On a special Olympics edition of Foreign Entanglements, Rob speaks with Nick about the 1980 US Olympic boycott, and how Reagan cleverly used the boycott against Carter. Rob explains why the Cold War-era Olympics were so much better than they are now. Rob and Nick next talk “Medalball,” where national teams try to game the medal system. Is China soon to be the dominant Olympic power? Given the impetus toward national glory, Rob wonders why some nations limit women’s participation. They chastely examine the free-for-all sex orgy known as the Olympic Village. Finally, Nick and Rob advocate for some recognition of the Israeli athletes slain during the 1972 Olympics.

Guest-hosting on The Posner Show, Gabriel talks with Sarah Senk, a professor who studies trauma, about the shooting in Colorado and the immediate calls to not “politicize” the massacre. Gabriel and Sarah compare the shooting’s aftermath with the reaction to another “national collective trauma,” 9/11. They next discuss technology in the classroom: Has it improved pedagogy and the learning experience, or is it all hype? Gabriel gets sentimental for a pre-technologized education, but concedes that technology has its educational uses as well.

On Friedersdorf, the conversation kicks off with Mark discussing his column on purity balls, where fathers pledge to protect the chastity of their daughters. They next talk about Mark’s profile of David Frum—are Frum’s politics a psychological reaction to his famous mother? Conor disagrees with Frum’s dismissal of libertarianism, but thinks he deserves credit for publicly changing his mind at some cost to his financial well-being. The two go on to consider what the goal of parenting is, and the thing that parents in Mark’s neighborhood fear most. They discuss the good and the bad (but mainly the good) of the sexual revolution, and Conor argues that society should stigmatize absent fathers.

On Foreign Entanglements, Matt and Jamie discuss the assassinations in Syria, and whether Obama should have done more. Matt points out that “safe zones” sound nice and easy, but they entail military intervention. Matt and Jamie discuss Assad’s relationship with Hezbollah, and how their fortunes have changed since 2006. Does the bombing in Bulgaria indicate a new phase of “shadow war” with Iran? And is it “within international norms” to assassinate Iranian scientists? Finally, Matt and Jamie debate the best way to change Iranian behavior.

On The DMZ: Obama’s “you didn’t build that”—major gaffe or out-of-context quote? Is this the start of a real debate about the direction of the country? Matt and Bill consider whether promoting the “rugged individualist” theme is a political winner. Matt argue that liberalism is like going to visit your grandparents. But while he thinks conservatism is more exciting, he admits that Bill’s vision of a liberal utopia sounds appealing.

Guest-hosting on The Posner Show, Emily and Alyssa discuss women and sexism in pop culture. Alyssa describes the economic incentives for the continued production of sexist entertainment. They talk about Louis C.K.’s response to Daniel Tosh’s rape joke, and whether such jokes are ever appropriate. Can pop culture really be separated from politics? Emily discusses talking with her kids about what they read and watch. Alyssa argues that homogeneity of thought represents a danger to dedicated fan communities. Turning to The Avengers, Emily posits that even Joss Whedon isn’t perfect—and that’s okay! Finally, Alyssa explains why it’s so important to have diversity in entertainment.