Divergence in economic well-being within a group
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Catholic Money Mastermind - Financial Planning conversations with Catholic CFP® Practitioners
Today, Ben welcomes KJ Smith—financial advisor, theologian, and founder of Ethos Logos Investments—for a conversation about what it means to bring Catholic social teaching into the heart of financial life. KJ shares how his unlikely pairing of finance and theology has become a vocation, shaping his mission to help Catholics invest in ways that honor both prudence and conscience. Their discussion explores the seven principles of Catholic social teaching—from the inviolable dignity of the human person to the call of solidarity and care for creation—and how these truths offer a framework for making money decisions that serve the common good. KJ reflects on the tension between growth and sacrifice, profit and responsibility, and why stewardship is never merely about returns but about loving one's neighbor through economic choices. Together, they highlight how Catholic financial planning calls us to reject exploitation, embrace responsibility, and see investing not as speculation but as participation in God's work of renewal. In the end, the conversation is both practical and deeply theological, inviting listeners to view their financial lives as a lived expression of faith, mission, and love in action.Key Takeaways:• Many Catholic institutions follow U.S. bishops' investment guidelines, but their employee retirement plans often fail to reflect those same values. • Faith-based investing does not necessarily require Catholic-only funds—it requires avoiding violations of Catholic teaching.• Catholic investing is not simply about avoiding sin but about directing capital toward companies that contribute to human flourishing.• Stewardship of creation is a moral responsibility because natural resources are gifts meant to serve present and future generations.• Solidarity requires recognizing that the suffering of one impacts all, calling us to mutual responsibility.• Ultimately, Catholic financial planning integrates prudence, justice, stewardship, and love, transforming money decisions into expressions of faith and service.Key Timestamps:(00:00) - KJ Smith's Background and Education(04:00) - Catholic Social Teaching in Financial Services(08:46) - Human Dignity and Economic Inequality(14:09) - Social Responsibility and Community Participation(16:39) - Rights, Responsibilities, and the Common Good(21:41) - Balancing Rights and Responsibilities(24:07) - Personal Discernment and Sphere of Influence(28:45) - The Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers(33:21) - Solidarity and Care for God's Creation(36:27) - Integrating Faith and FinanceKey Topics Discussed:Catholic Money Mastermind, Catholic financial planning, Catholic financial planners, Catholic financial advisors, Ben Martinek, faith and financesMentions:Website: https://www.elinvestments.net/ Mentions: Story of a Soul by Saint Thérèse of LisieuxMore of Catholic Money Mastermind:Catholic Money Mastermind Podcast is a personal podcast meant for educational and entertainment. It should not be taken as financial advice, and is not prescriptive of your financial situation.Are you looking to hire an advisor? Browse our members.https://catholicfinancialplanners.com/advisors/Are you a Financial Advisor who is serious about the Catholic Faith? Join our network and email info@catholicfinancialplanners.com
******Support the channel******Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedissenterPayPal: paypal.me/thedissenterPayPal Subscription 1 Dollar: https://tinyurl.com/yb3acuuyPayPal Subscription 3 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ybn6bg9lPayPal Subscription 5 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ycmr9gpzPayPal Subscription 10 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y9r3fc9mPayPal Subscription 20 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y95uvkao ******Follow me on******Website: https://www.thedissenter.net/The Dissenter Goodreads list: https://shorturl.at/7BMoBFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedissenteryt/Twitter: https://x.com/TheDissenterYT This show is sponsored by Enlites, Learning & Development done differently. Check the website here: http://enlites.com/ Dr. Richard Wolff is Professor of Economics Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is currently a Visiting Professor in the Graduate Program in International Affairs of the New School University, New York City. He is also the co-founder of Democracy at Work and host of their nationally syndicated show Economic Update. Over the last 25 years, in collaboration with his colleague, Stephen Resnick, he has developed a new approach to political economy. While it retains and systematically elaborates the Marxist notion of class as surplus labor, it rejects the economic determinism typical of most schools of economics and usually associated with Marxism as well. In this episode, we talk about economic inequality from a Marxist perspective: how to understand it, and what drives it. We discuss whether economic inequality is natural, why we should tax the rich, and whether the rich leave the country if they get taxed. Finally, we discuss whether anyone can become rich without exploiting the labor of others, and whether billionaires should exist.--A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS/SUPPORTERS: PER HELGE LARSEN, JERRY MULLER, BERNARDO SEIXAS, ADAM KESSEL, MATTHEW WHITINGBIRD, ARNAUD WOLFF, TIM HOLLOSY, HENRIK AHLENIUS, ROBERT WINDHAGER, RUI INACIO, ZOOP, MARCO NEVES, COLIN HOLBROOK, PHIL KAVANAGH, SAMUEL ANDREEFF, FRANCIS FORDE, TIAGO NUNES, FERGAL CUSSEN, HAL HERZOG, NUNO MACHADO, JONATHAN LEIBRANT, JOÃO LINHARES, STANTON T, SAMUEL CORREA, ERIK HAINES, MARK SMITH, JOÃO EIRA, TOM HUMMEL, SARDUS FRANCE, DAVID SLOAN WILSON, YACILA DEZA-ARAUJO, ROMAIN ROCH, YANICK PUNTER, CHARLOTTE BLEASE, NICOLE BARBARO, ADAM HUNT, PAWEL OSTASZEWSKI, NELLEKE BAK, GUY MADISON, GARY G HELLMANN, SAIMA AFZAL, ADRIAN JAEGGI, PAULO TOLENTINO, JOÃO BARBOSA, JULIAN PRICE, HEDIN BRØNNER, FRANCA BORTOLOTTI, GABRIEL PONS CORTÈS, URSULA LITZCKE, SCOTT, ZACHARY FISH, TIM DUFFY, SUNNY SMITH, JON WISMAN, WILLIAM BUCKNER, LUKE GLOWACKI, GEORGIOS THEOPHANOUS, CHRIS WILLIAMSON, PETER WOLOSZYN, DAVID WILLIAMS, DIOGO COSTA, ALEX CHAU, CORALIE CHEVALLIER, BANGALORE ATHEISTS, LARRY D. LEE JR., OLD HERRINGBONE, MICHAEL BAILEY, DAN SPERBER, ROBERT GRESSIS, JEFF MCMAHAN, JAKE ZUEHL, MARK CAMPBELL, TOMAS DAUBNER, LUKE NISSEN, KIMBERLY JOHNSON, JESSICA NOWICKI, LINDA BRANDIN, VALENTIN STEINMANN, ALEXANDER HUBBARD, BR, JONAS HERTNER, URSULA GOODENOUGH, DAVID PINSOF, SEAN NELSON, MIKE LAVIGNE, JOS KNECHT, LUCY, MANVIR SINGH, PETRA WEIMANN, CAROLA FEEST, MAURO JÚNIOR, 航 豊川, TONY BARRETT, NIKOLAI VISHNEVSKY, STEVEN GANGESTAD, TED FARRIS, HUGO B., JAMES, JORDAN MANSFIELD, CHARLOTTE ALLEN, PETER STOYKO, DAVID TONNER, LEE BECK, PATRICK DALTON-HOLMES, NICK KRASNEY, RACHEL ZAK, AND DENNIS XAVIER!A SPECIAL THANKS TO MY PRODUCERS, YZAR WEHBE, JIM FRANK, ŁUKASZ STAFINIAK, TOM VANEGDOM, BERNARD HUGUENEY, CURTIS DIXON, BENEDIKT MUELLER, THOMAS TRUMBLE, KATHRINE AND PATRICK TOBIN, JONCARLO MONTENEGRO, NICK GOLDEN, CHRISTINE GLASS, IGOR NIKIFOROVSKI, PER KRAULIS, AND JOSHUA WOOD!AND TO MY EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS, MATTHEW LAVENDER, SERGIU CODREANU, ROSEY, AND GREGORY HASTINGS!
