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Megan McArdle joins Jamie Weinstein to react to the first few months of Donald Trump's presidency and to explain why America needs to win the AI race. The Agenda:—Liberation Day: “It was shambolic”—Trump's shadow Cabinet—What DOGE got right (and wrong)—Elon Musk: A “managerial mad genius?”—Paul Ryan vindicated again—How to adapt to an AI world—Calm before the AI storm The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The debate over how to use AI in schools, and what constitutes cheating, is not unlike other arguments about tech and learning in recent decades — be it students using graphing calculators to solve problems or Wikipedia to do research. But will AI be more disruptive than anything we've seen before? Columnists Molly Roberts, Megan McArdle and Monica Hesse discuss how they're using AI in their work and personal lives, and how they think we can create a helpful — and hopeful— AI future. Check out our Memorial Day Sale to subscribe to the Washington Post. It's just $2, every four weeks, for your first year. Additional reading from our columnists:Megan McArdle: Don't be fooled. This is the calm before the AI storm.Megan McArdle: If you haven't been worrying about AI, it's time to start preparingMolly Roberts: AI is forcing teachers to confront an existential questionAnd here's a link to an article mentioned in the episode:Everyone Is Cheating Their Way Through College (New York Magazine)
Populist narratives are gaining traction across the political spectrum, claiming that free markets have failed the American middle class. Critics argue that trade, immigration, and technological change have hollowed out manufacturing jobs and created an economy that no longer works for most Americans.In Crushing Capitalism: How Populist Policies Are Threatening the American Dream, economist Norbert J. Michel challenges this bleak interpretation. Drawing on historical data and contemporary analysis, Michel argues that the American Dream is not dead—but that it is being threatened by a growing push toward industrial policy, economic restrictions, and government intervention.Americans today enjoy unprecedented levels of prosperity, upward mobility, and opportunity. Rather than retreat from free-market principles, Michel makes the case for preserving the institutions and economic freedoms that have long fueled American success.Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with the author, and the Washington Post's Megan McArdle, as we explore the myths shaping today's economic debates, the real story behind the rise of American prosperity, and the risks of moving away from market-driven solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Just as students benefit from developing a positive, growth-oriented approach to failure, teachers thrive when they are supported in the same way. Instructional coaches and administrators can play a critical role in fostering this mindset. Teachers need opportunities to embrace challenges, experiment with new ideas, and persist through setbacks, in a safe environment. Too often, professional learning focuses on delivering strategies and best practices without acknowledging the discomfort and vulnerability that come with trying something new. Explore seven keys to “successful failure.” "A Moment of Perspective," Christina (Kiki) Peterson "Why Failing Well is the Key to Success," Megan McArdle "7 Keys to Successful Failure," Mindy Crary Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!
Join Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle and Matt Lewis as they dive into the latest political and economic upheaval. From Donald Trump's unpredictable tariffs on China to the potential abandonment of Ukraine, Megan unpacks the consequences of Trump's policies, the erosion of institutional trust, and why voters still back him despite the chaos. They also discuss Elon Musk's DOGE exit, Jerome Powell's Federal Reserve drama, and the lasting damage to America's global reputation. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the economy, politics, and the future of U.S. leadership! Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFollow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattklewis/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's book: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416Copyright © 2024, BBL & BWL, LLC
Sarah Isgur is joined by Megan McArdle, Jonah Goldberg, and Steve Hayes to discuss the rise of “Abundance Democrats” and Donald Trump's attack on judicial independence. The Agenda: —Chuck Schumer falls into the John Boehner trap —What are “Abundance Democrats”? —Libs discover supply-side matters —People don't care about procedure —Did Vladimir Putin laugh at Trump? —Gaza ceasefire breakdown —NWYT: Sad beige homes The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The penny costs more to make than it's worth, but why is it so difficult to stop making them? Drew Goins, Molly Roberts and Megan McArdle talk about whether there's a case for continuing to make pennies — and if we should ditch some other coins weighing down our pockets while we're at it. In fact, how much life is left for cash at all?
Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle and Vox senior correspondent Zack Beachamp unpack President Trump's plans for Gaza, closing USAID, and what we can expect from a constitutional showdown between this administration and the courts. The host of this Munk Dialogue is Rudyard Griffiths To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Executive Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch
Each weekend on Best Of The Gist, we listen back to an archival Gist segment from the past, then we replay something from the past week. This weekend, though, we're throwing that formula out the proverbial window and playing an episode of Very Serious with Josh Barro, on which Mike was a guest. He joined Josh, Ben Dreyfuss, and Megan McArdle to talk about Trump's first week in office. GIST Coupon Codes ... Truewerk: truewerk.com/thegist for 15% off your first order Marley Spoon: marleyspoon.com/offer/thegist for 27 free meals Quince: quince.com/thegist for free shipping and free returns SUBSCRIBE We offer premium subscriptions, including an AD-FREE version of the show and options for bonus content. The Gist is produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com Subscribe to The Gist's YouTube Page Follow Mike's Substack > Pesca Profundities To advertise on the show, click here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On the first episode of our new series on politics and culture, Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle and Vox senior correspondent Zack Beachamp debate Elon Musk's embrace of far-right political parties, Trump's totalitarian impulses, and the end to DEI in government agencies. The host of this Munk Dialogue is Rudyard Griffiths To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, and ticketing privileges at our live events. This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/ Executive Producer: Ricki Gurwitz Editor: Kieran Lynch
I'm back in your ears this week — testing out an idea. There's a lot of political chat shows out there aimed at slices of the ideological spectrum, but the middle is underserved. Shouldn't we have a show to digest the news, hash out some civil disagreements, talk a little bit about how the right and left are screwing things up, and also have a little fun?Ben Dreyfuss, Megan McArdle, and Mike Pesca join me this week to discuss Trump's first week, the big economic promises he'll have trouble fulfilling, the relative apathy of “the Resistance” compared to 2017, what we're looking forward to about his presidency, the war on DEI, the TikTok ban reprieve, and even the newest unit of measure of time: the “Ramaswamy,” which is negative one days. Let us know what you think: mayo@joshbarro.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.joshbarro.com/subscribe
This week on Unsupervised Learning Razib talks to Megan McArdle, author of The Up Side of Down: Why Failing Well Is the Key to Success and Washington Post columnist and op-ed board member. McArdle was raised in New York City and attended Riverdale Country School. She obtained an undergraduate degree in English from University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the University of Chicago. A pioneering blogger based out of New York City and covering the site of the WTC in the wake of 9/11, McArdle went on to work at The Economist, The Atlantic and Newsweek. In this episode, the discussion largely focuses on McArdle's research about the cultural history of food and cooking in the US. But first they discuss the economic implications of Donald Trump's election, and the domestic consequences shifting toward a tariff-heavy trade regime. McArdle lays out the case that a massive tariff would have the same impact as a tax, not to mention the broad disruptive economic effects on large companies' supply chains. Then they move on to the changes in American cuisine over the last few centuries, and the shifts driven by technology and innovation. McArdle points out that in the 19th century, gelatin dessert was a luxury and an exotic treat because it was labor intensive to prepare. But by the middle of the 20th century industrial-scale food processing made gelatin, in particular Jell-o, a cheap commodity, and it became associated with the lower classes. Similarly, before factory farming, chicken and eggs were more expensive than red meat, and thus viewed as high-end ingredient (whereas today, chicken is far cheaper than beef). Finally Razib and McArdle talk about how the plentitude of food available in the 21st century contributes to the obesity epidemic that has only ceased its relentless expansion with the advent of Ozempic.
Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle joins Sarah Isgur, Mike Warren, and Steve Hayes to discuss President-elect Donald Trump's interesting (?) press conference and the media's rapid (yet possibly irresponsible) response. The Agenda: —Trump is back —Sarah's Greenland-curious —Zuck ends fact-checking program —Our partner program with Meta —All the lonely people —The one influencer Steve tried remembering —LA County fires: is it a policy issue? —Blame the Republican In Closest Proximity —Release the fact-checkers The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Does the praise of Luigi Mangione—the alleged assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson—say anything profound about Americans? Sarah Isgur, Jonah Goldberg, Steve Hayes, and Megan McArdle discuss. The Agenda: —Against 'But …' —The acquittal of Daniel Penny —Did Mangione get what he wanted? —The lamest duck —Age limits? —The Great De-Wokening —Syria and Iran —NWYT: How journalism works —Flagship debate redux The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The US Election has brought about significant challenges for the mainstream media. Edward Luce of the Financial Times, Megan McArdle of The Washington Post, and Katie Drummond of WIRED discuss the diversification of media sources and the struggle for relevance among traditional news organizations. Taskmaster has become a standout success in the world of TV comedy. Alex Horne, the creator and co-host of the UK edition, provides insights into the show's enduring popularity and its international adaptations. Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai
When Donald Trump won in 2016, it boosted cable news and newspaper subscriptions, with some outlets taking an avowedly anti-Trump stance; some even called this the ‘resistance'. What's going to happen now? We talk to journalists with different approaches. As popular Channel 4 gameshow Taskmaster celebrates its tenth anniversary, creator Alex Horne shares the secrets of its success. And we assess the choices facing BBC Sport after it was announced Gary Lineker will be standing down from Match of the Day. Guests: Edward Luce, Associate Editor, The Financial Times; Megan McArdle, Columnist, The Washington Post; Katie Drummond, Global Editorial Director, Wired; Alex Horne, creator, Taskmaster; Caroline Frost, columnist, Radio Times Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer
In a special edition of First Look, the Post's Jonathan Capehart speaks with national political reporter Michael Scherer about Donald Trump's historic comeback to reclaim the White House. Next, Post opinions columnists, Megan McArdle and Eugene Robinson discuss what a second Trump term could look like and the new power structure on Capitol Hill. Conversation recorded on Friday, November 8, 2024.
Tuesday night's election has left us with total Republican control of all three branches of government. What does this mean for the immediate future of the Republic? Shadi Hamid and Damir Marusic get together to discuss. We are releasing this episode early and completely free for all subscribers.Will Donald Trump become a dictator? What is he capable of? What might be the worst aspects of his second term? Damir discusses mass deportations as the biggest risk. Shadi worries about Trump's foreign policy in the Middle East. More than that, Shadi worries about a Donald Trump who all of the sudden has everything he's ever wanted — a revenge victory — and finds it still unsatisfying. “What now?”Damir and Shadi are not very fond of the Harris-Walz campaign. Shadi laments that Harris never seemed comfortable on the campaign trail, and could never quite communicate authenticity. Damir says that Walz is an irrelevant politician, a “weirdo” with no discernible contribution to the Democratic cause. Two minds trying to figure out where things stand in the wake of what seems to be like a momentous election. The first of many attempts at Wisdom of Crowds where we will try to read the signs of the times.Required Reading:* Tim Alberta on the dysfunction in the Trump campaign (The Atlantic).* Politico piece why Kamala lost (Politico).* Shadi: “The Democrats can't blame anyone but themselves this time” (Washington Post). * Turkish migrant interview (YouTube).* “What Do Men Want?” podcast with Shadi and Richard Reeves (Washington Post). * Megan McArdle, Jim Geraghty and Ramesh Ponnuru podcast: “Are Republicans Kamala-curious? Not so much.” (Washington Post). * Ruth Marcus, Dana Milbank and James Hohmann podcast: “Ruth Marcus, Dana Milbank and James Hohmann” (Washington Post). * Andrew Sullivan's Election Night Notes on Substack.* Donald Trump's interview with the Wall Street Journal editorial board.* Barack Obama roasts Donald Trump at the White House Correspondent's Dinner (YouTube). Wisdom of Crowds is a platform challenging premises and understanding first principles on politics and culture. Join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wisdomofcrowds.live/subscribe
As we get closer to the US election, Kate Andrews, The Spectator's economics editor, joins Freddy Gray to host Americano. On this episode, she speaks to Megan McArdle, columnist at the Washington Post. They discuss why Donald Trump and Kamala Harris aren't campaigning in swing states, and why it's so difficult to predict the election result.
Whoever wins the election this coming Tuesday will have a very big job ahead of them for the next 4 years, and many questions linger about how they will conduct themselves and pursue their policy goals. In the case of a Donald Trump victory, what are some potential weaknesses his administration could face? And would his administration be poorly equipped to apply the systemic change he says are necessary to make in our government? Megan McArdle from the Washington Post joins the show.
