The World feels uncertain right now as countries like China and Russia assert their power, the cost of living soars and a recession feels imminent. Can understanding the cycles of world power help alleviate this feeling of uncertainty? How can the idea of ‘being ready’ get you through the bad times? In this episode Carter and Mo discuss if China will become a dominant world power, the problem with zero sum games and maintaining discipline in uncertain times.

• Carter’s ability to understand people even when it’s difficult to hear what they’re say (00:00)

• Letting go of the guilt of not finishing books (03:12)

• Is China going to be the next superpower? (08:21)

• Watching Shanghai in lockdown (14:14)

• Is manufacturing going to shift from China to the USA? (16:05)

• How countries go from being poor to being successful and what happens next (18:47)

• Historically there are cycles that the world goes through (24:36)

• What determines who is running the world (28:04)

• Things the CIA have done to influence World governments (28:47)

• The problem with zero sum games (30:51)

• Money and power have downsides (34:41)

• Start reading history (42:00)

• Don’t try to figure out something you have no control over (45:40)

• Finding opportunities in uncertain times (47:13)

• In good and bad times you need to maintain the discipline (50:08)

• You have to be ready for opportunity (51:18)

Book: Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed and Fail by Ray Dalio

Video: Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio

Red Roulette: An Insider’s Story of Wealth, Power, Corruption, and Vengeance in Today’s China by Desmond Shum