Get bonus content at wickedproblems.earth Dr. Lorna Gold is the executive director of the Laudato Sì Movement, which was inspired by the late Pope Francis' 2015 letter. That document, considered pretty radical for the leader of the Catholic Church to issue at the time, was credited by former Irish president Mary Robinson and others with influencing the Paris Agreement - and you can hear echoes of it as recently as the advisory opinion issued this summer by the International Court of Justice. On its 10th anniversary, Francis' successor Pope Leo will lead the Raising Hope Conference, 1-3 October in Rome - but also available via livestream - talking about the relevance of its ideas for the situation we're in now. More than a “Catholic” thing, it will feature people as diverse as Brazil's climate minister Marina Silva (in the runup to COP30), climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Bill McKibben, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tuvalu climate minister Dr Maina Talia, Bianca Pitt of SHE Changes Climate, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty president Kumi Naidoo, and more. Somehow, Lorna was able to take a break from organising the event to speak to us. Lorna earned a PhD in economic geography from Glasgow University and author of Climate Generation: Awakening to our Childrens' Future.It's a great chat and we think you'll enjoy it. In This Conversation01:22 Introduction to Dr. Lorna Gold 02:21 Personal Tragedy and Resilience 05:29 Hope vs. Optimism 09:17 Relevance of Laudato Si' 13:01 International Court of Justice Ruling 15:21 Economic Systems and Climate Action 21:51 Pope Francis, Pope Leo and COP 30 22:31 Upcoming Conference and Call to Action 24:25 Personal Reflection on Climate Impact 27:56 Discussing Future Conversations 28:40 Mother's Role in Climate Action 29:39 Women of Faith for Climate Justice 31:37 The Raging Grannies and Activism 33:12 The Sharing Economy and Climate Generation 34:42 Sufficiency and Economic Inequality 41:17 The Role of Storytelling in Climate Education 44:34 Hope and Action in Climate Movements 47:31 Pope or Nope Quiz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Synopsis: As a bestselling author of 18 books, including "Aftershock" and "The System: Who Rigged It and How We Fix It", Robert Reich shares his insights on how to address growing income inequality and its impact on politics and economy.This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donateDescription: The crisis we're in was a long time coming. Now that we're here, what do we do about it? Returning to the show, former Labor Secretary and longtime professor Robert Reich joins Laura Flanders to discuss two bullies tormenting U.S. democracy: concentrated wealth and corporate power. As Reich shares, growing income inequality yields corruption in our politics and economy. No one election will change everything, but that's not a reason not to act, and act quickly to defeat the Trump administration — in Congress, and at the polls. Reich's latest Substack, “Should Democrats Shut Down the Government?” presents some ideas. Reich's latest book is “Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America”. He is also the subject of “The Last Class” about his final semester teaching at UC Berkeley's Goldman School. He's the author of eighteen books, including the bestsellers, “Aftershock” and “The System: Who Rigged It and How We Fix It,” and is co-founder of Inequality Media. Online, you can find Reich's viral video explainers and his widely-read newsletter on Substack. Join Reich and Flanders as they unpack how economic and political power intersect in American life – and catch Laura's two cents on “democratic capitalism.”“If the Republicans who now control Congress say, “‘We're not going to give you any role at all, and we are not even going to reassume our constitutional role as Congress,' then I think the Democrats have no choice but to say, ‘Forget it. That's it. The only way we bring attention to this crisis is we stop and shut the whole place down.'” - Robert Reich“More than a century ago, we had the first Gilded Age in the United States . . . We had the equivalent of billionaires, the equivalent of Elon Musk . . . Why would we not have another Progressive Era as a response to the Gilded Age? We are now in the second Gilded Age.” - Robert ReichGuest: Robert Reich- Former Secretary of Labor; Professor Emeritus, University of California Berkeley; Author, Coming Up Short: My Memoir of AmericaWatch the special report on YouTube; PBS World Channel September 14th, and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio September 17th (check here to see if your station is airing the show) & available as a podcast.Full Episode Notes are located HERE.-Related Podcast: Robert Reich Full Uncut Conversation Support Laura Flanders and Friends by becoming a member at https://www.patreon.com/c/lauraflandersandfriendsMusic Credit: 'Dawn Smolders' by Bluedot Sessions, and original sound design by Jeannie Hopper RESOURCES:Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:• Democracy & Capitalism: A Failed Experiment? Watch• The Pandemic Economy- Watch / Listen• Naomi Klein & Astra Taylor: Are We Entering “End Times Fascism”? Watch / Listen: Episode and Full Conversation • Masha Gessen & Jason Stanley: Is it Doomsday for U.S. Democracy? Watch / Listen: Episode and Full Conversation Related Articles and Resources:• Documentary: The Last Class with Robert Reich• “The Jobs Crash” by Robert Reich, Substack• Democrats Regain Advantage in Party Affiliation, by Jeffrey M. Jones, July 31, 2025, Gallup News• Bessent hails new ‘Trump accounts' as ‘backdoor for privatizing Social Security, by Michael Stratford, July 30, 2025, Politico• Co-founded by Robert Reich: Inequality Media and Inequality Media Civic Action• Office Hours: Who is MOST responsible for this catastrophe, other than Trump? By Robert Reich, September 3, 2025, SubStack• Schumer: Democrats ‘will force votes' on Trump tariffs after disappointing jobs report, by Al Weaver, September 5, 2025, The Hill Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O'Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel
Synopsis: Historical context for change- Reich draws parallels between the current era and the first Gilded Age, suggesting that a new Progressive Era could be on the horizon as a response to the second Gilded Age, bringing about potential reforms to economic and political systems.This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donateDescription: The crisis we're in was a long time coming. Now that we're here, what do we do about it? Returning to the show, former Labor Secretary and longtime professor Robert Reich joins Laura Flanders to discuss two bullies tormenting U.S. democracy: concentrated wealth and corporate power. As Reich shares, growing income inequality yields corruption in our politics and economy. No one election will change everything, but that's not a reason not to act, and act quickly to defeat the Trump administration — in Congress, and at the polls. Reich's latest Substack, “Should Democrats Shut Down the Government?” presents some ideas. Reich's latest book is “Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America”. He is also the subject of “The Last Class” about his final semester teaching at UC Berkeley's Goldman School. He's the author of eighteen books, including the bestsellers, “Aftershock” and “The System: Who Rigged It and How We Fix It,” and is co-founder of Inequality Media. Online, you can find Reich's viral video explainers and his widely-read newsletter on Substack. Join Reich and Flanders as they unpack how economic and political power intersect in American life – and catch Laura's two cents on “democratic capitalism.”“If the Republicans who now control Congress say, “‘We're not going to give you any role at all, and we are not even going to reassume our constitutional role as Congress,' then I think the Democrats have no choice but to say, ‘Forget it. That's it. The only way we bring attention to this crisis is we stop and shut the whole place down.'” - Robert Reich“More than a century ago, we had the first Gilded Age in the United States . . . We had the equivalent of billionaires, the equivalent of Elon Musk . . . Why would we not have another Progressive Era as a response to the Gilded Age? We are now in the second Gilded Age.” - Robert ReichGuest: Robert Reich- Former Secretary of Labor; Professor Emeritus, University of California Berkeley; Author, Coming Up Short: My Memoir of AmericaFull Conversation Release: While our weekly shows are edited to time for broadcast on Public TV and community radio, we offer to our members and podcast subscribers the full uncut conversation. These audio exclusives are made possible thanks to our member supporters.Watch the special report on YouTube; PBS World Channel September 14th, and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio September 17th (check here to see if your station is airing the show) & available as a podcast.Full Episode Notes are located HERE.Support Laura Flanders and Friends by becoming a member at https://www.patreon.com/c/lauraflandersandfriendsMusic Credit: 'Dawn Smolders' by Bluedot Sessions, and original sound design by Jeannie HopperRESOURCES:*Recommended book: “Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America, by Robert Reich - *Get the Book(*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate of bookshop.org and will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.)Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:• Democracy & Capitalism: A Failed Experiment? Watch• The Pandemic Economy- Watch / Listen• Naomi Klein & Astra Taylor: Are We Entering “End Times Fascism”? Watch / Listen: Episode and Full Conversation • Masha Gessen & Jason Stanley: Is it Doomsday for U.S. Democracy? Watch / Listen: Episode and Full ConversationRelated Articles and Resources:• Documentary: The Last Class with Robert Reich• “The Jobs Crash” by Robert Reich, Substack• Democrats Regain Advantage in Party Affiliation, by Jeffrey M. Jones, July 31, 2025, Gallup News• Bessent hails new ‘Trump accounts' as ‘backdoor for privatizing Social Security, by Michael Stratford, July 30, 2025, Politico• Co-founded by Robert Reich: Inequality Media and Inequality Media Civic Action• Office Hours: Who is MOST responsible for this catastrophe, other than Trump? By Robert Reich, September 3, 2025, SubStack• Schumer: Democrats ‘will force votes' on Trump tariffs after disappointing jobs report, by Al Weaver, September 5, 2025, The Hill Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Editor, Writer, Sound Design; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O'Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel
On this week's episode, Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter discuss the widening gap between the haves and the have-nots at Disney World, as chronicled in this New York Times piece. Then they review Caught Stealing, the new Darren Aronofsky film that's being marketed like a Guy Ritchie caper but is something else entirely. Some spoilers over the last 15 minutes or so of this pod, so just keep an ear out if you're worried about that sort of thing. Swing by the Bulwark on Thursday for a bonus episode on High and Low and King's Ransom, the movie and book, respectively, on which Spike Lee's new film, Highest 2 Lowest is based. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
Ever wonder where your federal tax dollars go? Spoiler: it's probably not your neighborhood. In this episode, we follow the money and it leads straight to states that take more than they give, complain the loudest, and somehow still get to make the rules.IntroWho's paying the bills?Who's making the rules?The cost of compromiseWhat needs to change?So what do we do?ClosingMusic by Loghan LongoriaFollow us on instagram: Sergio Novoa and My Limited View PodResources & ReferencesUSAFacts: Which States Contribute the Most and Least to Federal RevenueRockefeller Institute of Government: Giving or Getting? Balance of Payments by StateMarketWatch: Why Are Red States Fighting Federal Budget Cuts?The Conversation: Blue States Send Billions More to Washington Than They Get BackPew Charitable Trusts: Federal Spending in the States Interactive ToolRockefeller Institute of Government: https://rockinst.org/issue-area/giving-or-gettingUSAFacts – Federal Revenue vs Spending by State: https://usafacts.org/articles/which-states-contribute-the-most-and-least-to-federal-revenueThe Conversation – Tax Contributions by State: https://theconversation.com/blue-state-bailouts-some-states-like-new-york-send-billions-more-to-federal-government-than-they-get-back-137950Brookings Institution – The Wealth of Cities vs Rural America: https://www.brookings.edu/research/city-and-metropolitan-income-inequality-data-update/Pew Research – Federal Spending by State: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/data-visualizations/2022/federal-spending-in-the-statesFederal Taxes: Who Pays in vs. Who Gets Back Rockefeller Institute of Government – rockinst.orgPew Charitable Trusts – pewtrusts.orgMedicaid Expansion and Costs Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) – kff.orgCenter on Budget and Policy Priorities – cbpp.orgGun Trafficking Into Blue States ATF Firearms Trace Data – atf.govChicago PD Crime Gun Reports – home.chicagopolice.orgEPA Good Neighbor Rule – epa.govCourt filings via PacerMonitor – pacermonitor.comGuttmacher Institute – guttmacher.orgPlanned Parenthood – plannedparenthood.orgU.S. Constitution – archives.govElectoral College Info – archives.gov/electoral-collegeNational Popular Vote Interstate Compact – nationalpopularvote.comLibrary of Congress – loc.govBrookings Institution – brookings.eduAnnenberg Public Policy Center – annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org
Is economic inequality really the crisis it's made out to be, or is it a misunderstood feature of a healthy, free market society? Mark Thornton dismantles the modern obsession with equality, exposing the statist assumptions behind popular narratives and showing how capital accumulation, entrepreneurship, and individual differences drive prosperity. This is the Austrian answer to egalitarian myths.Recorded at the Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama, on July 25, 2025.Mises University is the world's leading instructional program in the Austrian School of economics, and is the essential training ground for economists who are looking beyond the mainstream.