Boyd gives his insight and perspective on the last Friday before election day. How have campaigns delivered their final pitches to voters? We discuss the potential challenges and weaknesses facing a Trump term or a Harris term in office. The economy continues to be the most pressing issue on the minds of American families ahead of this election. How do Americans feel about our current system of voting? We cover this and much more here on Inside Sources.
As we get closer to the US election, Kate Andrews, The Spectator's economics editor, joins Freddy Gray to host Americano. On this episode, she speaks to Megan McArdle, columnist at the Washington Post. They discuss why Donald Trump and Kamala Harris aren't campaigning in swing states, and why it's so difficult to predict the election result.
Sarah, Jonah, and Declan are joined by Megan McArdle, a columnist for The Washington Post, to discuss Kamala Harris' recent media blitz culminating in her interview with Fox News' Bret Baier. They also dive into the latest vibe shift and close with a conversation about the purpose of “steelmanning.” The Agenda: —Kamala Harris' media blitz —Is Harris prepared for tough questions? —Avoidance of Biden slander —Sexism or partisanship? —Analysis of the evolving polls —Trump and male voters —Trump's exaggeration —Mommy Party vs. Daddy Party —What is steelmanning? Show Notes: —Harris' Fox News interview —J.D. Vance discussing Venezuela on ABC News —Noah Smith's post on steelmanning The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Did the debate cause a vibe shift? Columnists Charles Lane, Megan McArdle, Dana Milbank and Jim Geraghty discuss how much voters care about policy, whether Trump made any good points and how his false claims about pet-eating immigrants mask a genuine issue.And don't forget to check out the first two stories in our series, “Who is Government? Seven writers go in search of the essential public servant.” The Canary, by Michael LewisThe Sentinel, by Casey CepKeep an eye on Washington Post Opinions each Tuesday morning to see future installments.
In recent years, the idea of combating poverty through direct cash transfers has gained traction, promising a simple yet potentially revolutionary approach to improving lives. However, new research challenges the effectiveness of this strategy, revealing unexpected outcomes and limited benefits for recipients. As policymakers and philanthropists grapple with these findings, we are forced to reconsider our assumptions about poverty alleviation and the role of financial assistance. How can we help those around us in the most effective ways to create lasting positive change in society? Megan McArdle from the Washington Post talks with Boyd about her reporting.
Join Boyd Matheson on Inside Sources today for the best perspective on the latest news! Protests have broken out in Israel in the aftermath of 6 hostages being killed by Hamas. American communities here are also feeling pain as one of the hostages was an Israeli-American citizen. Boyd focuses on an under the headline story about America's need to ramp up our apprenticeship programs. And after a study was carried out regarding UBI, or Universal Basic Income, the results showed that we need to think again about how to address poverty in America.
Megan McArdle joins Steve, Jonah, and Sarah to adjudicate the minutiae of the least consequential civil war you'll ever regret hearing about: between the Bulwark Front of Judea and the Judean Dispatch Front. The Agenda: —Harris' first interview —Moving to the right —Does media matter? —Killing the primary system —The Twitter Spat —Against endorsements —Why it's important to be honest Show Notes: —John Berman's interview with Michael Tyler on fracking —Nick Catoggio on The Twitter Spat The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
01:00 NYT: How Trump's Allies Are Winning the War Over Disinformation, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/17/us/politics/trump-disinformation-2024-social-media.html 06:00 Mike Benz on Tucker Carlson, https://x.com/TuckerCarlson/status/1758529993280205039 10:00 Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=156636 15:00 Everything and Less: The Novel in the Age of Amazon, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=156970 1:10:00 David French Is Wrong (Or Is He?) | Dispatch Podcast w/ Sarah Isgur, Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-ygadKXYFw 1:12:00 Kip joins 1:12:20 WP: Viral Olympic B-girl Raygun says the ‘hate' has been ‘devastating', https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/08/16/raygun-breakdancing-olympics-online-hate-petition/ 1:14:45 Edward Bernays, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bernays 1:35:00 WP: Viral Olympic B-girl