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Noah Smith

What Noah Smith thinks about America

@noah-smith · 44 positions · 1 change of mind

Economics writer; author of the Noahpinion newsletter.

Everything they publish, on ppll ↗

Noah Smith did not write this page.

We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.

7 dated positions, 2024 to 2026, in their own words. Our reading of what Noah Smith has said — not written or endorsed by them.

  1. Our readingA large, sustained AI capability lead by either the US or China could shift the global balance of power between them.

    Their wordsIf either country opens up a large, sustained lead in AI capabilities, it might upend the balance of power between the two.

    ↗America is still beating China in the AI racenoahpinion.blog

    China

    Interesting

  3. Our readingChina is more likely to cooperate on AI safety if the US maintains a clear and comfortable lead in AI capabilities.

    Their wordsBut given the Chinese Communist Party’s power-seeking nature, it seems much more likely that China would agree to cooperate on AI safety if U.S. capabilities were comfortably ahead.

    ↗America is still beating China in the AI racenoahpinion.blog

    AI alignmentChina

    Interesting
  4. 4 days earlier

  5. Our readingAmerica is missing out on the global electrification revolution, the first major tech shift it has completely whiffed on.

    Their wordsThe electric revolution is the first major technological revolution that America has just completely whiffed on.

    ↗Roundup #87: Technology BAD!!noahpinion.blog

    Interesting
  6. 5 months earlier

  7. Our readingThe current American movement against immigration is a periodic nativist backlash of the kind the country has had before, not a new phenomenon.

    Their wordsI believe that the MAGA movement is simply one of America’s periodic nativist backlashes, like the Know-Nothings in the 1850s or the restrictionists of the 1910s.

    ↗Yes, assimilation is goodnoahpinion.blog 6th of 7 in this piece

    immigration

    Interesting

  9. Our readingLosing the ancestral language and traditions over a few generations is a normal and healthy part of migrating, and should be accepted as such.

    Their wordsIt’s a normal healthy process, and everyone should accept it; it’s part of the deal when you move to America.

    ↗Yes, assimilation is goodnoahpinion.blog 7th of 7 in this piece

    Interesting
  10. 8 months earlier

  11. Our readingThe "private equity is buying up all the houses" argument is both wrong and an excuse for deferring zoning reform.

    Their wordsThe first of the two charts shows that institutional buyers — which includes private equity, BlackRock, etc. — own only a tiny sliver of the homes in America.

    ↗Corporations aren't the reason your rent is too highnoahpinion.blog

    housing

    Interesting
  12. 9 months earlier

  13. Our readingWho gets into a country is legitimately for its people to decide, and a democracy should enforce the decision they make.

    Their wordsBut if the American people have decreed that a person should not get in, they should not get in.

    ↗On immigration, what Americans want is democratic controlnoahpinion.blog 2nd of 2 in this piece

    Interesting