Bitcoins, Brexit, and The Plight of The Disappearing Pundit

It’s another Super-Sized edition of the Ricochet Podcast (1 hour and 20 minutes!) and we’re all over the map and all over the news to bring you very best in podcast punditry. First up, the great George Gilder (his new book The Scandal of Money: Why Wall Street Recovers but the Economy Never Does is a must read) stops by to talk about why conservatives have such a hard time winning the economic debate in the court of public opinion and (perhaps related), the rise of digital currencies. Then, our pal Toby Young (listen to London Calling, the podcast he hosts with James Delingpole) stop by to discuss the looming Brexit and the new book he just edited Just Say No: The Spectator On The 1975 ReferendumShould Britain head for the economic exit? Let us know in the comments below. Finally, each we week take post from Ricochet’s  world renown Member Feed and give it some Ricochet Podcast love. This week’s featured post from DocJay (welcome back, sir) is titled What Will Happen to the Conservative Pundits When They Are Completely Unstuck and suffice to say it kindles a –shall we say– very passionate (but civil!) conversation. So come for the economics and stay for the punditry. You’ll be glad you did.

Music from this week’s episode:

I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times by The Beach Boys

The brand new opening sequence for the Ricochet Podcast was composed and produced by James Lileks.

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There are 47 comments.

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  1. TKC1101 Member
    TKC1101
    @

    James Lileks: I’m no stranger to New Yawk and its pleasure, TKC; that’s not it. Brash & iconoclastic are fine – we voted for Jesse Ventura, after all. The things about Trump I find repulsive could be found in someone from any place.

    We must be quite different, I find him annoying at best and compared to the parade of lawyers wer have regularly paraded before us as saints and saviors of the republic, far preferable to most of them.

    But then again, I grew up there. And BTW, Mr Ventura could not get elected assistant dogcatcher in New York. He talks far to slowly.

    • #31
  2. inmateprof Inactive
    inmateprof
    @inmateprof

    Mr. Dart:

    Douglas:

    inmateprof:Rob and Peter, the bathroom issue is not a “loser” issue. I’m in North Carolina, Pat McCrory was losing by 9-10% in polls for his re-election for governor six weeks ago. Since the “bathroom law” he is now up five. Something to think about.

    In Rob’s defense, I think what he means is “we always end up losing these social fights anyway”, and that’s mainly because our lords and masters in the court system impose it on us. But the bathroom thing does seem to have sparked an awakening in non-millenials who were on the fence about such stuff. A guy in a dress that wants to pee next to your daughter seems to be a bridge too far for most Americans. “You have to believe he’s a woman” doesn’t seem to be selling.

    The tide turned in NC when the discussion moved from bathrooms to the girls’ shower at the local public high school.

    McCrory, the Republican Mayor of Democrat-majority Charlotte for 14 straight years, knows North Carolina politics and knew HB2 would likely benefit him not harm him.

    This wasn’t the first podcast on Ricochet to foul up the HB2 story. There was a GLoP one a few weeks ago that was far worse on the timeline and basic facts of the issue.

    That’s right.  The LGBT community was louder and had momentum at first, but regular folk in NC are not for this.  At first, I wasn’t for the law either.  I’m a federalist, and I felt that if Charlotte wanted to do something stupid like this, the state shouldn’t step in.  However, when the talk shifted to locker rooms and showers, and then Obama sending a directive to schools, I changed my tune.

    • #32
  3. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    TKC1101: I find him annoying at best and compared to the parade of lawyers wer have regularly paraded before us as saints and saviors of the republic, far preferable to most of them.

    In a way, I agree; the parade of lawyers seem to believe we are stupid enough to believe their lies, and Trump understands that lies are a form of entertainment. Everyone’s in on the joke.

    • #33
  4. Matt Bartle Member
    Matt Bartle
    @MattBartle

    I was surprised by the vehement exchange between Rob and Peter – we don’t see that much. But Rob clearly had the better argument, and I’m not sure why Peter couldn’t see it.

    Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson and others do not argue on behalf of a political party, or particular politicians. They argue on behalf of ideas and policies. Whoever the candidates are, whoever wins the elections, they will continue to promote those ideas. What’s so hard to understand about that?

    • #34
  5. TKC1101 Member
    TKC1101
    @

    James Lileks: In a way, I agree; the parade of lawyers seem to believe we are stupid enough to believe their lies, and Trump understands that lies are a form of entertainment. Everyone’s in on the joke.

    I am glad someone understands that.  Why get into politics to be an honest man? It’s like becoming a ditch digger without getting your hands dirty.

    • #35
  6. EJHill Podcaster
    EJHill
    @EJHill

    TKC1101: Why get into politics to be an honest man?

    Some have. General Eisenhower comes to mind.

    • #36
  7. TKC1101 Member
    TKC1101
    @

    EJHill: Some have. General Eisenhower comes to mind.

    Eisenhower clearly understood the necessity of deception to realize your goals.

    • #37
  8. Owen Findy Inactive
    Owen Findy
    @OwenFindy

    Rob, don’t stop interrupting James, and I assume it’s a bit you guys either worked out or stumbled into, but I gotta tell ya, it is sometimes mickle irritating.  But, I think I’m not annoyed on my own account, it’s more as though I’m vexed on James’ behalf.

