Stranded Technologies Podcast

In this episode, he and Niklas explore how genome sequencing, DNA synthesis, and CRISPR are turning life into an engineering platform. From coding proteins and viruses to writing entire genomes, Andrew explains how biotech is moving from reading DNA to actively programming it. They discuss N-of-1 personalized therapies, biosecurity in an age of cheap DNA synthesis, and why open science could accelerate biotech innovation. The conversation also touches on cloning, embryo editing, and the long-term future of human enhancement. Topics include: · DNA as digital code · Genome writing and synthetic cells · CRISPR and programmable biology · Personalized genetic medicine · Biosecurity and engineered viruses · Open biotech vs. proprietary models · Cloning and human genome design A conversation for builders, founders, and technologists thinking about biology as the next software layer. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

In this episode, she and Niklas explore why drug development takes over a decade, why only ~10% of drugs reach approval, and how clinical trials have become one of the biggest bottlenecks to biomedical progress. They unpack how incentives distort which diseases get treated, why surrogate endpoints matter, and how off-label use, real-world data, and even “bro science” reveal gaps in the current system. They also cover: • Clinical evolution and iterative human testing • Regulatory opacity and open-sourcing FDA filings • Australia’s faster Phase 1 model • Human challenge trials and medical freedom • Surrogate endpoints and distorted incentives • Real-world data and off-label discovery • Biotech innovation shifting to China • How better trials unlock biomedical abundance A conversation for anyone interested in biotech, policy, and the future of drug development. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Ian Huyett is an attorney at Cornerstone in New Hampshire, where he leads litigation and policy work for a network of over one hundred churches. He helped design New Hampshire’s new Right to Try framework, which provides some of the strongest protections in the U.S. for patients seeking access to experimental treatments. Read the Essay: The Christian War on DeathHow Christianity reframed mortality and unleashed biotech acceleration. In this episode, Ian and Niklas explore the alignment between serious Christian theology and biotech acceleration. Ian makes the case for combating sickness, aging, and death, challenges ideas like “death gives life meaning” or “playing God,” and explains why Christians have long driven medical innovation. The discussion then shifts to law and strategy, including the New Hampshire Right to Try bill, the role of civil liability, and how states like New Hampshire, Montana, and Florida are opening real paths for experimental treatments. More about Ian’s work: * Corner Stone Action * Ian’s X Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Arjun Khemani is one of the sharpest young thinkers in the progress movement.He dropped out of high school at 16, built apps with Naval’s team, ran a podcast with guests like David Deutsch and Balaji, and found himself inside the Bitcoin–Zcash privacy debate before turning 20. Niklas sits down with Arjun to explore how COVID shifted his worldview, how The Beginning of Infinity pushed him toward a deeper model of progress, and why privacy became central to his thinking about innovation. They unpack Zcash as an encrypted monetary system, how zero-knowledge proofs work in practice, how privacy shapes creativity and risk-taking, and what a modern Renaissance of talent could look like in a world built on cryptography. They also cover: * The path from Bitcoin to Zcash and the tech behind shielded transactions * Privacy as a foundation for authenticity, safety, and experimentation * AI-driven surveillance and its implications for money * Funding talented people and the lessons from the Medici era * The philosophical lineage: Deutsch, Popper, Schmer, optimism, error correction * How Zcash fits into the broader landscape of crypto protocols A conversation for anyone thinking about cryptography, progress, startup societies, and how the next wave of talent emerges and gets supported. More about Arjun’s work: * Arjun’s X * Substack/Podcast Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Ep. 101: Bryan Caplan: Pro Market & Pro Business, the Real Ethics of Entrepreneurship Bryan Caplan is a professor of economics at George Mason University and the author of several books, including Open Borders - The Science and Ethics of