Usually when I introduce these downstream interviews, I talk about some big historical shifts, some

momentous political episode, and why the guests who I'm speaking to over the next hour,

hour and a half is entirely relevant, why

you simply have to watch and listen. Of course, that is basically the gist of today's show as

well, but I can be a little bit more brief in terms of who I'm speaking to and why. Michael

Lewis is, for my money, the single best essayist and non-fiction writer in the English-speaking world today.

He's written on data in baseball.

He's talked about high-frequency trading.

In the lead-up as well to the global financial crisis, he took a light shining it on those who benefited, who bet against the big banks.

When it came to the US mortgage market, that became, of course, a bet against the big banks when it came to the US mortgage market.

That became, of course, a film, the big, short, and even won an Oscar.

More recently, he has focused on government in America and the risks posed by the Trump White House.

His most recent book, or rather series of essays,

Who is Government, seeks to tell the untold story of public service.

And the seemingly boring stories of those in federal government actually are rather fascinating.

I can't think of many people I'd rather speak to more.

When it comes to Trump 2.0, the future of the United States, and the big questions we're all asking about what happens over the rest of the 2020s.

Michael Lewis, welcome to downstream.

Thank you, Aaron.

The wind, the synthetic wind from the fan is waving through your

fit care, just so people know that you're not being deceived, because it's very hot in here today.

So we've made an exception for you, Michael. I appreciate you making me feel comfortable,

...