Richard Duncan on Creditism, the AI Arms Race, and “Cognitism” | Macro Watch

Richard Duncan on Creditism, the AI Arms Race, and “Cognitism” | Macro Watch

Author: Lane Kawaoka, PE September 15, 2026 Duration: 49:03

📚 Unlock the secrets to building wealth! My book and 12-module Masterclass cover everything I’ve learned about passive investing and creating financial freedom. Watch it on-demand for FREE: http://thewealthelevator.com/master


🤝 Join the Hui Deal Pipeline Club and get a one-on-one call with me to discuss your investment goals: https://thewealthelevator.com/club


Lane interviews economist Richard Duncan (author of The Dollar Crisis and The Money Revolution and publisher of Macro Watch) about how ending the gold standard in 1971 shifted capitalism into “creditism,” enabling massive US trade deficits, disinflation, falling rates, and explosive growth in debt and Fed balance sheet expansion that prevented depressions in 2008 and during COVID. Duncan contrasts post-2008 low inflation with post-COVID inflation driven by supply-chain blockages, and argues credit-driven liquidity has inflated asset valuations while accelerating AI breakthroughs and fueling China’s rise via persistent US deficits. They discuss the US–China AI and defense race, energy and nuclear power needs, and risks from higher inflation and rates amid stretched valuations. Duncan introduces “cognitism,” a coming system driven by exponentially expanding AI intelligence, and highlights sectors tied to AI, semiconductors, energy, data centers, robotics, and defense, plus key macro indicators to watch.


00:00 Meet Richard Duncan

00:44 Macro Watch Discount

01:03 From Gold to Creditism

05:09 Why Old Theories Fail

06:28 Credit Growth and 2008

08:31 COVID QE and Inflation

10:54 Debt Wealth and AI Boom

14:00 China AI Arms Race

17:12 Energy Nuclear and Chips

22:07 Stretched Valuations Risks

31:58 Cognitism Explained

37:36 AI Skills and Sectors

41:13 What to Watch Next

47:40 Wrap Up and Subscribe


Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanekawaoka/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthElevator

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthElevator


Lane Kawaoka is a developer and multi-family syndicator who owns 10,000+ rental units and is the leader of “Hui Deal Pipeline Club” which has acquired over $2.1 Billion AUM of real estate by syndicating over $200 Million Dollars of private equity and most importantly distributed more than $45M back to our investors since 2016.


Check out our Top-50 Investing Podcast, The Wealth Elevator.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Hosted by Lane Kawaoka, PE, The Wealth Elevator Podcast: Real Estate, Taxes, Investing is a practical conversation about building wealth beyond a traditional salary. Lane started in 2009, purchasing small rental properties while working as a W2 engineer, and has since helped manage over $2.1 billion in assets as a general partner. This journey forms the backbone of the discussions, where he breaks down a clear, three-step system for financial growth. You'll hear detailed explorations of alternative investments designed to diversify a portfolio, alongside deep dives into strategic tax planning. The focus is on actionable knowledge, moving from theory to the real-world mechanics of investing. Each episode aims to demystify complex topics, offering a path that has been personally traveled. This isn't about get-rich-quick schemes; it's a methodical look at creating lasting financial freedom through real estate and other asset classes. Tune into this podcast for straightforward advice from someone who has navigated the path from employee to investor, sharing lessons learned to help others elevate their own financial trajectory. The tone is direct and informed, rooted in Lane's professional engineering background, making complex subjects accessible for anyone ready to take control of their financial future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Wealth Elevator Podcast: Real Estate, Taxes, Investing
Podcast Episodes
I Got Into SpaceX Before the IPO. Here’s What Retail Investors Miss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:23
📚 Unlock the secrets to building wealth! My book and 12-module Masterclass cover everything I’ve learned about passive investing and creating financial freedom. Watch it on-demand for FREE: http://thewealthelevator.com/m…
The Sandwich Generation: aging parents and raising kids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:48
📚 Unlock the secrets to building wealth! My book and 12-module Masterclass cover everything I’ve learned about passive investing and creating financial freedom. Watch it on-demand for FREE: http://thewealthelevator.com/m…