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19 December 2025

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Jun 9, 2012 — Robert Wright & T.M. Luhrmann
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Nonzero (The Wright Show)
Jun 6, 2012 — Conor Friedersdorf & Robert Wright
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Friedersdorf
Conor asks whether Bob might abandon the Democratic Party over national security issues. Bob posits that humans aren’t evolutionarily equipped to evaluate the possibility of blowback in foreign affairs. Conor wonders why Americans aren’t more willing to impose checks on the executive branch—what won’t the public will accept in the name of “security”? They next discuss whether Obama’s mild manner causes people to accept policies that they would object to under a more cowboyish president. Bob presses Conor about what he hopes to gain by voting for Libertarian Party candidates. They conclude with Bob making the case that network effects all but guarantee Facebook’s long-term success—an argument Conor isn’t buying.
Jun 5, 2012 — Sarah Posner & Marie Ashe
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The Posner Show
On The Posner Show, Sarah chats with Marie about the interwoven history of religious freedom and women’s rights in America. Marie argues that that the 1638 trial of religious dissident Anne Hutchinson reveals a great deal about our ideas of religion and women’s rights, demonstrating a prurient strain that that is still evident in the US today. Moving to more recent history, Sarah and Marie discuss conservative pushback to the line of Supreme Court cases culminating in Roe v. Wade. While Roe and church-state separation have been eroded, the government has become more protective of religious freedom for organizations and individuals claiming conscience objections. Finally: Do corporations have a religious conscience that ought to be protected by the law?
Jun 4, 2012 — Michael Brendan Dougherty & Adam Serwer
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Washington Squares
On Washington Squares, Michael and Adam begin by debating Chris Hayes’s controversial remarks about calling veterans “heroes.” Michael talks about the danger in the fact that the military is the most trusted institution in American society, which Adam suggests has to do with its apolitical nature. They consider whether the process of dissent and conscientious objection in the military can lead to a slippery slope. Michael and Adam discuss the Obama administration’s “kill list” and whether America will ever have peace again. Michael asks Adam whether Romney is the most conservative GOP nominee ever, and Adam explains why that is a dumb question. Finally, Michael and Adam lampoon Mayor Bloomberg’s soda ban, while urging viewers to put down their Dr. Pepper anyway.
Jun 1, 2012 — Brenda Talbot
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The Posner Show
On The Posner Show, Sarah talks with Emily about why she left Israel, a country she chose as her home, after the second intifada. They discuss recent mob violence against African immigrants in Tel Aviv, and how American Jewish groups have reacted to it. Emily talks about her column about the lies of Jerusalem Day, and why the modern construct of Jerusalem is not the same as the holy city revered by Jews. Sarah questions whether American Jews really understand the increasingly right-wing trajectory of the Israeli government. Emily says the government is “wholly dedicated to protecting the occupation,” and doubts she will live in Israel again. Plus: Is the discussion generated by the blog Open Zion having an impact?
Jun 1, 2012 — Robert Wright & Shadi Hamid
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Worldwise
May 31, 2012 — Bill Scher & Matt K. Lewis
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The DMZ
On The DMZ: Is Mitt Romney fumbling by palling around with The Donald or is President Obama stumbling by going too negative? And Bill’s big idea: Obama’s “kill list” is squarely within the century-long tradition of Democratic foreign policy. So will the GOP concede foreign policy to Obama?
May 30, 2012 — Glenn Loury & Harold Pollack
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The Glenn Show
On The Glenn Show, Harold makes the case for the Affordable Care Act, but Glenn wonders why Obama isn’t defending the law on the stump. In the wake of the controversy over Obamacare, Harold fears a “legislative Vietnam syndrome.” How should proponents of same-sex marriage treat those who use religion to argue against gay rights? Glenn and Harold discuss the problems with using religious arguments in the public sphere, and Harold defends the decidedly uncivil rhetoric of the writer and gay rights advocate Dan Savage. Turning to the presidential campaign, Glenn derides Obama’s attacks on Romney’s tenure in private equity. Should we be leery of a resurgent economic populism?
May 29, 2012 — Conor Friedersdorf & Jim Manzi
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Friedersdorf
Conor interviews Jim Manzi, author of the new book Uncontrolled. Jim explains how his background in business consulting shaped his view of what’s wrong with government. The two debate whether localities should be permitted to experiment with policies that reduce the freedom of their residents. Conor cites professional licensing as an area where localities experimenting with different approaches don’t seem to learn anything useful. Jim considers whether value-added teacher evaluation is worthwhile. Finally, Jim explains why he thinks there are no silver bullets for complex policy problems.
May 26, 2012 — Robert Wright & Paul J. Zak
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Nonzero (The Wright Show)

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