Raygun says the ‘hate' has been ‘devastating', https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/08/16/raygun-breakdancing-olympics-online-hate-petition/ 1:42:00 Byron York on the DNC convention 1:43:00 The Rise of Writing: Redefining Mass Literacy, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=156954 1:57:00 Swoooon! Why is Harris Media Coverage Like This? | Mark Halperin, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0xCB1J0SOk 2:02:00 My love strategy 2:02:30 Surprising Insights Into Human Psychology - Rory Sutherland (4K), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaYTvwe0Wo0 2:14:00 Jordan Peterson on the Rise of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump's Challenge | Mark Halperin, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgy4bsS3tM8 2:15:00 Elliott Blatt joins to talk about sales 2:47:00 Rob Henderson, Richard Hanania on dating, https://www.richardhanania.com/ 3:05:00 Uncommon People: The Rise and Fall of The Rock Stars, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=156985 3:22:00 Psychologist JD Haltigan, https://x.com/jdhaltigan, 3:25:00 The Devouring Mother, War, & Human Aggression | J. D. Haltigan, https://x.com/JBPpod/status/1812955313362071665 3:32:45 Curing monotone voice, I Hired A Speech Therapist To Fix My Boring Voice, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLDRQYeYQJg Transcript: https://lukeford.net/blog/?page_id=157014
Let's talk about voting. Sarah, Jonah, and Megan McArdle get epistemological breaking down David French's column endorsing Kamala Harris and realize they can't even agree on the the purpose of voting. What kind of Democrat will Kamala Harris run as, anyway? The Agenda: —David French: To Save Conservatism From Itself, I Am Voting for Harris —Jonah: Voting Isn't A Window Into the Soul —Why Megan is voting for Harris —Jonah has lost Sarah —Can “Obamaism” save Democrats? —Harris' policy platform will be “light on detail” —Blaming greedy capitalists —“Has the U.S. beat inflation, Mr. President?” —Will the DNC boost Harris? —Should journalists publish hacked information? Show Notes: —Matt Yglesias on greedflation —Eric Levitz on greedflation —Scott Lincicome on greedflation The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today in our third and final installment of this series, we delve into what may be the most contested election in American history. We also take stock of the already historic and unprecedented 2024 presidential campaign season. What happens when both sides of our political divide increasingly view the other as an anti-democratic threat? Our aim with these episodes is to listen carefully to those who feel cheated, move beyond the daily political drama, and inspire deeper reflection on where our society stands and the challenges we face. Special thanks to Washington Post columnist, Megan McArdle and to Megan Phelps-Roper. Thank you to our sponsor Ground News. You can visit them here to learn more: GROUND.NEWS To become a paid subscriber, just click here
[This blog will always be free to read, but it's also how I pay my bills. If you have suggestions or feedback on how I can earn your paid subscription, shoot me an email: cmclymer@gmail.com. And if this is too big of a commitment, I'm always thankful for a simple cup of coffee.]A little over two weeks ago, a user on Twitter posted a joke claiming, with a knowing wink, that J.D. Vance, the junior senator from Ohio and Trump's running mate, had been quite intimate with an alluring chesterfield. They have since locked their account, but here's the original tweet:To be clear: there is absolutely no proof whatsoever that Mr. Vance engaged in copulation with a couch. You can confidently state to the folks in your life that this never happened.But the joke took on a life of its own. For two weeks, the internet has been awash in puns, memes, and coy references to Mr. Vance's (falsely alleged) furnish-curious orientation.It hit a fever pitch on Tuesday at a campaign rally in Philadelphia when Gov. Tim Walz, running mate of Vice President Harris, included this reference in his speech: “I can't wait to debate the guy—that is, if he's willing to get off the couch and show up.”As the crowd roared in response, Mr. Walz followed up with: “See what I did there?”I was in that audience. It was a hell of a line. Many of you were probably watching on television and laughing with approval, and I gotta say: it landed even better in-person.Of course, not everyone agrees, particularly more than a few journalists and pundits who decried it as unnecessary and tantamount to disinformation. Yesterday, CNN's Jake Tapper characterized it as a “gross smear” while Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle opined on Twitter: “But the more