Legendary VC Steve Jurvetson looks ahead at neutral networks, Tesla, nuclear power, and more | E2193

Legendary VC Steve Jurvetson looks ahead at neutral networks, Tesla, nuclear power, and more | E2193

Author: Jason Calacanis October 16, 2025 Duration: 1:29:32

Today’s show:

*On a very special TWiST, Jason’s joined by “one of the greatest investors in in the history of VC,” Steve Jurvetson of Future Ventures.

Together, they look back at some of Steve’s earliest investments and learnings, the promise and ultimate failure of nanotech, breaking down the AI hype cycle, the primacy of neural networks, the return of nuclear power, why “AI safety” might be illusory, and much more.

It’s a packed show full of deep insights from one of the greatest minds in technology today. Do not miss this ep!

Timestamps:

(00:00)Jason’s 1-on-1 today with “one of the greatest investors in the history of VC,” Steve Jurvetson

(00:03:04) The early origins of Steve’s fascination with “deep tech”

(00:08:03) Jason and Steve recall playing around with the TRS-80 (“The Trash-80”)

(10:00) Perspective AI: Real insights, straight from your customers, and your first two months are on us. Just go to getperspective.ai/twist.

(00:15:13) Keeping your portfolio diverse when so many companies look the same

(20:00) .TECH: Say it without saying it. Head to get.tech/twist or your favorite registrar to get a clean, sharp .tech domain today.

(00:20:49) The promise of nanotech and why it fell apart

(00:25:46) Breaking down the “hype” cycle and how trends get co-opted

(00:26:27) Why Moore’s Law and the Power Law are so important for investors

(30:00) Northwest Registered Agent - Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today!

(00:33:36) Understanding the rise of GPUs and how they resemble tiny brains

(00:51:32) Revisiting a classic clip of Steve talking about robots

(00:54:04) How Jason and Steve got their hands on some of the earliest Tesla Roadsters

(01:00:09) Flashback Clip: Elon predicts 2025 in 2015… how’d he do?

(01:02:46) Why did the world turn SO strongly against nuclear energy?

(01:16:06) Can we make AI “safe” in the age of GPT Psychosis? Is it too inscrutable?

(01:21:54) Why Steve thinks technology will ultimately doom autocratic regimes.


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Thank you to our partners:

  • TECH: Say it without saying it. Head to get.tech/twist or your favorite registrar to get a clean, sharp .tech domain today.
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Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland


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Every week, Jason Calacanis dives headfirst into the swirling vortex of Silicon Valley and global tech with This Week in Startups. It’s a direct line to the conversations shaping our digital future, moving far beyond surface-level news. You’ll hear Jason’s unfiltered analysis on everything from market shifts and media trends to the underlying mechanics of building a business, all delivered with a blend of enthusiasm and seasoned skepticism. The core of this podcast, however, lies in the guests. Jason sits down with the very people driving change-founders who have scaled impossible heights, operators managing daily chaos, and investors who spot trends before they become obvious. These conversations are less like formal interviews and more like insider debriefs, pulling back the curtain on real strategies, painful failures, and unexpected successes. For anyone curious about how technology is built, funded, and ultimately changes the world, this series offers a front-row seat. It’s the context behind the headlines, providing a deeper understanding of the forces at play in startups and technology. Tune in for a consistently engaging and insightful look at the ecosystem, straight from someone who lives and breathes it.
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