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

28 ratings

Publishes	Monthly	Episodes	31	Founded	2 years ago
Number of Listeners		Category	Science

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Latest Episodes

Steven Pinker on Common Knowledge, From Eye Contact to the Super Bowl

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

29 Jun 2026 • 33 min • Most popular

#30 – Matthew O. Jackson on How Networks Quietly Shape What You Believe

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

6 May 2026 • 47 min

#29 – Albert-Laszlo Barabasi: The Hidden Order of Networks

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

13 Apr 2026 • 51 min

#28 – Scott Page: Why Diversity Beats Genius

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

19 Mar 2026 • 1 hr 10 min

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Recent Guests

Steven Pinker

Professor of Psychology, Harvard University

Harvard University

Episode: Steven Pinker on Common Knowledge, From Eye Contact to the Super Bowl

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 at George Mason University

George Mason University

Episode: #24 – Robin Hanson: Scaling 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

Host

Thibault Schrepel

Host of Scaling Theory

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 28 ratings

Great Topics — Terrible Audio
I look forward to the topics, but rarely finish a show because the audio is so bad.
Apple Podcasts
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HBW!
United States7 months ago

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Listeners Say

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

Guests bring strong credibility and practical insights

Quality experts, but occasionally dense for casual listeners

Thoughtful, rigorously reasoned discussions a must for policy nerds

Production quality varies sometimes, but content remains top-notch

Clarity and depth in connecting academic ideas to real-world regulation

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Apple Podcasts	#167	Spain/Science
Apple Podcasts	#210	Netherlands/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Steven Pinker on Common Knowledge, From Eye Contact to the Super Bowl

Q: Should we expect AI systems to converge on agreements in a way that humans never do, because they share the same priors? Is that a feature or a risk?

Large language models tend to align toward objective reality and truth due to their training and business incentives, but true common knowledge in AI would require infinite recursion; in practice, finite approximations or 'almost common knowledge' are used, with ongoing debates about risks of monocultures or misalignment.

Steven Pinker on Common Knowledge, From Eye Contact to the Super Bowl

Q: Now, for the listeners that are new to the idea, what is the difference between everyone knowing something and it being common knowledge, and why is it in your own words not simply a logical nicety?

Common knowledge exists when everyone knows something, everyone knows that everyone knows it, and so on—this recursive awareness enables reliable coordination at all scales, whereas mere knowledge without this layered awareness may fail to align actions.

#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.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Scaling Theory

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

Scaling Theory explores the power laws and underlying mechanics behind growth in companies, technologies, legal structures, and living systems through a complexity-informed lens. Episodes frequently examine regulation of digital ecosystems, governance, and the role of AI and technology in shaping scalability, with guests ranging from network scientists and economists to legal scholars. Noteworthy is the blend of rigorous academic context with accessible, real-world examples that illuminate how regulatory frameworks, standards, and policy can scale alongside rapidly evolving digital infrastructures. Potential sponsors and guests may find the show valuable for discussions at the intersection of law, technology, and complex systems, especially... more

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

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