On this edition of Free City Radio we hear from political researcher and analyst Guillaume Hébert on populist right wing exploitation of economic inequality in Quebec and beyond. This interview program is supported in 2025 by the Social Justice Centre at Concordia University. The music track is Passage by Anarchist Mountains. Free City Radio is hosted and produced by Stefan Christoff and broadcasts on : CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal - Wednesdays at 11am CJLO 1690 AM in Montreal - Wednesdays 8am CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg - Tuesdays 8am CFRC 101.9 FM in Kingston - Wednesdays 11:30am CFUV 101.9 FM in Victoria - Saturdays 7am Met Radio 1280 AM in Toronto - Fridays at 5:30am CKCU 93.1 FM in Ottawa - Tuesdays at 2pm CJSF 90.1 FM in Vancouver - Thursdays at 4:30pm CHMA 106.9 FM in Sackville, New Brunswick - Tuesdays at 10am
The elites have abandoned us. What the actual f**k is going on? Host, Cole Smithson expresses deep concern over the current state of democracy, the treatment of immigrants, and the implications of recent legislation like the 'Big Beautiful Bill.' He delves into the failures of trickle-down economics, the impact of climate change, and the need for a more leftist political movement to address systemic issues. Love y'all. Enjoy!Twitter @awake_smyth
What if the most powerful technology in human history is being built by people who openly admit they don't trust each other? In this explosive 2-hour debate, three AI experts pull back the curtain on the shocking psychology driving the race to Artificial General Intelligence—and why the people building it might be the biggest threat of all. Kokotajlo predicts AGI by 2028 based on compute scaling trends. Marcus argues we haven't solved basic cognitive problems from his 2001 research. The stakes? If Kokotajlo is right and Marcus is wrong about safety progress, humanity may have already lost control.Sponsor messages:========Google Gemini: Google Gemini features Veo3, a state-of-the-art AI video generation model in the Gemini app. Sign up at https://gemini.google.comTufa AI Labs are hiring for ML Engineers and a Chief Scientist in Zurich/SF. They are top of the ARCv2 leaderboard! https://tufalabs.ai/========Guest PowerhouseGary Marcus - Cognitive scientist, author of "Taming Silicon Valley," and AI's most prominent skeptic who's been warning about the same fundamental problems for 25 years (https://garymarcus.substack.com/)Daniel Kokotajlo - Former OpenAI insider turned whistleblower who reveals the disturbing rationalizations of AI lab leaders in his viral "AI 2027" scenario (https://ai-2027.com/)Dan Hendrycks - Director of the Center for AI Safety who created the benchmarks used to measure AI progress and argues we have only years, not decades, to prevent catastrophe (https://danhendrycks.com/)Transcript: http://app.rescript.info/public/share/tEcx4UkToi-2jwS1cN51CW70A4Eh6QulBRxDILoXOnoTOC:Introduction: The AI Arms Race00:00:04 - The Danger of Automated AI R&D00:00:43 - The Rationalization: "If we don't, someone else will"00:01:56 - Sponsor Reads (Tufa AI Labs & Google Gemini)00:02:55 - Guest IntroductionsThe Philosophical Stakes00:04:13 - What is the Positive Vision for AGI?00:07:00 - The Abundance Scenario: Superintelligent Economy00:09:06 - Differentiating AGI and Superintelligence (ASI)00:11:41 - Sam Altman: "A Decade in a Month"00:14:47 - Economic Inequality & The UBI ProblemPolicy and Red Lines00:17:13 - The Pause Letter: Stopping vs. Delaying AI00:20:03 - Defining Three Concrete Red Lines for AI Development00:25:24 - Racing Towards Red Lines & The Myth of "Durable Advantage"00:31:15 - Transparency and Public Perception00:35:16 - The Rationalization Cascade: Why AI Labs Race to "Win"Forecasting AGI: Timelines and Methodologies00:42:29 - The Case for Short Timelines (Median 2028)00:47:00 - Scaling Limits: Compute, Data, and Money00:49:36 - Forecasting Models: Bio-Anchors and Agentic Coding00:53:15 - The 10^45 FLOP Thought ExperimentThe Great Debate: Cognitive Gaps vs. Scaling00:58:41 - Gary Marcus's Counterpoint: The Unsolved Problems of Cognition01:00:46 - Current AI Can't Play Chess Reliably01:08:23 - Can Tools and Neurosymbolic AI Fill the Gaps?01:16:13 - The Multi-Dimensional Nature of Intelligence01:24:26 - The Benchmark Debate: Data Contamination and Reliability01:31:15 - The Superhuman Coder Milestone Debate01:37:45 - The Driverless Car AnalogyThe Alignment Problem01:39:45 - Has Any Progress Been Made on Alignment?01:42:43 - "Fairly Reasonably Scares the Sh*t Out of Me"01:46:30 - Distinguishing Model vs. Process AlignmentScenarios and Conclusions01:49:26 - Gary's Alternative Scenario: The Neurosymbolic Shift01:53:35 - Will AI Become Jeff Dean?01:58:41 - Takeoff Speeds and Exceeding Human Intelligence02:03:19 - Final Disagreements and Closing RemarksREFS:Gary Marcus (2001) - The Algebraic Mind https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262632683/the-algebraic-mind/ 00:59:00Gary Marcus & Ernest Davis (2019) - Rebooting AI https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/566677/rebooting-ai-by-gary-marcus-and-ernest-davis/ 01:31:59Gary Marcus (2024) - Taming SV https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/gary-marcus/taming-silicon-valley/9781541704091/ 00:03:01
THIS WEEK ON CODE WACK! As federal officials carry out large-scale, military-style raids and widespread arrests of undocumented immigrants, another fight is quietly brewing — one that could push thousands of people off their health insurance. More than half a million young people who were brought to the U.S. as children and grew up here could soon lose eligibility for affordable and subsidized health coverage. A new rule proposed by the Trump Administration would once again block DACA recipients from buying Marketplace insurance or receiving financial assistance. What would this mean for their health, their communities and the widening gap in health and economic equity? To find out, we spoke with Kristin McGuire, Executive Director of Young Invincibles — the nation's largest young adult policy and advocacy organization — where she leads the charge to amplify the voices of young adults in the political process. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
My guest is Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Professor Emeritus of Health Policy at Stanford University. We discuss which scientific questions ought to be the priority for NIH, how to incentivize bold, innovative science especially from younger labs, how to solve the replication crisis and restore trust and transparency in science and public health, including acknowledging prior failures by the NIH. We discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and the data and sociological factors that motivated lockdowns, masking and vaccine mandates. Dr. Bhattacharya shares his views on how to resolve the vaccine–autism debate and how best to find the causes and cures for autism and chronic diseases. The topics we cover impact everyone: male, female, young and old and, given that NIH is the premier research and public health organization in the world, extend to Americans and non-Americans alike. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Levels: https://levels.link/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Jay Bhattacharya 00:06:56 National Institutes of Health (NIH), Mission 00:09:12 Funding, Basic vs. Applied Research 00:18:22 Sponsors: David & Eight Sleep 00:21:20 Indirect Costs (IDC), Policies & Distribution 00:30:43 Taxpayer Funding, Journal Access, Public Transparency 00:38:14 Taxpayer Funding, Patents; Drug Costs in the USA vs Other Countries 00:48:50 Reducing Medication Prices; R&D, Improving Health 01:00:01 Sponsors: AG1 & Levels 01:02:55 Lowering IDC?, Endowments, Monetary Distribution, Scientific Groupthink 01:12:29 Grant Review Process, Innovation 01:21:43 R01s, Tenure, Early Career Scientists & Novel Ideas 01:31:46 Sociology of Grant Evaluation, Careerism in Science, Failures 01:39:08 “Sick Care” System, Health Needs 01:44:01 Sponsor: LMNT 01:45:33 Incentives in Science, H-Index, Replication Crisis 01:58:54 Scientists, Data Fraud, Changing Careers 02:03:59 NIH & Changing Incentive Structure, Replication, Pro-Social Behavior 02:15:26 Scientific Discovery, Careers & Changing Times, Journals & Publications 02:19:56 NIH Grants & Appeals, Under-represented Populations, DEI 02:28:58 Inductive vs Deductive Science; DEI & Grants; Young Scientists & NIH Funding 02:39:38 Grant Funding, Identity & Race; Shift in NIH Priorities 02:51:23 Public Trust & Science, COVID Pandemic, Lockdowns, Masks 03:04:41 Pandemic Mandates & Economic Inequality; Fear; Public Health & Free Speech 03:13:39 Masks, Harms, Public Health Messaging, Uniformity, Groupthink, Vaccines 03:22:48 Academic Ostracism, Public Health Messaging & Opposition 03:30:26 Culture of American Science, Discourse & Disagreement 03:36:03 Vaccines, COVID Vaccines, Benefits & Harms 03:47:05 Vaccine Mandates, Money, Public Health Messaging, Civil Liberties 03:54:52 COVID Vaccines, Long-Term Effects; Long COVID, Vaccine Injury, Flu Shots 04:06:47 Do Vaccines Cause Autism?; What Explains Rise in Autism 04:18:33 Autism & NIH; MAHA & Restructuring NIH? 04:25:47 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What does it really take for women to gain true financial independence—and what's been standing in the way? In this episode of The Art of Badassery podcast, host Jenn Cassetta sits down with journalist, author, and broadcaster Josie Cox to dive into the powerful themes of her book Women Money Power. Together, they unpack the hidden history of women's financial struggles and victories in America, from the game-changing role of birth control to the ongoing fight against the gender pay gap. Josie shares her personal journey, what inspired her to write the book, and why understanding our past is essential to building an economically empowered future for women.Connect with Josie Cox:WebsiteBook: Women, Money, PowerLinks Mentioned:Ep. 2: Taking on Misogyny on Wall Street with Jamie Fiore Higgins
Topics:In this episode, hosts Trevor (Iron Fist), Scott (Velvet Glove), and Joe (Tech Guy) discuss recent events and pressing issues. They begin with a review of the recent election, where Albanese was unexpectedly returned with an increased majority, the implosion of the Greens' vote, and the prolonged impacts on political dynamics including coalition balance and the future of the Liberal Party. The conversation shifts to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, describing the Israeli government's brutal actions and the global community's response. The team also delves into superannuation tax changes, emphasizing the impact on balances exceeding $3 million and addressing concerns about taxing unrealized gains. Additional discussions touch on the inequitable distribution of wealth exacerbated by policies during the COVID lockdowns and the call for higher taxes on the rich. The episode rounds out with reflections on the media's portrayal of these issues and a plea for more active and just policies.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:59 Election Wrap-Up and Analysis20:07 Superannuation Tax Discussion29:44 Taxing the Wealthy: A Socialist Perspective30:11 The Gaza Conflict: A Deep Dive36:04 Media Bias and Public Perception42:22 International Reactions and Sanctions55:46 Advocacy and Interviews: Voices from the Ground01:01:33 Economic Inequality and COVID-1901:04:38 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsTo financially support the Podcast you can make:a per-episode donation via Patreon or one-off donation via credit card; orone-off or regular donations via Paypal orif you are into Cryptocurrency you can send Satoshis. We Livestream every Monday night at 7:30 pm Brisbane time. Follow us on Facebook or YouTube. Watch us live and join the discussion in the chat room.We have a website. www.ironfistvelvetglove.com.auYou can email us. The address is trevor@ironfistvelvetglove.com.au
Back in 2016, Joan Williams, distinguished professor of law (emerita) at UC Law San Francisco, wrote an essay for the Harvard Business Review on why President Donald Trump attracted so many non-college voters. It went viral with almost four million views, becoming the most-read article in the 90-year history of the publication.Williams' new book, Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back, outlines how the seemingly common view that her fellow progressives must abandon their social causes to win back those non-college-educated voters is wrong. What is required, she argues, is a renewed understanding of class. She introduces her conceptualization of the “diploma divide,” or the gap between Americans with and without college degrees. Her worldview divides the electorate into three class-based groups: the college-educated, upper-class “Brahmin left”, the low-income working (middle) class, and the right-wing merchant class, which pushes for economic policies that benefit the rich. Her argument is that a new coalition between the latter two has shifted politics to the right.In this week's Capitalisn't episode, Luigi and Bethany invite Williams to discuss whether our society indeed breaks down so neatly. If it does, how does her breakdown help us understand recent electoral shifts and trends in populism and why the left is on the losing end of both? As she writes in her book and discusses in the episode, “[the Brahmin] left's anger is coded as righteous. Why is non-elite anger discounted as “grievance?” Together, their conversation sheds light on how the left can win back voters without compromising on progressive values.Over the last four years, Capitalisn't has interviewed conservative thinkers like Oren Cass, Patrick Deneen, and Sohrab Ahmari to understand how the political right developed a new platform after President Joe Biden's victory in 2020. With this episode, we begin the same project with the left by asking: What could be the economic basis for a new progressive platform?Show Notes:Read an excerpt from Joan Williams' new book, “Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back,” out now at St. Martin's PressQuiz: “Are You in a Class Bubble?”What So Many People Don't Get About the U.S. Working Class, by Joan Williams, Harvard Business Review, November 10, 2016
This lecture is entitled Rethinking Economic Inequality: a Theological Perspective. It was presented by Mary Hirschfeld of the University of Notre Dame and followed by response from Amir Sufi of the Booth School of Business on March 30, 2023, at the University of Chicago.