people argue this is all in good fun, the more I want to write in a name rather than voting for either of the nasty tickets.”The Intelligencer's Benjamin Hart weighed in, too: “It does not follow that Trump accusing Democrats of killing babies and Kamala Harris of being a communist monster means that Democrats are allowed to lower their standards. That's not how standards work.”Ah, yes, standards — the expected consistency of holding a moral line, regardless of whom crosses it. Of course, it's been difficult not to notice that Mr. Tapper, Ms. McArdle, Mr. Hart, and every other finger-wagging, scandalized pundit didn't have anything to say when, just last week, Mr. Vance decided to use his global platform as the Republican vice presidential nominee to falsely and cruelly claim that Olympic woman boxer Imane Khelif is actually a man.Mr. Vance posted on Twitter: “This is where Kamala Harris's ideas about gender lead: to a grown man pummeling a woman in a boxing match. This is disgusting, and all of our leaders should condemn it.”He was quote-tweeting far-right commentator Charlie Kirk, who had written: “The Olympics just allowed a biological man, Imane Khelif, to pummel Italian Olympian Angela Carini. Her life's work was stolen by a man who beats up women for sport. Will someone have to die before people wake up?! This entire ideology is pure evil.”I wrote last week about the vile disinformation spread about Ms. Khelif by the likes of Mr. Vance, Trump, J.K. Rowling, and many others who slandered her online, along with all the reasons why this horrid accusation is patently false.(Also: to be abundantly clear, there are no trans women competing in the Olympics.)But here's the most important thing to note here: Ms. Khelif is from Algeria, where being transgender is not only considered borderline criminal but trans people are particularly vulnerable to lethal violence, to say nothing of discrimination generally.Mr. Vance encouraged a global pile-on against Ms. Khelif, quite literally putting her life in danger, all for a cheap political hit directed at Vice President Harris.Mr. Tapper said nothing on the matter. Nor did Ms. McArdle. Nor did Mr. Hart. Nor, to the best of my knowledge, has any other reporter or pundit who pontificated on Democrats making light of Mr. Vance allegedly having a tryst with an ex-lover from Rent-A-Center. In the case of Mr. Vance, there is no victim of disinformation. The greatest cause for trauma and injury can only be claimed by a hypothetical, seductive settee. But with the dangerous slander directed at Ms. Khelif by Mr. Vance, there's a woman who has struggled all her life in pursuit of her Olympics dream, only to watch as people like the Republican vice presidential nominee put her and her family through an extraordinary hell for the past two weeks.I don't expect journalists and pundits to comment on every single issue, particularly every little comment from every bit player in the world of politics. That's completely unreasonable. But Mr. Vance is not a bit player. He's on the GOP's presidential ticket. He's asking voters to consider him for the position of the second most powerful person in the world, and every single reporter and pundit in this country would understandably leap at the opportunity to book an exclusive interview with him.The silence of people like Mr. Tapper and Ms. McArdle and Mr. Hart—knowing full well that what he was claiming is false and dangerous—speaks to an increasingly destabilizing double standard in American media. For some, journalistic integrity seems to be highly contingent on the degree to which their access is threatened.If they had criticized Mr. Vance and set the record straight regarding Ms. Khelif, most likely jeopardizing their access with Republican elected officials, it might mean one less big scoop, one less primetime interview, one less panel invite or speaking gig or book deal. And thus, it is much easier to publicly opine on the moral imperatives of Mr. Walz, the vice presidential candidate for the political party that is not going to restrict access or otherwise punish journalists and pundits who ask a tough question or make a critical observation. It's easy to “take a stand” when you know there will be no consequences for doing so.I don't care what Mr. Vance does or does not do with his couch or end table or swinging crystal chandelier. It's none of my business. Granted, I would like a heads up, so as to avoid sitting there, but otherwise, it really has nothing to do with the rest of us.I do care quite a lot about the vulnerable people that Mr. Vance and his ilk continue to put in danger through dehumanizing and horrific rhetoric, gleefully attacking women generally and LGBTQ people, in particular, with scant accountability