Podcast # 20 - Economist Paul Brewbaker on Gamestop Short Squeeze, Robinhood, Reddit Army, bubbles, and #yolo trades

Hawaii's economist PAUL BREWBAKER is a local legend among Honolulu's business community.  Known for his local story telling abilities, he's been a featured speaker on all things economic for over 25 years.

Mr. Brewbaker has a degree in Economics from Stanford, and a PHD in Economics from the University of Hawaii.

He's been a lecturer at UH since 1987 and was the Bank of Hawaii's  Senior Vice President and Chief Economist for 25 years.  

On this podcast, Mr. Brewbaker breaks down the Gamestop short Squeeze.  Here's the show notes:

0:00 - What are your thoughts on Gamestop?

8:51 - Institutional, Quant, and Technical traders looking down on retail investors

20:36 -  Occupy Wall Street, populism, and social media's effect (Wall Street Bets / Reddit Army) on trading & volatility

29:45 - Clearing Houses and Robinhood platform

34:34 - Democratization of the financial system, atms, and clubbing in the 70's

38:49 - What is a bubble?

40:44 - Liquor, Ladies, and LEVERAGE

48:49 - The role of speculators, #yolo trades, and the "Chance em" risk thesis