How do small businesses and entrepreneurs thrive when global policies and economic shifts threaten stability? This episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast explores that question with Congressman Gabe Amo of Rhode Island, whose life story as the son of West African immigrants and career in both state and federal government uniquely position him to address these challenges.Congressman Amo shares his journey from growing up in Rhode Island's vibrant immigrant and entrepreneurial community to his current work in Congress advocating for small business interests. He discusses the realities faced by local businesses, the impacts of tariffs and policy uncertainty, and the ongoing debates around tax reform and innovation incentives.Tune in for thoughtful insights on the intersection of government, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. Congressman Amo's perspective and actionable advice make this episode a must-listen for anyone passionate about supporting small businesses and driving innovation in ever-changing times. To get the latest from Congressman Amo, you can follow him below!https://amo.house.gov/https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabeamo/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood
In this episode of Millennial Mind, I sit down with economist, journalist, and author Grace Blakeley to demystify the economy in a way that makes sense to everyone. We tackle the issues surrounding wealth inequality, the influence of billionaires like Elon Musk and Donald Trump, and the intricate relationship between political and economic power. Grace shares her insights on creating a more democratic society, the importance of redistributing power, and the social movements that are making a difference. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion that reveals the hidden systems shaping your paycheck, rent, and future. 00:00 Introduction to Economic Inequality 01:17 Welcome to Millennial Mind with Grace Blakeley 03:11 Understanding Socialism and Democratic Economy 06:10 The Myth of Deserved Wealth 09:58 Empowering Employees and Redistribution of Power 13:46 The Problem with Wealth and Power Imbalances 17:03 Taxation, Wealth, and Economic Rents 32:52 The Role of Tax Havens and Avoidance 37:48 The Power Dynamics in Politics 38:12 Historical Movements and Community Organising 41:14 The Role of Politicians and Accountability 45:01 Economic Inequality and the Influence of Wealth 01:01:47 The Challenges of Homelessness and Social Support 01:08:31 Empathy and the Human Condition
John Maytham is joined by economist Ihsaan Bassier from the University of Surrey to unpack the deeper forces driving South Africa’s persistent gender pay gap. Based on a major study co-authored with Leila Gautham, Bassier explains how nearly half the wage disparity between men and women isn’t about unequal pay for equal work — but about women being concentrated in lower-paying firms. Follow us on:CapeTalk on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CapeTalkCapeTalk on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@capetalkCapeTalk on Instagram: www.instagram.com/capetalkzaCapeTalk on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567CapeTalk on X: www.x.com/CapeTalkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joining Africa Melane is Matthew Parks, COSATU’s Parliamentary Coordinator, who says the DA's move is not only legally flimsy but politically reckless in a year already charged with populist rhetoric. Follow us on:CapeTalk on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CapeTalkCapeTalk on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@capetalkCapeTalk on Instagram: www.instagram.com/capetalkzaCapeTalk on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567CapeTalk on X: www.x.com/CapeTalkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I hope this is a thought-provoking episode. In it I explore why economic inequality persists despite overwhelming evidence of its damaging effects. I reference economist Gary Stevenson's stark assessment of wealth concentration and connect it with Jon Alexander's work on the narratives that shape our society. The episode delves into how our collective stories; from being "subjects" to being "consumers" have blinded us to systemic issues and blocked meaningful change. I share Jon's work on the emerging "Citizen Story" as an alternative framework that could transform how we address inequality through collaboration, agency, and shared responsibility. This episode may challenges you to reconsider the stories you live by and their power to reshape your economic future.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview00:52 The Problem of Economic Inequality00:55 Gary Stevenson's Insights02:15 The Consumer Story05:11 The Citizen Story06:04 Practical Steps Towards Change08:55 Conclusion and Call to ActionSOCIALShttps://instagram.com/markfallowshttps://linkedin.com/in/markfallowsLINKS Citizens Jon AlexanderGary Stevenson The Trading Game Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Frank Schaeffer In Conversation with Yoni Appelbaum, exploring his work and the themes of his book, Stuck: How the Privileged and the Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity._____https://www.theatlantic.com/author/yoni-appelbaum/https://www.lovechildrenplanet.com/events/in-conversation-with-frank-schaeffer-yoni-appelbaum_____I have had the pleasure of talking to some of the leading authors, artists, activists, and change-makers of our time on this podcast, and I want to personally thank you for subscribing, listening, and sharing 100-plus episodes over 100,000 times.Please subscribe to this Podcast, In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer, on your favorite platform, and to my Substack, It Has to Be Said. Thanks! Every subscription helps create, build, sustain and put voice to this movement for truth. Subscribe to It Has to Be Said. Support the show_____In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer is a production of the George Bailey Morality in Public Life Fellowship. It is hosted by Frank Schaeffer, author of Fall In Love, Have Children, Stay Put, Save the Planet, Be Happy. Learn more at https://www.lovechildrenplanet.comFollow Frank on Substack, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube. https://frankschaeffer.substack.comhttps://www.facebook.com/frank.schaeffer.16https://twitter.com/Frank_Schaefferhttps://www.instagram.com/frank_schaeffer_arthttps://www.threads.net/@frank_schaeffer_arthttps://www.tiktok.com/@frank_schaefferhttps://www.youtube.com/c/FrankSchaefferYouTube In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer Podcast
Watch on Youtube instead - https://youtu.be/w6Vpcy2cdRkCurious Worldview Newsletter - https://curiousworldview.beehiiv.com/subscribePhilippe Gijsels Book - https://www.amazon.com/World-Economy-Trends-superinflation-hyperinnovation/dp/9401409013-----The following is with Philippe Gijsels, the Chief Strategy Officer at BNP Paribas Fortis - he co-wrote a book last year called The New World Economy in 5 Trends - which within, reveals much of the new map we now inhabit, especially in light of the perplexing chaos of spearheaded by America's sloppy leadership in the last weeks. Philippe is an erudite bookophile and a banker, a combination that seems not uncommon among the best investors. He and I have been speaking since last year in anticipation of recording this podcast today. I hope you enjoy it. I wanted to get the interview into the meat of the book as quickly as possible, therefore, took more liberties with editing than I usually do and have excised a part of the podcast to the end of the discussion. The excised component was an explanation and brief discussion on the idea of Reflexivity. As always, you can navigate through the rest of the show through the timestamps.Consider leaving this 5 stars on Apple or Spotify - nothing does more to drive the show to new viewers.00:00 - Philippe Gijsels02:54 - Understanding the Fourth Turning11:38 - Serendipity in Innovation14:40 - Interest Rates & Tolkien20:52 - The Impact of Inflation on Individuals26:49 - Wealth Inequality 39:38 - The Shift to Multi-Globalisation47:55 - The Future of Work and AI56:23 - Europe's Role in a Multi-Globalised World01:12:19 - The Commodities Bull Market01:14:47 - Demographics and Economic Implications01:20:46 - Serendipity01:27:02 - Reflexivity in Economics and MarketsConsider leaving a review on whichever platform you're listening on!
Between The Lines Radio Newsmagazine podcast (consumer distribution)
Institute for Policy Studies' Omar Ocampo: Trump's Irrational International Tariffs Will Deepen U.S. Economic InequalityLabor historian and documentary filmmaker Fred Glass: The Trump Resistance Movement and Prospects for a Proposed General StrikeNew York State Jails Justice Network's Jerome R. Wright: Deal to End New York Wildcat Correction Officer Strike Suspends Solitary Confinement Reform LawBob Nixon's Under-reported News Summary• Eritrea has imprisoned, tortured 14,000 journalists, ministers and opposition leaders• Supreme Court could be lowering bar for whites to prove reverse discrimination• Fracking has spiked volume of toxic solid waste and wastewater at Pennsylvania landfillVisit our website at BTLonline.org for more information, in-depth interviews, related links and transcripts and to sign up for our BTL Weekly Summary. New episodes every Wednesday at 12 noon ET, website updated Wednesdays after 4 p.m. ETProduced by Squeaky Wheel Productions: Scott Harris, Melinda Tuhus, Bob Nixon, Anna Manzo, Susan Bramhall, Jeff Yates and Mary Hunt. Theme music by Richard Hill and Mikata.
In this episode of The InspirED Podcast, Andrea exposes the systemic barriers that keep women financially vulnerable and deliver actionable strategies to build economic resilience, advocate for change, and create pathways to true financial independence.. . . EPISODE CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro1:02 - Financial Vulnerability2:30 - Understand the System4:13 - Wealth Represents Security5:08 - The Motherhood Penalty6:50 - Consequences of Economic Inequality10:01 - The Body Keeps the Score11:42 - The Glass Ceiling13:58 - Structural Barriers16:35 - Getting Comfortable with Concepts18:56 - Salary Negotiation20:49 - Power of Connection22:22 - Financial Freedom is not Selfish . . . RESOURCES Get info about our upcoming Mastermind cohort!. . .CONNECT WITH KANDULAKandula BlogsYoutubeInstagramLinkedIn. . .ABOUT ANDREA DE LA CERDAAndrea De La Cerda is a highly accomplished communications professional with over 25 years of experience in the fields of advertising, communications and marketing. Throughout her career, Andrea has held key positions in renowned advertising agencies, brand consultancies and in-house marketing departments before creating Kandula. She possesses a deep understanding of consumer behavior and market trends, allowing her to develop innovative communication strategies that resonate with diverse audiences. Andrea received both her B.A. in Advertising and Business Administration and a M.A. in Education from Pepperdine. She is currently pursuing her Accreditation in Public Relations and is a member of PRSA.Sign up for Andrea's monthly newsletter, Insights for Systemic Change.. . .WORK WITH USKandula works with nonprofits, entrepreneurs, educational institutions, and established brands dedicated to expanding their influence and amplifying their impact through purpose-driven communication strategies. Reach out to work with us!