Immigration, The Case Against Education and the Myth of the Rational Voter. Niklas sits down with Bryan to talk about his new books and why markets often work better than we give them credit for. They dig into how governments block progress in the name of safety, why antitrust usually backfires, and how “free” public services wipe out space for affordable alternatives. Bryan makes a compelling new case for free markets - even free market advocates have often been overly critical of business, and he comes up with a novel concept: there are things that sound good and bad, and things that are good and bad. Politics is promoting things that sound good but are bad - markets are promoting things that sound bad but are good. They also cover: * the Microsoft antitrust case and its real cost * why poor countries suffer from too little big business * entrepreneurship as real-world experimentation A conversation for anyone building around regulation or trying to understand how progress really happens. More about GUEST’S work: * Bryan’s Wiki * Bryan’s X Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Niklas sits down with biomedical researcher and libertarian author Mary Ruwart (Death by Regulation) to dissect how decades of FDA rules derailed innovation, extended timelines from 4 to 14 years, and quietly reshaped the entire pharma industry, from discovery to delivery. Together, they unpack: * The pivotal moments: 1962’s Kefeuver-Harris amendments and 1992’s PDUFA and how they changed the game * Why the system now favors chronic medication over simpler or even one-shot cures * How off-label use and underground networks (like HIV buyers clubs) filled the gaps left by regulation * What the rollback of “Chevron Deference” means and why this may be the biggest opening in decades * How “statistical significance” became a misleading gold standard * Why founders still building in the U.S. need to understand the incentives behind drug lag, suppression of short-term treatments, and the quiet cartelization of Big Pharma * What it means to build around, beyond or outside the FDA: from Montana to Próspera More about Mary’s work: * Mary’s X * Wiki * Amazon Books Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Cremieux went from arguing against the death penalty as a teenager to becoming one of the most influential voices dissecting science online. Now with 250k+ followers on X, he’s known for exposing p-hacking, outcome switching, and selection effects that skew research. In this conversation with Niklas, here’s what they actually talk about: why effect sizes in journals rarely match FDA data, how gene therapy’s real bottleneck is delivery not targets, and why siRNA is the most underrated modality in biotech right now. What you’ll hear in this episode: * The heuristics he uses to spot bad research at a glance * Why published effect sizes are often 2–3x inflated compared to FDA data * Selection effects that quietly shape everything from education outcomes to clinical trials * The real bottleneck in gene therapy (delivery, not targets) and why germline bans hold back obvious wins * How pragmatic trials and IRB reform could finally fix a broken system * Why measles might come back and the case for vaccine mandates for kids * The truth about longevity research: most “breakthroughs” just stop early deaths, not extend the right tail * China’s clinical trial engine vs the slow US system * The modality he thinks is most underpriced today: siRNA For builders in science who care more about getting it right than playing along. More about GUEST’S work: * Cremieux’s X Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Two years ago, policymakers floated a global AI pause, some even suggested bombing data centers to stop progress. Today, the U.S. is pulling back from the brink. Adam Thierer, author of Permissionless Innovation and Evasive Entrepreneurs, joins Niklas to unpack: * How the “war on computation” began and the moment the tide turned * Why sectors “born free” explode with innovation, while “born in captivity” stay stuck * The explosion of 1,000+ AI-related bills across U.S. states and the risk of a regulatory maze * The strange alliance between the far left and far right to slow progress * Why AI could be the ultimate technology of freedom or a tool for repression * Why compared to 2 years ago there are reasons to be more optimistic now. If you’re building in AI, biotech, or any frontier space, this is your field guide to defending the right to build. More about Adam’s work: * Adam’s X * Medium * Amazon Books Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

