Dan Wang is a technology analyst and author whose life experience, spent partly in North America, partly in China, sets him up as an authoritative observer of the differences and similarities between the American and Chinese empires. In conversation with Aaron Bastani, Wang shares his thesis that elite overproduction of engineers in China, and lawyers in America, can explain the traits of each empire as they face down the 21st century, from high speed rail and housing, to lockdown policy and manufacturing strategy.

Why has China been able to roll out high speed rail while America hasn’t? Why does so much of the anglophone world appear to be living in the ruins of industrial society? How did the one child policy come into being and has there been any reparation for the atrocities committed in its name? And is China today fundamentally left or right wing?

Downstream: China Is Building While the West Crumbles w/ Dan Wang

Old fart who loves 4:4 across the board. Occasionally promote and play out at a night called 'Darkroom' and at 'Esoteric' at The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge. currently promoting #InRealLife at The Golden Lion, Todmorden (next event is 3/12/25 with Reedale Rise live.) Held a residency on the Modulations podcast and broadcast 'The Electric Lounge' radio show for two years. Musical inspirations: too many. Forged in late 89 sweatboxes in Manchester...But it ain't where you're from, it's where you're at. 

Downstream: China Is Building While the West Crumbles w/ Dan Wang

Novara Media