It’s Alex Danco’s landmark 10th appearance on Infinite Loops!

He joins the show to discuss his move from Shopify to a16z (where he'll be building out their editorial operations), the power dynamics between VCs and founders (the kings and priests of our era), communication theory and the power of speechwriting, Reagan's rhetorical genius, authentic weirdos, America's hypomanic DNA, the unexpected similarities between American and Chinese culture, and why listeners who haven't read any recommended books after 10 episodes are wasting their time.

I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, “Hmm, that’s interesting!”, check out our Substack.

Important Links:

Show Notes:

Alex’s New Gig
A Civil War Between Elites
The Citizen Kane Test for CEOs
Communication is the Founder's Job
VCs as Legitimacy Banks & Magic-Makers
The Lost Art of Speechwriting
Reagan's Genius & The American Dream
The Hypomanic Edge
Mystery, Respect, and Cultural Power
Marketing Ideas to the Right Audience
The New Internet Economy
Maritime Laws for AI Agents
The Goth Index and Authenticity
Substack's Identity Crisis & The Role of Podcasts
Alex as Emperor of the World (Again)

Books Mentioned:

What Works on Wall Street; by Jim O'Shaughnessy
How Music Works; by David Byrne
Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future; by Dan Wang
The Hypomanic Edge: The Link Between (A Little) Craziness and (A Lot of) Success in America; John D. Gartner
The Language of Magic; by Toby Chapel
Underwriters of the United States: How Insurance Shaped the American Founding; by Hannah Farber

Alex Danco — Speeches and Spells for the Kings and Priests (EP.283)

Infinite Loops