In this episode, Michael Levin, Director of the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts, breaks down how his lab is rethinking regeneration, cancer, and aging, not through genetics, but through bioelectricity as the software of life. From pioneering living robots made from frog skin cells to repairing birth defects and regenerating limbs, Levin’s work shows how tissues act as intelligent agents and how future medicine will be about communicating goals to cells, not micromanaging their chemistry. We cover: * Why Levin believes the “anatomical compiler” is the endgame: designing an organ or organism on a computer and compiling it into bioelectric instructions for cells. * How cancer emerges as a breakdown of collective memory and why reconnecting cells electrically can normalize tumors without killing them. * Proof-of-concept experiments that restore normal brains in tadpoles with birth defect mutations, regenerate frog legs, and even grow functioning eyes in new locations. * The creation of Anthrobots, synthetic multicellular organisms built from adult human cells that can repair neural damage. * Why development and regeneration show that genomes don’t dictate fixed outcomes bioelectric memories do. * The philosophical implications: recognizing agency and intelligence at every level of biology. If you’re building in biotech, longevity, or frontier medicine, this is a field guide to rewriting the software of life and a preview of the systems that could make aging, cancer, and trauma solvable problems. More about Michael Levin’s work: * Dr. Michael Levin's X * Dr. Michael Levin Website Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

In this episode, Sondre Rasch, founder & CEO of SafetyWing, breaks down how his team is building global health insurance and infrastructure for digital nomads, and what it takes to operate in one of the most regulated industries in the world. * From policy advisor in the Norwegian government to a $50M revenue insurance company * The legal and regulatory hacks that let SafetyWing serve nomads across 180+ countries * Why differentiated products can thrive where generic ones die, even under heavy regulation * The hidden traps of “innovation labs” and how to actually partner with insurers * How SafetyWing’s Nomad Citizen program is taking first steps toward an “internet country” * How SafetyWing is the “oddly mature company” within the network state community If you’re building in insurance, frontier tech, or the network state space, this is a field guide to turning regulatory complexity into a moat — and building systems that outlive any single jurisdiction. More about Sondre’s work: * Sondre’s X * Safety Wing Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

