Stranded Technologies Podcast

Ep. 107: Sid Sijbrandij On Beating Cancer with First Principles, n = 1 Personalized Treatments and Special Access Regulatory Pathways

Sid Sijbrandij is the co-founder of GitLab, one of the world’s largest open-source software companies. But in 2022, his life took a radical turn — he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.Instead of relying solely on the medical system, Sid took a different approach. He ran every diagnostic imaginable, developed experimental treatments, combined therapies, and ultimately built his own path to survival — even when doctors ran out of options.In this episode, we explore how Sid applied first-principles thinking to medicine, why healthcare systems are fundamentally misaligned with patient incentives, and what the future of personalized treatments could look like. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Ep. 106: Yaron Brook: Capitalism, Ayn Rand, and the Moral Case for Freedom

Yaron Brook, chairman of the Ayn Rand Institute and host of the Yaron Brook Show, joins Niklas to discuss the moral and philosophical foundations of capitalism.They explore Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism, the ethical case for individual freedom, and why capitalism is often misunderstood in modern political discourse. The conversation also touches on libertarian governance, free private cities, and what a truly free society could look like in practice.A deep dive into capitalism, philosophy, and the future of human freedom. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Ep. 105: Andrew Hessel: Programming DNA and Engineering the Future of Life

In this episode, he and Niklas explore how genome sequencing, DNA synthesis, and CRISPR are turning life into an engineering platform. From coding proteins and viruses to writing entire genomes, Andrew explains how biotech is moving from reading DNA to actively programming it.They discuss N-of-1 personalized therapies, biosecurity in an age of cheap DNA synthesis, and why open science could accelerate biotech innovation. The conversation also touches on cloning, embryo editing, and the long-term future of human enhancement.Topics include:· DNA as digital code · Genome writing and synthetic cells · CRISPR and programmable biology · Personalized genetic medicine · Biosecurity and engineered viruses · Open biotech vs. proprietary models · Cloning and human genome designA conversation for builders, founders, and technologists thinking about biology as the next software layer. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Ep. 104: Ruxandra Teslo: Clinical Trials, Drug Innovation, and the Bottleneck to Biotech Abundance

In this episode, she and Niklas explore why drug development takes over a decade, why only ~10% of drugs reach approval, and how clinical trials have become one of the biggest bottlenecks to biomedical progress.They unpack how incentives distort which diseases get treated, why surrogate endpoints matter, and how off-label use, real-world data, and even “bro science” reveal gaps in the current system.They also cover: • Clinical evolution and iterative human testing • Regulatory opacity and open-sourcing FDA filings • Australia’s faster Phase 1 model • Human challenge trials and medical freedom • Surrogate endpoints and distorted incentives • Real-world data and off-label discovery • Biotech innovation shifting to China • How better trials unlock biomedical abundanceA conversation for anyone interested in biotech, policy, and the future of drug development. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Ep. 103: Ian Huyett on Right to Try, Christian Techno Optimism, and Biotech Federalism

Ian Huyett is an attorney at Cornerstone in New Hampshire, where he leads litigation and policy work for a network of over one hundred churches. He helped design New Hampshire’s new Right to Try framework, which provides some of the strongest protections in the U.S. for patients seeking access to experimental treatments.Read the Essay: The Christian War on DeathHow Christianity reframed mortality and unleashed biotech acceleration. In this episode, Ian and Niklas explore the alignment between serious Christian theology and biotech acceleration. Ian makes the case for combating sickness, aging, and death, challenges ideas like “death gives life meaning” or “playing God,” and explains why Christians have long driven medical innovation. The discussion then shifts to law and strategy, including the New Hampshire Right to Try bill, the role of civil liability, and how states like New Hampshire, Montana, and Florida are opening real paths for experimental treatments.More about Ian’s work:* Corner Stone Action* Ian’s XExplore Infinita City:* Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times* Visit Infinita City* Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram* Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com