Politics 101, Prediction Markets Win, FOGO | Apoorva Mehta, Alex Spiro, Anish Agarwal, Derek Blasberg

The 2026 US midterm elections triggered significant shifts in the AI and data center landscape, with prediction markets proving highly accurate in forecasting the results. A 43-to-1 trend in data center moratoria is forcing companies to re-evaluate infrastructure strategies, potentially favoring hyperscalers and alternative regions like North Dakota. Market sentiment is transitioning from FOMO to "FOGO"—fear of getting obliterated—as hedge funds hedge against potential economic volatility. The episode features insights from Apoorva Mehta on the evolution of Instacart and agentic systems, legal strategist Alex Spiro on navigating high-profile litigation in the public eye, and fashion writer Derek Blasberg on the enduring influence of photographer Richard Avedon. These discussions highlight how shifting political and economic realities are forcing businesses to adapt their long-term infrastructure and operational strategies.