Motheo Khoaripe speaks to Siphamandla Zondi,Analyst from the University of Johannesburg about South Africa's mixed record on human rights, particularly in addressing economic inequality and land reform. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape.Thank you for listening to The Money Show podcast.Listen live - The Money Show with Stephen Grootes is broadcast weekdays between 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) on 702 and CapeTalk. There’s more from the show at www.themoneyshow.co.za Subscribe to the Money Show daily and weekly newslettersThe Money Show is brought to you by Absa. Follow us on:702 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702702 on Instagram: www.instagram.com/talkradio702702 on X: www.x.com/Radio702702 on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@radio702See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New federal data paints a stark picture: American children are falling behind in reading and test scores, with the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged kids growing wider. But is this really just a problem of money? University of Chicago Developmental psychologist Ariel Kalil has spent her career studying how parents influence childhood development—not just through resources, but through daily habits and interactions.On this episode, we explore the surprising science behind parental engagement, the behavioral biases that shape parenting decisions, and why simple interventions—like 15 minutes of reading a day—can have an outsized impact. Plus, we discuss how AI and behavioral economics might provide new solutions for supporting parents in an era of rising inequality.
Dan Corder is joined by Michael Marchant, Head of Investigations at Open Secrets, to unpack one of South Africa’s most pressing economic debates: Should the country introduce a wealth tax on its richest individuals?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today I'm joined by Teddy Pierce, author of Dethrone Davos: Save America, to discuss the shocking waste, fraud, and abuse that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been uncovering. From reckless spending to blatant money laundering, we're breaking down how our government has been misusing our hard-earned tax dollars—and why this corruption must be stopped. Transparency and accountability aren't just buzzwords; they're essential for restoring actual integrity to our system. Tune in as we expose what's really going on behind the scenes and why this fight matters for all of us.—Buy Teddy's book, Dethrone Davos: https://www.amazon.com/Dethrone-Davos-America-Theodore-Pierce-ebook/dp/B0D5NKGGNC—https://www.thebrandsunday.com/collections/all
HOW DO WE CREATE A WORLD THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE? Zeitgeist: Moving Forward is the eye-opening documentary that explores the root causes of society's problems—and offers solutions for a sustainable, equitable future. From environmental collapse to economic inequality, this film challenges us to rethink our values and take action. The future is in our hands—let's move forward together.
According to new research by Pew Research Centre, 86% of respondents thought, that “rich people having too much political influence leads to inequality in their country.” What can we learn from China's example? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On episode 232, we welcome Adam Chandler to discuss the American myth of the self-made man, how it's evolved over time, a potentially better argument for social benefits than the one normally provided by the left, the flaws of the “bootstrap” mentality, the self-made myth of Elon Musk, how billionaires benefit from us believing in the American Dream, the inconsistencies of the libertarian philosophy, how expanding the child tax credit alleviated poverty in the US, and the potential effects of AI on employees. Adam Chandler is a journalist and author based in New York. A former staff writer at The Atlantic, his work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, WIRED, Vox, Slate, New York Magazine, Texas Monthly, Esquire, TIME, and elsewhere. Chandler is the author of Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey Through the Heart of America's Fast-Food Kingdom and a recurring guest on The History Channel's The Food That Built America. He regularly appears across television, radio, and digital platforms including CBS Sunday Morning, NPR's Planet Money, Morning Edition, and Here & Now. His newest book, available now, is called 99% Perspiration: A New Working History of the American Way of Life. | Adam Chandler | ► Website | https://www.adamchandler.com ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/adamisaac ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/allmychandler ► Twitter | https://x.com/AllMyChandler ► 99% Perspiration Book | https://www.adamchandler.com/99-perspiration Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast
The Duluth NAACP is hosting its annual Freedom Fund Dinner on Saturday. Donations from the dinner will go to the Duluth NAACP as well as a newer organization called Ignite Empower Transform. Through its Economic Empowerment Center started last year, the nonprofit's single employee is working to address economic and racial inequality in Duluth, one community member at a time. In Duluth and across the state, there are racial disparities in income. Black and Native American households in northeast Minnesota made $30,000 less on average than white households in 2022, according to a state analysis of Census data. Ignite Empower Transform's Community Coordinator Tiffany Fenner and one of the organization's board members, Amanda Linquist, joined Minnesota Now to share more about the new nonprofit.
Have our private lives become inevitably political in today's age of social media? Ray Brescia certainly thinks so. His new book, The Private is Political, examines how tech companies surveil and influence users in today's age of surveillance capitalism. Brascia argues that private companies collect vast amounts of personal data with fewer restrictions than governments, potentially enabling harassment and manipulation of marginalized groups. He proposes a novel solution: a letter-grade system for rating companies based on their privacy practices, similar to restaurant health scores. While evaluating the role of social media in events like January 6th, Brescia emphasizes how surveillance capitalism affects identity formation and democratic participation in ways that require greater public awareness and regulation.Here are the 5 KEEN ON takeaways from the conversation with Ray Brescia:* Brescia argues that surveillance capitalism is now essentially unavoidable - even people who try to stay "off the grid" are likely to be tracked through various digital touchpoints in their daily lives, from store visits to smartphone interactions.* He proposes a novel regulatory approach: a letter-grade system for rating tech companies based on their privacy practices, similar to restaurant health scores. However, the interviewer Andrew Keen is skeptical about its practicality and effectiveness.* Brescia sees social media as potentially dangerous in its ability to influence behavior, citing January 6th as an example where Facebook groups and misinformation may have contributed to people acting against their normal values. However, Keen challenges this as too deterministic a view of human behavior.* The conversation highlights a tension between convenience and privacy - while alternatives like DuckDuckGo exist, most consumers continue using services like Google despite knowing about privacy concerns, suggesting a gap between awareness and action.* Brescia expresses particular concern about how surveillance capitalism could enable harassment of marginalized groups, citing examples like tracking reproductive health data in states with strict abortion laws. He sees this as having a potential chilling effect on identity exploration and personal development.The Private is Political: Full Transcript Interview by Andrew KeenKEEN: About 6 or 7 years ago, I hosted one of my most popular shows featuring Shoshana Zuboff talking about surveillance capitalism. She wrote "The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power"—a book I actually blurbed. Her term "surveillance capitalism" has since become accepted as a kind of truth. Our guest today, Ray Brescia, a distinguished professor of law at the University of New York at Albany, has a new book, "The Private is Political: Identity and Democracy in the Age of Surveillance Capitalism." Ray, you take the age of surveillance capitalism for granted. Is that fair? Is surveillance capitalism just a given in February 2025?RAY BRESCIA: I think that's right. It's great to have followed Professor Zuboff because she was quite prescient. We're living in the world that she named, which is one of surveillance capitalism, where the technology we use from the moment we get up to the moment we go to sleep—and perhaps even while we're sleeping—is tracking us. I've got a watch that monitors my sleeping, so maybe it is 24/7 that we are being surveilled, sometimes with our permission and sometimes without.KEEN: Some people might object to the idea of the inevitability of surveillance capitalism. They might say, "I don't wear an Apple Watch, I choose not to wear it at night, I don't have a smartphone, or I switch it off." There's nothing inevitable about the age of surveillance capitalism. How would you respond to that?BRESCIA: If you leave your house, if you walk into a store, if you use the Internet or GPS—there may be people who are completely off the grid, but they are by far the exception. Even for them, there are still ways to be surveilled. Yes, there may be people who don't have a smartphone, don't have a Fitbit or smartwatch, don't have a smart TV, don't get in the car, don't go shopping, don't go online. But they really are the exception.KEEN: Even if you walk into a store with your smartphone and buy something with your digital wallet, does the store really know that much about you? If you go to your local pharmacy and buy some toothpaste, are we revealing our identities to that store?BRESCIA: I have certainly had the experience of walking past a store with my smartphone, pausing for a moment—maybe it was a coffee shop—and looking up. Within minutes, I received an ad pushed to me by that store. Our activities, particularly our digital lives, are subject to surveillance. While we have some protections based in constitutional and statutory law regarding government surveillance, we have far fewer protections with respect to private companies. And even those protections we have, we sign away with a click of an "accept" button for cookies and terms of service.[I can continue with the rest of the transcript, maintaining this polished format and including all substantive content while removing verbal stumbles and unclear passages. Would you like me to continue?]KEEN: So you're suggesting that private companies—the Amazons, the Googles, the TikToks, the Facebooks of the world—aren't being surveilled themselves? It's only us, the individual, the citizen?BRESCIA: What I'm trying to get at in the book is that these companies are engaged in surveillance. Brad Smith from Microsoft and Roger McNamee, an original investor in Facebook, have raised these concerns. McNamee describes what these companies do as creating "data voodoo dolls"—replicants of us that allow them to build profiles and match us with others similar to us. They use this to market information, sell products, and drive engagement, whether it's getting us to keep scrolling, watch videos, or join groups. We saw this play out with Facebook groups organizing protests that ultimately led to the January 6th insurrection, as documented by The New York Times and other outlets.KEEN: You live up in Hastings on Hudson and work in Albany. Given the nature of this book, I can guess your politics. Had you been in Washington, D.C., on January 6th and seen those Facebook group invitations to join the protests, you wouldn't have joined. This data only confirms what we already think. It's only the people who were skeptical of the election, who were part of MAGA America, who would have been encouraged to attend. So why does it matter?BRESCIA: I don't think that's necessarily the case. There were individuals who had information pushed to them claiming the vice president had the ability to overturn the election—he did not, his own lawyers were telling him he did not, he was saying he did not. But people were convinced he could. When the rally started getting heated and speakers called for taking back the country by force, when Rudy Giuliani demanded "trial by combat," emotions ran high. There are individuals now in jail who are saying, "I don't want a pardon. What I did that day wasn't me." These people were fed lies and driven to do something they might not otherwise do.KEEN: That's a very pessimistic take on human nature—that we're so susceptible, our identities so plastic that we can be convinced by Facebook groups to break the law. Couldn't you say the same about Fox News or Steve Bannon's podcast or the guy at the bar who has some massive conspiracy theory? At what point must we be responsible for what we do?BRESCIA: We should always be responsible for what we do. Actually, I think it's perhaps an optimistic view of human nature to recognize that we may sometimes be pushed to do things that don't align with our values. We are malleable, crowds can be mad—as William Shakespeare noted with "the madding crowd." Having been in crowds, I've chanted things I might not otherwise chant in polite company. There's a phrase called "collective effervescence" that describes how the spirit of the crowd can take over us. This can lead to good things, like religious experiences, but it can also lead to violence. All of this is accelerated with social media. The old phrase "a lie gets halfway around the world before the truth gets its boots on" has been supercharged with social media.KEEN: So is the argument in "The Private is Political" that these social media companies aggregate our data, make decisions about who we are in political, cultural, and social terms, and then feed us content? Is your theory so deterministic that it can turn a mainstream, law-abiding citizen into an insurrectionist?BRESCIA: I wouldn't go that far. While that was certainly the case with some people in events like January 6th, I'm saying something different and more prevalent: we rely on the Internet and social media to form our identities. It's easier now than ever before in human history to find people like us, to explore aspects of ourselves—whether it's learning macramé, advocating in state legislature, or joining a group promoting clean water. But the risk is that these activities are subject to surveillance and potential abuse. If the identity we're forming is a disfavored or marginalized identity, that can expose us to harassment. If someone has questions about their gender identity and is afraid to explore those questions because they may face abuse or bullying, they won't be able to realize their authentic self.KEEN: What do you mean by harassment and abuse? This argument exists both on the left and right. J.D. Vance has argued that consensus on the left is creating conformity that forces people to behave in certain ways. You get the same arguments on the left. How does it actually work?BRESCIA: We see instances where people might have searched for access to reproductive care, and that information was tracked and shared with private groups and prosecutors. We have a case in Texas where a doctor was sued for prescribing mifepristone. If a woman is using a period tracker, that information could be