changed since the early mix of rent stabilization with reality – it doesn’t work, and the reasons why are unbelievably predictable. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Markets exist to accommodate commercial transactions, and these commercial transactions represent a major sphere of human existence. We work, produce, and exchange as a vital part of our human endeavor, and when these commercial transactions are not distorted, perverted, and suffocated by extrinsic forces, the testimony of history is that they do wonders toward building a more prosperous society and a higher standard of living. But they don’t meet all human needs, because they are not designed to. It is an extreme category error to wonder how humans are becoming lonelier even in a free market society.  On today’s Capital Record, David suggests that many things markets have produced enhance our capacity for friendship, social interaction, and human togetherness, but that many other things could give us excuse to minimize these things, generally to our own detriment. The solution to this whole thing may surprise you, but it will be presented on today’s Capital Record. Show Notes:  "The Economics of Friendship"   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.