Bitcoin value fundamentals, network effects, rise of Ethereum. Economist Collin Starkweather, PHD

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Collin Starkweather — economist, data scientist, and former Chief Data Scientist at a legal-tech AI startup — for a deep, no-nonsense conversation about the real drivers of value in crypto, the misunderstood power of network effects, and the future of artificial intelligence.……………………………………………………………👉 Like deep, hype-free conversations on crypto, AI, and markets? Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SergiiGerasymovych ……………………………………………………………We unpack why most people — including many investors — fundamentally misunderstand what gives crypto its value. Collin explains how price, hype, usage, and belief all collide to create the illusion of “worth,” and why Bitcoin dominates despite its technical limitations. We dive into network effects and why they determine winners more than features — drawing surprising parallels between Facebook, Microsoft, and crypto.Our conversation explores market efficiency, the power of collective intelligence, and how retail investors often follow hype instead of logic. We discuss Ethereum’s strengths and weaknesses, why no one has managed to dethrone Bitcoin, and why belief may be more powerful than code.We also zoom out to talk about AI: where we are now, what separates machine learning from artificial intelligence, and whether we’re truly entering the age of AGI. Collin reflects on his time living and teaching in China and shares a unique comparative lens on the U.S.–China AI rivalry — from infrastructure and regulation to government incentives and global positioning.This episode is for anyone who wants to go deeper than buzzwords. Whether you're a crypto skeptic, an AI builder, a policy wonk, or just trying to make sense of markets, hype cycles, and technology trends — this is the conversation that cuts through the noise.Follow me on X: @SergiiGeraFollow me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergii-gerasymovych/Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SergiiGerasymovychVisit my website: https://gerasymovych.com/