John Martin Fischer is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at UC Riverside and a leading thinker on death, free will, and immortality. He joins Niklas to explore: * Why most philosophers argue against immortality and why he disagrees * The logic behind boredom, meaning, and the “human shape” of life * How AI and free will intersect and what it means for future minds * Ethical blind spots in Silicon Valley’s pursuit of radical life extension Stranded Technologies Podcast is the channel for the Infinita community, dedicated to accelerating longevity biotech and building the future of innovation-friendly cities. More about GUEST'S work: * John Martin Fischer Website Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Jose Luis Ricón Fernández de la Puente is widely known for his influential blog “Nintil” and in his current role as Head of Theory at Retro Biosciences, a leading company in the longevity biotech space funded with $180m by Sam Altman. Niklas and Jose Luis dive into: * Why the current scientific institutions often fail to deliver on its promises * The most promising pathways and bottlenecks in longevity biotech * Lessons from libertarianism and economics for building better scientific institutions * The role of network cities, special jurisdictions, and parallel systems Stranded Technologies Podcast is the channel for the Infinita community, dedicated to accelerating longevity biotech and building the future of innovation-friendly cities. More about GUEST'S work: * Retro.bio * Nintil This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Cush is the founder of Odisea Labs, an accelerator for Latin American frontier tech (crypto, AI). Cush is inspired by effective accelerationism (e/acc) and consequently coined the memes “latam/acc” and “Latin American Dynamism” in reference to their US-based counterpart. In this episode, we learn all about why Latam is awesome for tech. Financial innovation and crypto have a fertile ground here and are widely adopted due the lack of banking access for large populations, regulatory capture and government mismanagement. Odisea Labs has been a major partner to the past March Startup Residency Month, and is now announcing another partnership with Infinita City for the following: Crypto Cities Theme Month This is a one-month program for builders to deploy crypto-native projects, not just online, but in a functioning city with enabling legislation, crypto taxes, and a supportive community. 🗓️ | June 1 - 30, 2025📍 | Próspera Zone, Roatan (Honduras)➡️ | Signup: infinita.city/crypto-cities This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Jack Scannell is a consultant, researcher, and entrepreneur. Jack is one of the world’s leading authorities on pharmaceutical R&D productivity. He co-authored the influential 2012 paper in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery that introduced “Eroom’s Law,” a concept highlighting how drug discovery has become slower and more expensive over time—essentially the opposite of Moore’s Law. Scannell has advised major pharmaceutical firms and is a noted commentator on strategies to improve innovation efficiency in the life sciences. He is currently building Ethereos. Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Jean-Philippe (JP) Vergne is an Associate Professor of Strategy at Western University’s Ivey Business School, renowned for his research on organizations operating at the fringes of legality—particularly pirates. Along with Rodolphe Durand, he co-authored The Pirate Organization: Lessons from the Fringes of Capitalism, which explores how historical piracy and other unconventional ventures can shed light on modern forms of competition, regulation, and innovation. JP Vergne’s work extends to topics such as crypto governance, the historical development of organizations, and the evolution of capitalism. Book Reference: The Pirate Organization: Lessons from the Fringes of Capitalism Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Ivan Morgunov is an experienced entrepreneur driven by the goal of stopping aging. He founded Longaevus Technologies, a venture studio in the field of longevity, and Unlimited Bio—one of the two companies that administer genetic therapies in Prospera Dr. Anna Vakhrusheva has over a decade of experience in advancing vaccines and gene therapies. She led the development of Russia’s first recombinant SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (Betuvax JSC), driving it from R&D to clinical trials within two years. As a co-founder of Unlimited Bio, she spearheads genetic therapy research, translating cutting-edge science into real-world longevity solutions. In this episode, Anna & Ivan describe their journey to start a biotech company in Prospera, their novel thesis on why business model innovation matters to solve aging, the opportunity of “cocktail therapies”, regulatory fast-track options and challenges in a new jurisdiction. Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Nathan Cheng is a community builder, educator, and investor in the longevity biotech field. He has been closely involved with key initiatives such as the Longevity Biotech Fellowship (LBF), Healthspan Capital, and Longevity List, working to solve the problem of aging and death. In this conversation, Nathan Cheng discusses his journey into the longevity biotech field, exploring the quest for an indefinite lifespan and the various strategies to combat aging. He shares insights on community building, the importance of understanding aging, and the potential of biotechnology in extending life. The conversation also delves into the technical roadmap for solving aging, replacement strategies, and the role of cryonics as a last resort. In this conversation, Nathan Chang and Niklas Anzinger discuss the importance of mission-driven research in the field of longevity, emphasizing the need for focused efforts to tackle aging and death. They explore the role of the Longevity Biotech Fellowship in mobilizing talent and fostering collaboration among diverse professionals. The discussion also touches on effective communication strategies for the longevity mission, the catalysts for progress in the field, and the opportunities for newcomers to enter the longevity space. Finally, they introduce the Vitalism Foundation, which aims to unify efforts in the longevity movement under a shared ideology. Get involved & More about Nathan's work: * Longevity Biotech Fellowship (10% off for Infinitians) * Vitalist Bay (10% off for Infinitians) * Vitalism Foundation Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.strandedtechnologies.com

Samo Burja is a researcher, strategist, and founder of Bismarck Analysis and on the editorial board of Palladium Magazine. Samo is known for his work on how institutions shape civilization and his book “The Great Founder Theory.” Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.strandedtechnologies.com

Terence is a British biochemist who was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, Adjunct Scholar at the Cato Institute, and the author of numerous books. Terence is well-known for his case against government funding of science, which made him an influence in the decentralized science movement. We’ll talk about his views on the economics of science and the myth of scientific objectivity. Importantly, we’ll talk about something that Terence has never talked about in public. A new project that aims to do it better. This new project will take place within the next Infinita Forever Pop-Up City—a new school and research center on the island of Roatan, with a neo-medieval form of governance. Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.strandedtechnologies.com

Our guest is Anders Sandberg. Anders is a Swedish researcher, futurist and transhumanist. He holds a PhD in computational neuroscience from Stockholm University, and is a former senior research fellow at the Future of Humanity Institute at the University of Oxford. This conversation is about the governance of innovation, and the innovation of governance. Explore Infinita City: * Website: www.infinita.city * X: @InfinitaCity * The Infinita City Times * Join Events This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.strandedtechnologies.com