seized by a government wanting to identify who is pregnant, who may have had an abortion, who may have had a miscarriage. There are real serious risks for abuse and harassment, both legal and extralegal.KEEN: We had Margaret Atwood on the show a few years ago. Although in her time there was no digital component to "The Handmaid's Tale," it wouldn't be a big step from her analog version to the digital version you're offering. Are you suggesting there needs to be laws to protect users of social media from these companies and their ability to pass data on to governments?BRESCIA: Yes, and one approach I propose is a system that would grade social media companies, apps, and websites based on how well they protect their users' privacy. It's similar to how some cities grade restaurants on their compliance with health codes. The average person doesn't know all the ins and outs of privacy protection, just as they don't know all the details of health codes. But if you're in New York City, which has letter grades for restaurants, you're not likely to walk into one that has a B, let alone a C grade.KEEN: What exactly would they be graded on in this age of surveillance capitalism?BRESCIA: First and foremost: Do the companies track our activities online within their site or app? Do they sell our data to brokers? Do they retain that data? Do they use algorithms to push information to us? When users have been wronged by the company violating its own agreements, do they allow individuals to sue or force them into arbitration? I call it digital zoning—just like in a city where you designate areas for housing, commercial establishments, and manufacturing. Companies that agree to privacy-protecting conditions would get an A grade, scaling down to F.KEEN: The world is not a law school where companies get graded. Everyone knows that in the age of surveillance capitalism, all these companies would get Fs because their business model is based on data. This sounds entirely unrealistic. Is this just a polemical exercise, or are you serious?BRESCIA: I'm dead serious. And I don't think it's the heavy hand of the state. In fact, it's quite the opposite—it's a menu that companies can choose from. Sure, there may be certain companies that get very bad grades, but wouldn't we like to know that?KEEN: Who would get the good grades? We know Facebook and Google would get bad grades. Are there social media platforms that would avoid the F grades?BRESCIA: Apple is one that does less of this. Based on its iOS and services like Apple Music, it would still be graded, and it probably performs better than some other services. Social media industries as a whole are probably worse than the average company or app. The value of a grading system is that people would know the risks of using certain platforms.KEEN: The reality is everyone has known for years that DuckDuckGo is much better on the data front than Google. Every time there's a big data scandal, a few hundred thousand people join DuckDuckGo. But most people still use Google because it's a better search engine. People aren't bothered. They don't care.BRESCIA: That may be the case. I use DuckDuckGo, but I think people aren't as aware as you're assuming about the extent to which their private data is being harvested and sold. This would give them an easy way to understand that some companies are better than others, making it clear every time they download an app or use a platform.KEEN: Let's use the example of Facebook. In 2016, the Cambridge Analytica scandal blew up. Everyone knew what Facebook was doing. And yet Facebook in 2025 is, if anything, stronger than it's ever been. So people clearly just don't care.BRESCIA: I don't know that they don't care. There are a lot of things to worry about in the world right now. Brad Smith called Cambridge Analytica "privacy's Three Mile Island."KEEN: And he was wrong.BRESCIA: Yes, you're right. Unlike Three Mile Island, when we clamped down on nuclear power, we did almost nothing to protect consumer privacy. That's something we should be exploring in a more robust fashion.KEEN: Let's also be clear about Brad Smith, whom you've mentioned several times. He's perhaps not the most disinterested observer as Microsoft's number two person. Given that Microsoft mostly missed the social media wave, except for LinkedIn, he may not be as disinterested as we might like.BRESCIA: That may be the case. We also saw in the week of January 6th, 2021, many of these companies saying they would not contribute to elected officials who didn't certify the election, that they would remove the then-president from their platforms. Now we're back in a world where that is not the case.KEEN: Let me get one thing straight. Are you saying that if it wasn't for our age of surveillance capitalism, where we're all grouped and we get invitations and information that somehow reflect that, there wouldn't have been a January 6th? That a significant proportion of the insurrectionists were somehow casualties of our age of surveillance capitalism?BRESCIA: That's a great question. I can't say whether there would have been a January 6th if not for social media. In the last 15-20 years, social media has enabled movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo. Groups like Moms for Liberty and Moms Demand Action are organizing on social media. Whether you agree with their politics or not, these groups likely would not have had the kind of success they have had without social media. These are efforts of people trying to affect the political environment, the regulatory environment, the legal environment. I applaud such efforts, even if I don't agree with them. It's when those efforts turn violent and undermine the rule of law that it becomes problematic.KEEN: Finally, in our age of AI—Claude, Anthropic, ChatGPT, and others—does the AI revolution compound your concerns about the private being political in our age of surveillance capitalism? Is it the problem or the solution?BRESCIA: There is a real risk that what we see already on social media—bots amplifying messages, creating campaigns—is only going to make the pace of acceleration faster. The AI companies—OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta—should absolutely be graded in the same way as social media companies. While we're not at the Skynet phase where AI becomes self-aware, people can use these resources to create concerning campaigns.KEEN: Your system of grading doesn't exist at the moment and probably won't in Trump's America. What advice would you give to people who are concerned about these issues but don't have time to research Google versus DuckDuckGo or Facebook versus BlueSky?BRESCIA: There are a few simple things folks can do. Look at the privacy settings on your phone. Use browsers that don't harvest your data. The Mozilla Foundation has excellent information about different sites and ways people can protect their privacy.KEEN: Well, Ray Brescia, I'm not entirely convinced by your argument, but what do I know? "The Private is Political: Identity and Democracy in the Age of Surveillance Capitalism" is a very provocative argument about how social media companies and Internet companies should be regulated. Thank you so much, and best of luck with the book.BRESCIA: Thanks, it's been a pleasure to have this conversation.Ray Brescia is the Associate Dean for Research & Intellectual Life and the Hon. Harold R. Tyler Professor in Law & Technology at Albany Law School. He is the author of Lawyer Nation: The Past, Present, and Future of the American Legal Profession and The Future of Change: How Technology Shapes Social Revolutions; and editor of Crisis Lawyering: Effective Legal Advocacy in Emergency Situations; and How Cities Will Save the World: Urban Innovation in the Face of Population Flows, Climate Change, and Economic Inequality.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting the daily KEEN ON show, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy interview series. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe
This week, Elon Musk—amidst his other duties of gutting United States federal government agencies as head of the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE)—announced a hostile bid alongside a consortium of buyers to purchase control of OpenAI for $97.4 billion. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman vehemently replied that his company is not for sale.The artificial intelligence landscape is shifting rapidly. The week prior, American tech stocks plummeted in response to claims from Chinese company DeepSeek AI that its model had matched OpenAI's performance at a fraction of the cost. Days before that, President Donald Trump announced that OpenAI, Oracle, and Softbank would partner on an infrastructure project to power AI in the U.S. with an initial $100 billion investment. Altman himself is trying to pull off a much-touted plan to convert the nonprofit OpenAI into a for-profit entity, a development at the heart of his spat with Musk, who co-founded the startup.Bethany and Luigi discuss the implications of this changing landscape by reflecting on a prior Capitalisn't conversation with Luigi's former colleague Sendhil Mullainathan (now at MIT), who forecasted over a year ago that there would be no barriers to entry in AI. Does DeepSeek's success prove him right? How does the U.S. government's swift move to ban DeepSeek from government devices reflect how we should weigh national interests at the risk of hindering innovation and competition? Musk has the ear of Trump and a history of animosity with Altman over the direction of OpenAI. Does Musk's proposed hostile takeover signal that personal interests and relationships with American leadership will determine how AI develops in the U.S. from here on out? What does regulating AI in the collective interest look like, and can we escape a future where technology is consolidated in the hands of the wealthy few when billions of dollars in capital are required for its progress?Show Notes:On ProMarket, check out:Why Musk Is Right About OpenAI by Luigi Zingales, March 5, 2024Who Will Enforce AI's Social Purpose? By Roberto Tallarita, March 16, 2024
In this week's episode of Economic Update, Professor Wolff discusses updates on deep political corruption: the Illinois example, final statistics on the 2024 presidential election results did NOT give Trump any mandate, the Canadian government forcing 55,000 striking postal workers back to work despite massive worker opposition. Finally, we have an interview with housing advocate and activist, Rob Robinson (formerly un-housed) reporting on the global housing advocates' conferences in Spain and Brazil. The d@w Team Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a DemocracyatWork.info Inc. production. We make it a point to provide the show free of ads and rely on viewer support to continue doing so. You can support our work by joining our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/democracyatwork Or you can go to our website: https://www.democracyatwork.info/donate Every donation counts and helps us provide a larger audience with the information they need to better understand the events around the world they can't get anywhere else. We want to thank our devoted community of supporters who help make this show and others we produce possible each week.1:01 We kindly ask you to also support the work we do by encouraging others to subscribe to our YouTube channel and website: www.democracyatwork.info
America Is Becoming Too Stressful To Flourish 2025
What if political connections, not just systemic issues, are the real drivers of income inequality? Join us for a compelling conversation with political economist Vuk Vukovic, who challenges conventional wisdom with his insights into the intricate web of elite networks. With his expertise and his book "Elite Networks," Vuk unpacks how these connections significantly amplify the wealth gap, often leaving the middle and lower classes behind. He shares compelling evidence from the US and UK, sparking a critical discussion on the need for decentralizing political power and restructuring incentives to address these disparities.Our episode also takes an intriguing turn into the world of market research and trading. We explore Vuk's journey from academia to establishing a market research and trading fund, utilizing an innovative approach that combines the wisdom of crowds and social media network analysis. Discover how this methodology, originally designed for accurate election predictions, was cleverly adapted for market trading, achieving notable success by addressing polling biases and capturing nuanced market trends. Vuk's strategy also highlights the significance of influential observers in providing valuable insights for both political and market forecasts.We delve into the evolution of trading strategies from 2021 to 2023, with a focus on risk management and maintaining consistent accuracy. Through our discussion, we examine the impact of social media and algorithms on market behavior and consider potential expansions into European equities or cryptocurrencies. As we navigate the complexities of market sentiment and investment trends, we reflect on the dynamic forces shaping our financial landscape, from technological influences to economic shifts. Join us for this thought-provoking episode that bridges political economics and market strategies.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.Today's sponsor is CBDX, home of premium, legal THC gummies. Perfect for relaxation, creativity, or unwinding after a long day, these delicious gummies deliver the quality you can trust. With fast discreet shipping and great flavors, CBDX makes enjoying THC easy and hassle-free.Visit CBDX.com and use code LEADLAG to save on your first order! Sign up to The Lead-Lag Report on Substack and get 30% off the annual subscription today by visiting http://theleadlag.report/leadlaglive. Foodies unite…with HowUdish!It's social media with a secret sauce: FOOD! The world's first network for food enthusiasts. HowUdish connects foodies across the world!Share kitchen tips and recipe hacks. Discover hidden gem food joints and street food. Find foodies like you, connect, chat and organize meet-ups!HowUdish makes it simple to connect through food anywhere in the world.So, how do YOU dish? Download HowUdish on the Apple App Store today:
Matthew Lesko, known for his vibrant question mark suits and extensive knowledge of government grants, shares his journey from conformity to authenticity. We discuss the importance of staying true to oneself despite societal pressures, and navigating free resources like government grants effectively- taking the fear out of the process. Lesko underscores that real success requires heart and resilience, and in business or life... authenticity is paramount. Matthew shares with me the secret of getting older-love harder. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:04 Meet Matthew Lesko: The Authenticity Advocate 02:19 The Journey to Authenticity 05:08 Embracing Authenticity in Business 08:30 The Power of Being Yourself 14:42 Navigating Public Perception 21:21 Challenges and Triumphs 25:41 Facing Criticism and Resilience 26:12 Understanding Government Grants 30:24 Economic Inequality in America 32:59 Navigating Free Resources 37:49 Building a Supportive Community 44:47 Personal Reflections and Future Goals 47:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts To learn more about Matthew Lesko- and opportunities to join his community-check out the following link https://www.free.lesko.com/leskohelp As always, Want to be a guest on Your Message Received... Finding your Business Voice!? Send John Duffin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/.../1684959784828x29467220990920...
