In this episode of the Odd Lots podcast, hosts Tracy Alloway and Joe Weisenthal interview Gillian Tett, a columnist for the FT and head of King's College at Cambridge, about complex financial products and the current state of the financial system. Tett discusses the genesis of her book "Fool's Gold," the role of credit default swaps in the 2008 financial crisis, and the increasing importance of geoeconomics, which combines economics with political, social, and technological analysis. The conversation explores the need for transparency in financial markets, the risks associated with non-bank financial institutions, and the potential impact of policies like Section 899, which could tax foreign holders of U.S. treasuries. Tett emphasizes that the era of free market ideals is a historical aberration and that understanding power and politics is crucial for navigating the current economic landscape.
