Sorkin discusses his motivation for writing a narrative-driven account of the 1929 crash, drawing connections to modern speculative markets like crypto and AI. The 1920s' culture of margin buying and financial optimism mirrors current tech booms, where innovation blurs with speculation. Key figures from the past, such as Raskob and Mitchell, are contrasted with today’s tech and finance leaders, highlighting how power and influence evolve. The discussion examines whether today’s asset valuations reflect a bubble or deeper macroeconomic imbalances, noting anomalies in gold and bitcoin adoption. AI's potential to disrupt labor markets is compared to 1929’s economic fallout, though current institutional hesitation suggests psychological rather than financial constraints. Unlike post-1929, recent crises have fueled rising socialist sentiment, partly due to policy missteps and skewed perceptions of mid-20th century prosperity. The need for a modern 'New Deal' is debated, focusing on spending discipline, tariff policy, and infrastructure resilience. Sorkin also shares insights on adapting his book for film and the challenges of storytelling in long-form media.