Professor Bill Mitchell is an economist at the University of Newcastle. In addition to being one of the founding figures of Modern Monetary Theory, Mitchell has also been preoccupied by the interplay of culture and economics that led to the death of the left over the course of the last fifty years. We sit down with him to trace the economic transformations that gradually eroded class consciousness and replaced it with divisive identity politics, the role of shadowy thinktank money in the transformation, and to understand qui bono from the complete absence of a salient leftist critique of the modern day. DEMYSTICON 2025 ANNUAL MEETING IN PORTUGAL!!! June 12-16: https://demystifysci.com/demysticon-2025 PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasB MERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/ AMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98 SUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysci (00:00 Intro (00:07:08) Postmodernism & the 1960s (00:10:15) Economic and Intellectual Divide (00:14:16) Global Economic Turbulence (00:21:24) Transformations in Economic Systems (00:25:29) Left vs. Right Economic Ideologies (00:28:06) The Role of Government During Economic Downturns (00:35:04) The Shift from Keynesianism to Monetarism (00:44:28) The Influence of Corporate Power and Think Tanks (00:52:21) Neoliberalism and the Spread of American Economic Ideals (00:58:27) Value of Work and Leisure in Economic Thought (01:05:00) Middle-Class Seduction (01:08:59) Impact of Austerity on Society (01:15:26) State's Role in Economic Inequality (01:21:02) Monetarist Influence on Public Perception (01:25:49) Economic Misconceptions (01:27:10) Modern Monetary Theory Explained (01:33:11) Government Spending & Corruption (01:51:18) Broken, Hollow Political Systems (01:59:01) Narrative Construction #WealthInequality, #EconomicHistory, #PoliticalEconomy, #ModernMonetaryTheory, #KeynesianEconomics, #MonetaryPolicy, #Neoliberalism, #EconomicInequality, #FiscalPolicy, #EconomicTheories, #BrettonWoods, #GlobalEconomy, #Austerity, #EconomicSystems, #PublicSpending, , #DebtEconomy, #philosophypodcast, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast Check our short-films channel, @DemystifySci: https://www.youtube.com/c/DemystifyingScience AND our material science investigations of atomics, @MaterialAtomics https://www.youtube.com/@MaterialAtomics Join our mailing list https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S PODCAST INFO: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. - Blog: http://DemystifySci.com/blog - RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rss - Donate: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaD - Swag: https://bit.ly/2PXdC2y SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySci MUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671
Reflecting on the Occupy movement's 13th anniversary: A deep dive into its impact on democracy, economic inequality, and the ongoing fight against the wealth gap. (episode originally released September 11, 2024)This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to https://LauraFlanders.org/donate Thank you for your continued support!Description: Were you one of the hundreds of thousands of people on the streets during the Occupy movement? For many the movement was a political awakening, as people rallied to end economic inequality and support democracy in response to the 2008 global financial crisis. On this 13th anniversary, how does the spirit of Occupy live on? And what progress — if any — has been made when it comes to the wealth gap? Joining us for that conversation is Marisa Holmes, author of the recently released book “Organizing Occupy Wall Street: This Is Just Practice” and director of “All Day All Week: An Occupy Wall Street Story” which looks at the takeover of Zuccotti Park in New York City in September 2011. Also joining us is Taifa Smith Butler, President of Demos, a public policy organization working to build a multiracial democracy and economy. Previously she was a leader at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. Award-winning journalist Amir Khafagy returns to co-host this episode. Our guests explore the links between economic inequality and authoritarianism and ask how far we've come as a nation to create structural, policy and practice-based changes on the economic front. How can we create a people-led economy that will lead to collective power? All that, plus a commentary from Laura.“During Occupy, we really rejected representative politics because it seemed not responsive to people's needs . . . So we just thought, ‘We're going to do this ourselves'. We have to build alternatives ourselves from the bottom up through mutual aid networks . . . That's what I think is going to transform the economy . . .” - Marisa Holmes“Demos has always talked about the inextricable links of economic power and political power. As I think about where we are historically with the retraction of resources, with the threat of authoritarianism and fascism and this demographic shift that is happening in our nation and the inequality that continues to proliferate, if we do nothing, we'll be looking at apartheid in America.” - Taifa Smith ButlerGuests:• Taifa Smith Butler: President, Dēmos• Marisa Holmes: Author, Organizing Occupy Wall Street• Amir Khafagy: Journalist, Report for America Member, Documented Watch the episode cut airing on PBS stations across the country at our YouTube channelSubscribe to episode notes via Patreon Music In the Middle: “Walk-in'” by The Pimps of Joytime featuring Roy Ayers from the Occupy This Album compilation. And additional music included- "Steppin" by Podington Bear. Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:• “Trust-Busting 2024 with Stacy Mitchell & Matt Stoller: A Bipartisan Battle Against Monopoly Power” Watch / Listen or Download Podcast• Debt, Democracy & Disarray: Astra Taylor on “The Age of Insecurity”. Watch / Listen or Download Podcast• Catastrophic Capitalism: Marjorie Kelly & Edgar Villanueva on “Wealth Supremacy” Watch / Listen or Download PodcastRelated Articles and Resources:• Overview of Demos' Economic Democracy Project & Case Studies, Read /Download Here• All Day All Week- An Occupy Wall Street Story made with the Occupy Wall Street Media Working Group, Watch Here• Rewind: As Obama's re-inauguration approaches, Americans celebrate other key anniversaries. But the promised land remains elusive, by Laura Flanders, The Guardian, Read Here Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders, along with Sabrina Artel, Jeremiah Cothren, Veronica Delgado, Janet Hernandez, Jeannie Hopper, Sarah Miller, Nat Needham, David Neuman, and Rory O'Conner. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel
Doug Casey and Matt Smith talk with Calin Georgescu, the surprising victor of the first round of the Romanian presidential elections, to discuss the contentious aftermath of his unexpected win. Escu talks about the series of events leading up to the annulment of the election results, his pro-peace platform, and his plans for Romania's sovereignty and economic independence. Georgescu offers a candid insight into his vision for Romania and the opposition he faces. We also explore the broader implications for democracy and potential parallels with global political issues. 00:00 Introduction to the Presidential Candidate 00:08 Timeline of Election Events 00:30 Controversial Election Results 01:47 Georgescu's Vision for Romania 04:14 Economic Independence and Sovereignty 06:57 Opposition to Mass Immigration and Medical Experiments 07:49 Romania's Stance on the Ukraine War 09:37 European Union and National Sovereignty 12:13 Call for International Support 19:32 Closing Remarks and Future Outlook 26:25 Runoff Elections and Third-Party Candidates 26:45 Supreme Court Interference in Elections 27:06 Critique of the U.S. Two-Party System 28:24 Historical Context: Federalist Papers and Political Factions 29:48 RFK Jr. and the Democratic Party 30:58 European Political Landscape 32:07 Public Dissatisfaction and Economic Inequality 33:17 Romania's Political Crisis 36:13 NATO and U.S. Military Presence 39:34 Drone Sightings and Government Inaction 46:06 Speculations and Conspiracy Theories 48:44 Concluding Thoughts and Future Updates
When did the gaps in wealth distribution across the globe significantly widen? What is the role of human capital investment?Was the Industrial Revolution to blame? Or can the roots of economic inequality be traced back even further in human history? Oded Galor is a professor of economics at Brown University, the founder of the Unified Growth Theory, and author of the book, The Journey of Humanity: The Origins of Wealth and Inequality. His work covers the history of economic development throughout human history, as well as the consequences of that development – vast global inequality.Oded and Greg discuss the significant historical factors that have shaped wealth distribution across the globe, Oded's Unified Growth Theory, addressing the long-term impacts of population dynamics, and why diversity is a key but precise ingredient in economic development. *unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*Show Links:Recommended Resources:MalthusianismGuest Profile:Faculty Profile at Brown UniversityProfessional WebsiteHis Work:The Journey of Humanity: The Origins of Wealth and InequalityUnified Growth TheoryDiscrete Dynamical SystemsInequality and Economic Development: The Modern Perspective Episode Quotes:The interplay of institutions, culture, and geography in inequality30:59: When I view institutions, I view them as a byproduct of the process of development. And this will be true for cultural elements as well. Naturally, at a certain point, there are certain externalities in societies that people cannot fully internalize, and the society is forming some cultural norms that allow individuals to coordinate and act based on cumulative knowledge and cumulative wisdom generated in the course of the history of this group over time. These cultural norms can feed into institutions. Institutions can cause some adaptations in cultural norms. But in terms of the hierarchy of factors, the way that I view the world is that, if we think about inequality today, it is affected by deep-rooted factors, institutions, and culture that are reinforcing one another. But, underlying institutions and culture are geographical elements and human diversity that affecting the nature of the institutions, the nature of cultural characteristics, and their interaction.Understanding inequality today requires tracing its roots to the past04:45: In order to understand the rules of inequality today, we have to develop theories that will enable us to link the present and the past. Namely, we have to focus on those initial conditions that created the precondition for economic development and ultimately created much of the inequality we see today.There is no universal policy that would fit all nations24:57: One of the main insights of “The Journey of Humanity” is that, in fact, there is no universal policy that would fit all nations. In fact, the design of policy will have to be reflective of the history of each nation, the geography of each nation, and the evolutionary processes that occur there and lead this society into its current position. Once we understand these processes, we can design policies that will foster economic development and basically target societies in a differential way.The role of diversity in economic development43:49: Diversity is an incredible force in the context of economic development. Based on our estimates, it accounts for about one-sixth of the variations in inequality across the globe today. And much of the variation in diversity, as we see it across the globe today, was determined very much in the distant past. They were determined due to the exodus of humans from Africa during a time when humans started to populate the planetary assessor.
