August 13, 2026
Sarah Paine — The war for India (lecture & interview)
Dwarkesh Podcast · Sarah C. M. Paine · 2 hr 12 min
Why we chose this episode
A naval historian teaching, not performing. Paine explains how strategy actually fails: not through a single bad battle but through a chain of reasonable-sounding decisions. It is the rare long conversation where the length is the point.
Listen for this question
Where are you winning tactically and losing strategically?
Listen to the full episode
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Visit Dwarkesh PodcastWho it’s for: Anyone who reads history for judgment rather than trivia.
Best way to listen
A long walk or a long drive, in one sitting if you can.
After the episode
Write down one decision you are making for momentum rather than reasons.
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