All-In E42: China's tech crackdown, CRISPR breakthrough, practical climate change solutions & more

China's Tech Crackdown

• Discussed major crackdown on Chinese tech companies including Didi being pulled from app stores and educational companies being forced to operate as non-profits
• Chamath explained that China is asserting control over data and wealth creation, signaling potential nationalization of tech sector
• Chinese tech moguls being reined in, with Jack Ma's disappearance cited as an example
• Discussion of how this affects Western investment in China, with increased political risk now required in valuation models

CRISPR Breakthrough

• Major breakthrough with 65-year-old patient Patrick Daugherty receiving successful CRISPR gene editing treatment
• First case of directly infusing gene editor into patients to find target cells
• Implications for treating many other diseases beyond this specific case
• The hosts discussed how this represents the "platformization" of biological tools, similar to how AWS enabled software development

Climate Change Solutions

• Detailed discussion of market-based approaches vs government mandates
• Innovation in iron-based batteries by Form Energy highlighted as promising development
• David Sacks argued for carbon trading markets to incentivize negative emissions technologies
• Chamath discussed potential carbon tariffs as policy solution
• Agreement that innovation and market incentives, not consumption reduction, is key to solving climate challenges

Additional Topics

• Update on COVID-19 delta variant and vaccine mandates
• Discussion of Danny Meyer requiring vaccines at his restaurants
• Robinhood IPO and implications for retail investing
• Personal anecdote about a poker game during a trip to Harvard Business School

The episode showcased deep discussion of major technological and policy developments, with particular focus on how market mechanisms and innovation can address global challenges.