    But, it’s a good bit, and, regardless, I look forward to, and gets laughs from it.

    So, youse guys keep it up.

    • #38
  9. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    No one is talking about Gilder. Trust me, it’s the whole enchilada. I wrote about it here.

    Please get Charles Ortel and Bill Frezza on the Flagship podcast about this.

    Rep. Tom Emmer and Rep. Steve Scalese are all over it. They are the only ones.

    Also, Kudlow doesn’t really believe in harder money.

    • #39
  10. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    This is the other aspect. Big Finance.

    • #40
  11. DJ EJ Member
    DJ EJ
    @DJEJ

    It’s been part of the opening sequence for a few episodes now, but that maniacal Hillary laughter is really disturbing. It makes me cringe every time I hear it. If she wins, we’ll have to hear that cackle for at least four years. God forbid, but if that happens, could we excise/exorcise the nails on the chalkboard cachinnation from the opening sequence?

    • #41
  12. Jackson Fall Member
    Jackson Fall
    @

    Stephen Dawson:Rob, you should check in on Bitcoin value. Contra your remarks, their price has been on an upwards trend in recent months, roughly doubling since the middle of last year to around $US530-$US540 at the moment.

    The Mt Gox fiasco was interesting and I factored it into my decision to purchase a small number, primarily as a positive. If such a thing didn’t bring down the whole system, it looks like it might be around to stay.

    Oh, don’t forget that the next halving event — the number of new bitcoins to be issued will reduce from ~8% to ~4% per year — is next month.

    Currently, Bitcoin is trading at around $580, up roughly 30% from 2 weeks ago.  We’re currently at a 20 month high with $600 in sight. That coupled with the halvening in July is making it look like this might keep the uptrend through the summer. September will be interesting to see if we correct and rest for a while or if it spikes when the mining reward is slashed.

    • #42
  13. Stephen Dawson Inactive
    Stephen Dawson
    @StephenDawson

    The thing is, I suppose, with a foreseeable event the extent to which it has already been priced in. I’d like to tell myself that the uptrend will continue, but I think I’m pretty clueless overall about it.

    It is kind of fun watching it. I’ve mentally written off my modest investment, so if it crashes to zero, not too much trauma. Meanwhile, I have an incentive to watch what happens. It’s still such a small market. In the last hour or so in trading of about 12,000 bitcoins — less than 0.1% of the total on issue — the price dropped by $US10.

    • #43
  14. Salvatore Padula Inactive
    Salvatore Padula
    @SalvatorePadula

    Jackson Fall:

    Stephen Dawson:Rob, you should check in on Bitcoin value. Contra your remarks, their price has been on an upwards trend in recent months, roughly doubling since the middle of last year to around $US530-$US540 at the moment.

    The Mt Gox fiasco was interesting and I factored it into my decision to purchase a small number, primarily as a positive. If such a thing didn’t bring down the whole system, it looks like it might be around to stay.

    Oh, don’t forget that the next halving event — the number of new bitcoins to be issued will reduce from ~8% to ~4% per year — is next month.

    Currently, Bitcoin is trading at around $580, up roughly 30% from 2 weeks ago. We’re currently at a 20 month high with $600 in sight. That coupled with the halvening in July is making it look like this might keep the uptrend through the summer. September will be interesting to see if we correct and rest for a while or if it spikes when the mining reward is slashed.

    I don’t have stron opinions on Bitcoin one way or another. I had understood its goal to be an alternative currency. If that’s the case, having a stable price would seem to be more important than what that particular price is at the moment. A 30% appreciation in two weeks would seem to me to be an argument against Bitcoin as an attractive currency.

    • #44
  15. Wolfsheim Member
    Wolfsheim
    @Wolfsheim

    I was pleased to hear the publicity given The Spectator, of which I have long been a subscribing reader. A recent issue has a particularly telling cover, with a story by Christopher Buckley: http://www.spectator.co.uk/author/christopherbuckley/

    • #45
  16. Jackson Fall Member
    Jackson Fall
    @

    Salvatore Padula: A 30% appreciation in two weeks would seem to me to be an argument against Bitcoin as an attractive currency.

    Update: trading over $700 usd. TO THE MOON!

    • #46
  17. Stephen Dawson Inactive
    Stephen Dawson
    @StephenDawson

    Jackson Fall:

    Salvatore Padula: A 30% appreciation in two weeks would seem to me to be an argument against Bitcoin as an attractive currency.

    Update: trading over $700 usd. TO THE MOON!

    Indeed. Actually, as a main stream currency it has a long way to go. I’d be surprised if it ever got there since if it started to threaten the power of the central banks, I guess they’d gang up on it. For the time being, with a total market capitalisation at the moment of around $10 or $11 billion, and several good sized chunks held by a number of individuals, it’s going to remain volatile.

    But it is used for currency purposes in some contexts. Particularly in Argentina, where many people are properly distrustful of their government’s currency shenanigans.

    • #47
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