Should We Admire Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX? - Michael Lewis [Part II] | Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared
Intelligence Squared
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Published 2023-10-21
Michael Lewis is the renowned author of bestselling masterpieces, including Moneyball, The Big Short, Flash Boys and Liar’s Poker. This autumn, he is set to release his most anticipated book to date, which is likely to be one of 2023’s biggest sellers  – Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon, a gripping, real-time narrative chronicling the enigmatic protagonist behind one of the most catastrophic financial meltdowns of the 21st century.  This character is Sam Bankman-Fried, who became the world’s youngest billionaire before his thirtieth birthday. And Lewis is uniquely positioned to tell his story, having been granted unprecedented access by Bankman-Fried, allowing him to witness his entire tumultuous journey. As Lewis himself puts it, ‘It’s almost as if I was attached to a character who was insistent on generating a beautiful work of fiction for me in real time, in the real world, and allowing me to watch.’ On October 9, Lewis came to the Intelligence Squared stage to relay how, as the crypto frenzy reached its peak, Bankman-Fried’s fortune soared, attracting the attention of CEOs, celebrities, philosophers, charity heads and world leaders, all vying for a piece of his time – and sometimes his money. At one point, he considered paying off the entire national debt of the Bahamas so he could take his business there. But then it all came crashing down. Bankman-Fried has been charged in US federal court with committing a multi-billion-dollar fraud and, if convicted, faces a lengthy prison term. 

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All Comments (21)
  • @barteksudol
    that what's wrong with the society now these days, we are supposed to admire criminals ?
  • @danibravo5700
    This guy overlooks that much of the personality Sam created for himself was fake. He admitted to it and just look at how he allowed his parents to profit from their connections with Sam...
  • @tahneetran1471
    To borrow from Mr. Steve Eisman, “They mistake leverage for genius. “ I want to add they can hurt you with that kind of leverage.
  • @alexvtan
    He is clearly smitten by SBF who treats life like a videogame. In an alter world where there is no risk and consequences doesn't matter.
  • @bobli30
    how much you got paid to muddle the water? it's a simple and clear case of precalculted frauld.
  • @davids2218
    Lewis was a personal advisor to SBF at a time when Fried was making a lot of decisions that were illegal. Lewis needs to be put under oath and asked a lot of uncomfortable questions.
  • @2smoulder
    Was SBF intelligent - probably; was he devious - definitely; did he display sociopathic behaviour - definitely; did he behave unethically - absolutely; was he devoid of empathy - yes; is Michael Lewis missing the point of embezzlement - sadly Yes.
  • The old story since time immemorial: GREED on everyone's part
  • @95davidt1
    12:20 that face when you know you lost all journalist integrity
  • @ca091813
    I think Lewis is an excellent writer and a honest person.
  • @aluxendr
    Ah yes, from his culture's point of view, destroying your host is the ultimate display of skill
  • @scienceobserver7009
    Nothing but smitten with a conman's game. Ridiculous that he could be pulled in so deep that FTX crumbling has left him scrambling to double down or face the truth.
  • @Entertainment-jv8xw
    Took way too many irrational risks. Reckless behaviour needed to end before it became a billion $ blow up.
  • @renpilak6048
    Question is - How much was he paid? Also, he needs to be on their good side so he can sell his book and eventually sell the rights to Hollywood!
  • @ipsizm9265
    Michael Lewis’s defensiveness on full display.