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18 December 2025

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Mar 21, 2012 — Conor Friedersdorf & Alex Schmidt
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Friedersdorf

Alex and Conor kick off their conversation by talking about the evolution of Internet comment sections. Alex explains why she goes out of her way to use less technology than she could. Should the government mandate energy efficiency? Conor and Alex have a surprisingly intense debate about whether or not Los Angeles has pleasant weather, leading Conor to claim, in an assertion of Golden State pride, that California does more to shape the national culture than New York. And they conclude by discussing whether iPods have changed the way we listen to music for the worse.

Mar 21, 2012 — Robert Farley & Andrew S. Erickson
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Foreign Entanglements

On Foreign Entanglements, Rob speaks with Andrew Erickson, editor of the new book Chinese Aerospace Power.  Andrew and Rob discuss the long road to development of China’s new aircraft carrier, including the choices that the carrier represents and what it might portend for China’s military future.  They then work through the implications of China’s development of anti-ship ballistic missiles and what it tells us about China’s military bureaucracy.

Mar 20, 2012 — Sarah Posner & E.J. Graff
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The Posner Show

On The Posner Show, Sarah and E.J. discuss whether more aggressive efforts to restrict access to abortion and contraception have sparked a resurgent women’s movement. Can we thank Rick Santorum for this—for being honest about his views on contraception in a way that most conservatives are not? E.J. makes the argument that women’s bodies are an economic issue, not a “culture war” issue. E.J. is optimistic about young women seeing this an freedom issue, and their activism through Slutwalks, social media, and more. Is the fight over contraception really just a rear-guard attempt to undo health care reform? Plus: Are liberals underestimating the political clout of religious conservatives?

Mar 19, 2012 — Robert Wright & David Corn
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Nonzero (The Wright Show)
Mar 18, 2012 — Mark Schmitt & Eric Liu
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Fireside Chats
On Fireside Chats, Mark talks with Eric Liu, co-author of the new book The Gardens of Democracy. Eric explains how the best way to think about our economy isn’t as a giant machine, but rather as a garden—that is, a complex adaptive system. Mark asks whether Eric’s view of inequality is really very different from the consensus among liberals. Eric responds to Mark’s critique of the book’s proposal that government should focus on more on the goals it wants to achieve and less on how to achieve them. Eric wants a reinvigorated vision of citizenship, but is that possible when everyone thinks politics is corrupt? Finally, they discuss the myth of the wealthy job creator.    
Mar 17, 2012 — Michael Brendan Dougherty & Freddy Gray
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Washington Squares
Michael and Freddy talk about the “new” Tory party and David Cameron’s (almost embarrassing) love for Barack Obama. They move on to discussing the appeal of the Big Society, and whether it is a revolutionary idea or an empty slogan. Is the “special relationship” between the US and the UK more like a dysfunctional one? Michael admires the British style of journalism that lacks America’s pieties about the powerful. They close with Michael asking Freddy about Britain’s stance toward the now faltering European project, and whether the future of Toryism is articulating what it means for Britain to remain independent.
Mar 17, 2012 — Robert Wright & Mac McClelland
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Nonzero (The Wright Show)
Mar 15, 2012 — Glenn Loury & Reihan Salam
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The Glenn Show
Glenn and Reihan discuss two policy debates: the economics of higher education and the wisdom of the auto bailouts. Reihan criticizes the “college cartel.” What’s driving the incredible increase in the cost of higher education? Glenn wonders whether selective colleges and universities don’t serve a useful role in bringing bright young people together. Reihan summarizes his “too big to fail” objections to the Detroit bailouts. Glenn invokes the “Samaritan’s Dilemma,” and wonders if objecting to bailouts can ever be a viable political strategy.
Mar 14, 2012 — Robert Wright & Kirby Ferguson
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Nonzero (The Wright Show)
Mar 14, 2012 — Robert Farley & Joshua Foust
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Foreign Entanglements
On Foreign Entanglements, Rob and Joshua discuss the tragic massacre of sixteen Afghan civilians by a US Army sergeant, and the public reaction in Afghanistan, before moving on to the implications of the massacre for the US election.  Rob and Joshua then consider whether Afghanistan can become a modern state, and the regional implications of the impending American withdrawal. Plus: Instead of victory, should our goal be risk management?

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