Monetary Matters with Jack Farley

Lyn Alden on Macro Consequences of AI and The Stolgard Incident (Monitoring The Situation Replay)

May 13, 2026·50 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Learn More About Unlimited HFGM Global Macro ETF $HFGM: https://unlimitedetfs.com/hfgm Jack Farley and Max Wiethe host Lyn Alden to explore the profound economic shifts driven by AI and the semiconductor industry. Alden compares the current rise of autonomous AI agents to the blue-collar manufacturing shifts of the 1980s, expressing continued bullishness on semiconductors due to physical bottlenecks and immense compute demand. She cautions that while tech hyperscalers remain dominant, their massive capital expenditure requirements and lower switching costs may lead to lower returns on invested capital than seen in previous decades. Regarding digital assets, Alden remains constructive on Bitcoin and moderately bullish on stablecoins, which she views as a vital tool for providing "offshore" banking utility to global users with smartphones. The conversation also highlights a "two-speed" or "K-shaped" economy where record-high stock prices diverge from record-low consumer sentiment due to stagflationary pressures and heavy fiscal spending. Finally, Alden discusses her science fiction novel, “The Stolgard Incident,” which envisions a semi-dystopian 2070s where society grapples with ubiquitous AI, virtual reality escapism, and widening wealth gaps. This originally aired on Monitoring The Situation in late April, see below to tune in.  Follow Lyn Alden on X https://x.com/LynAldenContact Follow Jack Farley on X https://x.com/jackfarley96Follow Monitoring The Situation (MTS) on X https://x.com/MTSlive Lyn Alden’s book, “The Stolguard Incident,” https://www.amazon.com/Stolguard-Incident-Lyn-Alden/dp/B0GNS9MYB5/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=193521879551&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RJbicCTYIekTrz-Xcqzk7A.nC6zf8DffI2xHZBeqYOHUm48fMahUhOyxmiEmcenTBU&dib_tag=se&hvadid=789707336866&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9060354&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=17622433326543445596--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17622433326543445596&hvtargid=kwd-2473232811348&hydadcr=17070_13576050_1647189&keywords=the+stolguard+incident&mcid=b89d146b19ee37e6bc43fd9ecdb6775a&qid=1778698355&sr=8-1  Follow Monetary Matters on: Apple Podcasts https://rb.gy/s5qfyh Spotify https://rb.gy/x56dx5 YouTube https://rb.gy/dpwxez

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