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Artwork for Scaling Theory

Scaling Theory

Thibault Schrepel
Scaling Laws
Complexity Science
Technology
Complexity Economics
Adaptive Regulation
Digital Markets
AI Regulation
Artificial Intelligence
Trust
EU Digital Acts
Future Proofing
Generative AI
Biology
Diffusion Of Technology
Evolution
Scaling Theory
Digital Services Act
Telecommunications Regulation
Futurarchy
Innovation Policy

Scaling Theory is a podcast dedicated to the power laws behind the growth of companies, technologies, legal and living systems. The host, Dr. Thibault Schrepel, has a PhD in antitrust law and looks at the regulation of digital ecosystems through the lens of complexity theory. The podcast is hosted by the Network Law Review. It features scholarly discussions with select guests and deep dives into t... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes31Founded2 years ago
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Artwork for Scaling Theory

Latest Episodes

Some things change the world not because they are new, but because everyone learns them at once. That is the difference between mutual knowledge, where each of us knows something, and common knowledge, where each of us knows that the other knows, wit... more

Welcome back to Scaling Theory. In this episode, I speak with Matthew O. Jackson, the William D. Eberle Professor of Economics at Stanford University and an external faculty member at the Santa Fe Institute. Matthew is one of the founders of the mode... more

Welcome back to Scaling Theory. My guest today is Albert-László Barabási, Professor of Network Science at Northeastern University and one of the most cited scientists alive with over 320 000 citations. His books include Linked, The Formula, and Netwo... more

Welcome back to scaling theory. My guest today is ⁠Scott E. Page⁠, Distinguished University Professor of Complexity, Social Science, and Management at the University of Michigan, and an external faculty member at the Santa Fe Institute. He is an elec... more

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Recent Guests

Albert-László Barabási
Professor of Network Science at Northeastern University
Northeastern University
Episode: #29 – Albert-Laszlo Barabasi: The Hidden Order of Networks
Scott Page
Distinguished university professor of complexity, social science, and management
University of Michigan; Santa Fe Institute
Episode: #28 – Scott Page: Why Diversity Beats Genius
Cass Sunstein
University Professor at Harvard University, legal and political thinker
Harvard University
Episode: #27 – Cass Sunstein: On Scaling Liberalism
W. Brian Arthur
A leading figure in complexity science and economics, known as the father of complexity economics.
Santa Fe Institute
Episode: #26 – W. Brian Arthur: On Economies, Santa Fe, and a Life in Ideas
Cristina Bicchieri
Professor of Social Thoughts and Comparative Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania; Director of the Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: #25 – Cristina Bicchieri: The Scaling of Norms
Robin Hanson
Associate Professor of Economics, George Mason University; author of The Age of Em and The Elephant in the Brain
George Mason University
Episode: #24 – Robin Hanson: The Scaling of Futarchy
Melanie Moses
Professor of computer science at the University of New Mexico and chair of the New Mexico AI Consortium
University of New Mexico
Episode: #21 – Melanie Moses: From Cells to Algorithms
Melanie Mitchell
Professor at the Santa Fe Institute, author of Complexity: A Guided Tour, and Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans
Santa Fe Institute
Episode: #20 – Melanie Mitchell: The Science of Artificial Thinking
Paul Seabright
Professor of Economics at the Toulouse School of Economics and author of The Divine Economy, How Religions Compete for Wealth, Power, and People
Episode: #19 – Paul Seabright: How to Scale a Religion

Hosts

Thibault Schrepel
Host of Scaling Theory; specializes in antitrust law and regulation of digital ecosystems; frequent commentator on complexity-informed policy.
James Evans
Professor of Sociology and Computational Data Science; focuses on AI, science, and data-driven methods in social contexts.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 27 ratings
  • Great Topics — Terrible Audio

    I look forward to the topics, but rarely finish a show because the audio is so bad.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    HBW!
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the rigorous, literature-backed discussions and interdisciplinary angles.
Guests are often well-respected experts, lending credibility to the conversations.
Some critique audio quality or production as a barrier to engagement.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#29 – Albert-Laszlo Barabasi: The Hidden Order of Networks
Q: How did empirical data influence your confidence in preferential attachment and the concept of fitness?
Empirical data from multiple domains—Web, citations, actor networks, and later fitness measurements in publications—showed consistent power-law behavior and allowed us to quantify variations in node fitness, confirming that both growth and fitness shape network evolution.
#29 – Albert-Laszlo Barabasi: The Hidden Order of Networks
Q: What do you think was the deepest claim in your early papers, and which claim has been most misunderstood?
The deepest claim is that real networks are scale-free and organized by growth and preferential attachment, not random. The most misunderstood aspect has been interpreting the Barabási–Albert mechanism as a model of a specific system (like the Internet) rather than as a general mechanism that can generate hub-dominated networks across many domains.
#27 – Cass Sunstein: On Scaling Liberalism
Q: What mechanisms make liberalism scalable across diverse contexts, and what role do figures like Hayek and Mill play in that scaling?
Liberalism scales through a triad of commitments—rule of law, pluralism, and freedom—coupled with a flexible, humane approach inspired by Mill's warmth and Hayek's knowledge problem, allowing adaptation without losing core principles.
#27 – Cass Sunstein: On Scaling Liberalism
Q: How should liberals navigate the tension between technocratic expertise and populist accountability, especially regarding AI?
A hybrid approach is needed: honor technocratic expertise for factual grounding and evidence on what works, while preserving populist channels for accountability and democratic legitimacy, with ongoing reassessment and openness to adjustment as new information emerges.
#27 – Cass Sunstein: On Scaling Liberalism
Q: Why do you think cost-benefit analysis is worth applying despite its limits?
Because it helps quantify trade-offs and guide decisions when there are multiple competing interests, while acknowledging uncertainties. It disciplines consideration of costs and benefits, but remains tempered by transparency about data gaps and the value judgments involved.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Scaling Theory

What is Scaling Theory about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show investigates how scaling laws shape growth in tech, firms, and institutions, through a lens that blends complexity science with regulatory and governance questions. Episodes often explore how networks, platforms, and AI technologies alter incentives, competition, and policy, with deep dives into literature and real-world implications for regulation and innovation. A standout trait is its rigorous interdisciplinary approach, connecting economics, law, sociology, and computer science to explain why systems scale as they do and what that means for strategy, governance, and regulation.

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1. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
2. Hidden Brain
3. The Rest Is History

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Scaling Theory launched 2 years ago and published 31 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Scaling Theory?

Recent guests on Scaling Theory include:

1. Albert-László Barabási
2. Scott Page
3. Cass Sunstein
4. W. Brian Arthur
5. Cristina Bicchieri
6. Robin Hanson
7. Melanie Moses
8. Melanie Mitchell

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