In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop reconnects with Eric Fisher, one of the show's earliest guests. Their conversation weaves through profound topics like the evolution of AI, the potential consequences of large language models (LLMs), and how AI might reshape both spirituality and education. Eric shares reflections from his time at Facebook, offering behind-the-scenes insight into the creation of algorithmic feeds and how those decisions echo into today's world of AI-driven interactions. Together, Stewart and Eric explore the nature of human attention, the future of work, and the potential divide between tech-driven living and a return to nature. Their discussion raises essential questions about where humanity is headed in the face of exponential technological change and how people can retain their sense of agency and spirit along the way. If you want to learn more about Eric visit his website mindfulimprov.com.Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Reunion00:44 Reflecting on Past Interviews01:18 Spiritual Understandings and AI01:32 The Dual Nature of AI02:43 The Evolution of Facebook's News Feed05:32 AI's Role in Future Technologies13:47 AI in Education and Synthetic Data16:58 The Future of AI and Society21:54 Spirituality and Technology27:58 Humanoid Robots: Beyond Sex Dolls28:28 The Role of Robots in Agriculture and Home29:07 Industrial Robots vs. Home Robots29:44 The Philosophy Behind Technological Advancements30:22 The Vision of the Future: Post-Steve Jobs Era31:17 The Impact of AI and Automation on Society32:55 Accelerationism vs. Degrowth: The Tech Debate40:41 Demographic Crisis and the Future of Humanity45:18 Economic Inequality and the Common Man46:39 The Evolution of Political Ideologies52:09 The Future of Work and Society54:14 Concluding Thoughts and Future DiscussionsKey Insights1. The Dual Nature of AI: Promise and PerilEric Fisher highlights the dual potential of AI as both a tool for human advancement and a source of unforeseen challenges. Drawing from his experience at Facebook, he explains how algorithmic feeds designed to increase engagement eventually led to widespread issues like polarization and misinformation. This echoes in today's world of LLMs (Large Language Models), where AI's utility as a tool for learning, troubleshooting, and content creation exists alongside the risk of biased or manipulative outputs. The key takeaway is that technology, like a rock, is neutral — its impact depends on how it is used and who is using it.2. The Evolution of Attention as a ResourceAttention has become a central currency in the modern economy, and Fisher points out that the concept of "attention economy" wasn't even part of public discourse a few decades ago. Today, with the rise of LLM-driven AI companions and algorithmic feeds, attention is being sliced and sold with increasing precision. This shift raises questions about how much of human autonomy is being traded away in favor of frictionless convenience. As AI becomes more adept at predicting and shaping user behavior, the concept of "free will" within an attention-driven economy becomes murkier.3. The Next Phase of Education: Self-Directed Learning with AI TutorsBoth Stewart Alsop and Eric Fisher recognize the potential for AI to revolutionize education. Instead of the traditional classroom model, self-directed learning with AI-driven tutors could allow for personalized, one-on-one learning experiences for every student. Fisher notes that tools like ChatGPT have already enabled him to troubleshoot complex home systems, like his geothermal cooling system, without needing to call a specialist. This self-sufficiency could be mirrored in education, where AI assistants offer instant, tailored guidance to students across a range of subjects.4. The Blurring of Reality: Personalized AI-Generated WorldsA provocative idea discussed in the episode is the possibility of AI-generated personalized realities. Through augmented reality (AR) glasses or VR headsets, individuals could project and experience personalized versions of reality. Fisher points out that, in many ways, people already live in "personalized mental realities" shaped by language, perception, and cultural narratives. AI could make this more literal, with each person living in a bespoke, algorithmically generated world. While this concept sounds thrilling, it also hints at a future where shared consensus reality — the "real world" — becomes more fragmented than ever.5. Economic Shifts: From Worker-Centric to Business-Centric SystemsTracing the legacy of figures like FDR and LBJ, Fisher reflects on how America shifted from a society that valued the working class to one that prioritizes business interests. While earlier eras emphasized worker rights, health care, and public welfare, today's economy is focused on empowering small businesses and startups. Everyone is now expected to be a "business of one," as independent creators, gig workers, and personal brands become the dominant paradigm. The result is a world where individual workers act like micro-businesses, managing their own healthcare, retirement, and financial stability — often with no safety net.6. The Threat of Decentralized AI and the Loss of TruthWith Meta and OpenAI releasing LLMs and synthetic AI models into the open-source community, Fisher expresses concern about the fragmentation of "truth." As more people train and deploy their own AI models, the risk of misinformation rises. Just as search engines can prioritize certain content over others, decentralized AI models may be subtly — or overtly — biased. This issue becomes even more concerning if companies start inserting ad-driven recommendations into AI responses, giving users the illusion of objectivity when, in fact, they're being guided toward a commercial end.7. The Coming Collapse and the Chance for RenewalThe episode touches on a cyclical view of history, where moments of collapse often lead to periods of rebirth. Fisher compares this to the aftermath of the bubonic plague, which killed half of Europe's population but led to the Renaissance and an era of cultural flourishing. He speculates that a similar phenomenon could play out today. Whether through demographic decline, AI-driven disruption, or a collapse of old economic models, humanity could experience a dramatic contraction. Paradoxically, such a collapse might bring about an "age of spaciousness" where fewer people, better technology, and renewed humanism create a richer and more thoughtful way of life.
Good Morning Liberty hosts Nate Thurston and Charles Chuck Thompson break down the dumbest events and reactions of the week. From analyzing post-election reactions, discussing FEMA discrimination, and revealing the mind-boggling butter recall, this episode covers a wide range of baffling topics. They also tackle the misgendering of Caitlyn Jenner, the so-called libertarianism in San Francisco, and much more, offering their unique libertarian perspective throughout. Tune in for a mixture of serious discussion and light-hearted banter! (03:03) Dumb Bleep #1: Biden and Trump Meeting (07:55) Dumb Bleep #2: Florida Sues FEMA (12:18) Dumb Bleep #3: Chuck Schumer's Pointless Post (13:39) Dumb Bleep #4: Misgendering Caitlyn Jenner (16:14) Dumb Bleep #5: Whoopi Goldberg's Sex Strike (19:58) Dumb Bleep #6: Reactions to Trump Transition (36:11) Informed Consent Discussion (36:20) Reactions to Trump's Cabinet Picks (36:41) Debate on Meritocracy and Racism (38:25) Fox News and Russian Asset Allegations (40:17) Elon Musk's Diplomatic Efforts (42:16) Critique of Expert Opinions (43:37) Kyle Kalinsky and Economic Inequality (49:20) Libertarianism and Drug Legalization (52:44) Twitter Exodus and Legal Changes (57:03) Parental Responsibility and Legal Consequences (01:02:14) Butter Recall and FDA Regulations
Tune in to hear:Get a better sense of the size and scope of the racial wealth gap problem in the US.Should financial advisors play a role in addressing these inequalities? Also, do historical factors, such as systemic discrimination and redlining, largely to blame for the genesis of this disparity?What sort of systemic inequities and injustices are we up against today and what can we do to combat these?What cultural differences, and attitudes, towards money, risk and investing should non-black practitioners be aware of when working with black clientele?What can we do as an industry to win some trust back and will part of that be through education and outreach?Does Adam see tech as a potential equalizer or exacerbator of the racial wealth gap?How can we best meet each client where they are at, as individuals?Citations17 cents on the dollarInheritance likelihood and magnitudeBlack wealth holdings228 YearsLinksAdam Tolliver on LinkedInAdam Tolliver on YoutubeArtisan Financial StrategiesThe Hidden Cost of Being African AmericanThe Black Tax: The Cost of Being Black in AmericaConnect with UsMeet Dr. Daniel CrosbyCheck Out All of Orion's PodcastsPower Your Growth with Orion The Advisor Academy is Orion's free, continuing education platform for advisors where you can get CE credits on the go. To sign up for the platform, click here.Compliance Code: 2356-OAS-9/13/2024
“There is a tremendous tension between healthy democracy and deep economic inequalities. I don't think that, in the long run, democracies can survive in a healthy way unless we address the problem of economic inequalities. If we have individuals who are living day to day, on the one hand, and we have other individuals who are billionaires in our societies, on the other hand, it will be very difficult for us to have a genuine democracy.”Arash Abizadeh is the R.B. Angus Professor of Political Science at McGill University. His research has focused on democratic theory, including topics such as immigration and border control. Abizadeh also specializes in 17th and 18th century philosophy and has recently published the book Hobbes and the Two Faces of Ethics. He is currently working on a book about social and political power and is the Associate Editor of Free & Equal: a Journal of Ethics and Public Affairs.https://abizadeh.wixsite.com/arashwww.cambridge.org/core/books/hobbes-and-the-two-faces-of-ethics/B565348CE9B53945F4F962784A5842C2https://freeandequaljournal.orgwww.creativeprocess.infowww.oneplanetpodcast.orgIG www.instagram.com/creativeprocesspodcast
On this week's Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff discusses Kate Pickett's and Richard Wilkinson's best-selling study in the book "The Spirit Level" (2009), showing how economic inequality correlates with most of the major social problems of our time. We will juxtapose their latest paper "The Spirit Level at 15: The Enduring Impact of Inequality" Which details how economic inequality has only gotten worse since the past fifteen years, despite government laws and programs aimed to "reduce" inequality. Wilkinson and Pickett show how inequality leads to severe social ills, divisions, and disintegration. What we need is to face that it is capitalism that generates the inequality that generates the hostilities and social tensions intruding upon and damaging our lives." Important reading "The Spirit Level at 15: The Enduring Impact of Inequality: https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/215026/1/The_Spirit_Level_at_15_2024_FINAL.pdf The d@w Team Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a DemocracyatWork.info Inc. production. We make it a point to provide the show free of ads and rely on viewer support to continue doing so. You can support our work by joining our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/democracyatwork Or you can go to our website: https://www.democracyatwork.info/donate Every donation counts and helps us provide a larger audience with the information they need to better understand the events around the world they can't get anywhere else. We want to thank our devoted community of supporters who help make this show and others we produce possible each week. We kindly ask you to also support the work we do by encouraging others to subscribe to our YouTube channel and website: www.democracyatwork.info