Ever wondered what lies beneath the mysterious world of activist short selling? This episode unravels that enigma as we sit down with the insightful Carson Block, founder of Muddy Waters Research. We take a thrilling dive into his intriguing journey, commencing from a self-storage business on the brink of failure in China, through to his international venture into activist short selling. Carson artfully delineates the subtle differences between traditional and activist short selling, using personal anecdotes from his early adventures with the potentially fraudulent Chinese company, Orient Paper.As the conversation progresses, we find ourselves navigating the intricate global ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. With keen analysis, we discuss the potential reshuffling of geopolitical alliances and shine a spotlight on Vietnam – a possible beneficiary of this realignment. Assessing the opportunities and hurdles in investing in their stock market is a fascinating exploration. The discourse then segues into a critical review of the real estate market and ESG investing, considering the impacts of US and ECB rate hikes on Vietnam's real estate market and the dubious aspects of 'green' technologies.Lastly, in this enlightening journey, we scrutinize the exploitation of government subsidies by renewable energy companies. We provide an in-depth look into risk management strategies for short selling and round off the discussion with a comical take on the absurdity of capital markets. So, join us for this enlightening conversation, where we offer a fresh perspective on the world of activist short selling, the post-COVID-19 global market landscape, and the contemporary status of ESG investing.ANTICIPATE STOCK MARKET CRASHES, CORRECTIONS, AND BEAR MARKETS WITH AWARD WINNING RESEARCH. Sign up for The Lead-Lag Report at https://theleadlag.report/leadlaglive and get 30% off as a podcast listener.Nothing on this channel should be considered as personalized financial advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. The content in this program is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any information or other material as investment, financial, tax, or other advice. The views expressed by the participants are solely their own. A participant may have taken or recommended any investment position discussed, but may close such position or alter its recommendation at any time without notice. Nothing contained in this program constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments in any jurisdiction. Please consult your own investment or financial advisor for advice related to all investment decisions.Support the show