from much of political media.I would like to believe that Mr. Tapper and Ms. McArdle and Mr. Hart also value consistency in this regard, but the last two weeks have demonstrated otherwise.This evening, Ms. Khelif won the final of the women's boxing welterweight division in Paris, finally realizing, against tall odds, her lifelong dream of being an Olympic Champion. Immediately following the victory, she was warmly embraced by her opponent, China's Yang Liu, the 2023 IBA World Champion. The two smiled and took selfies at the awards ceremony, a joyous moment after two weeks of other women boxers rallying around Ms. Khelif in support against the violent disinformation spread by Mr. Vance and others. I hope Mr. Tapper, Ms. McArdle, and Mr. Hart were watching.Pundits, take a seat. Just not there.Charlotte's Web Thoughts is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Charlotte's Web Thoughts at charlotteclymer.substack.com/subscribe
Sarah, Jonah, and Megan McArdle break down the Tim Walz vice presidential pick and discuss the state of conservatism at the local level. Plus: an off-the-rails Not Worth Your Time. Steve, close your ears. The Agenda: —The Tim Walz pick —Are the Harris-Walz vibes better? —“Kamabla” —Is conservatism alive at the state level? —Markets aren't fun anymore —Jonah's mommy/daddy theory —“America is in a bad marriage” —Tim Walz's "slanderous" couch joke —Ballerina farm: How's feminism doing? —NWYT: Doggy perfume Show Notes: —Boiling Frogs on the Walz pick —“Notice how the barrel of Walz's gun is pointed away from his dog.” —Jonathan Rauch on The Remnant The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Here in our second installment into the recent history of stolen election claims, we've got angry voters, disappointed politicians, and a few tech-savvy democrats who see signs of hacking, fraud, and illegitimacy in three different elections. We'll discuss the allegations about hacked voting machines in Ohio in 2004, claims that the 2016 election was stolen from Hillary Clinton, and how stolen election claims in the 2018 gubernatorial election in Georgia helped make Stacey Abrams a national star. Next time in Part 3, we'll dive into the unprecedented 2020 election and the Stop the Steal movement. We'll also share our thoughts on the 2024 presidential election and our expectations for what might happen on Election Day. Special thanks to Megan McArdle and Megan Phelps-Roper. To become a subscriber visit us at reflector.show Email us at: hello@reflector.show Thank you to our sponsor. You can visit them here to learn more: GROUND.NEWS
What a difference two weeks make. Jonah, Sarah, Chris Stirewalt, and a beach-bound Megan McArdle discuss whether Kamala Harris' newly energized and surprisingly disciplined campaign is getting on Trump's nerves. The agenda: —Kamala basking in the coconut glow —Trump's onstage interview at the NABJ conference —Gov. Roy Cuppa —Trump's messy messaging on Kamala Harris' identity —J.D. Vance's controversial comments —Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan come home —More Sarah lore Show Notes: —Nick Catoggio on Democrats' "weird" messaging The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Claims that a US election was rigged, fraudulent, illegitimate, or stolen are not new. But in recent years—despite the fact that our elections have grown increasingly secure—these claims have grown louder and more impassioned. Today, we begin our look back on past claims of stolen elections in American history, in the hopes that understanding them in their context will help shed light on our current political moment—and where we might be headed next. In this first installment, we speak to Megan McArdle, former writer for the Atlantic and current columnist at the Washington Post, about the stolen election claims in both the 1960 and 2000 elections. To become a subscriber visit us at reflector.show Email us at: hello@reflector.show Featuring Your Cheatin' Heart by Patsy Cline and The Jordanaires Thank you to our sponsor. You can visit them here to learn more: GROUND.NEWS
On Washington Post Live's “First Look,” Washington Post Live anchor Leigh Ann Caldwell speaks with The Post's Marianna Sotomayor, E.J. Dionne and Megan McArdle about Donald Trump's speech at the RNC and calls for President Biden to step out of the election. Conversation recorded on Friday, July 19, 2024.
The Media Show hears from journalists who were witness to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Gary O'Donoghue was reporting live on the BBC World Service when the shots were fired, and Hadriana Lowenkron was at the rally for Bloomberg. Anna Moneymaker, a photographer for Getty Images, describes how she managed to capture what has become a defining image of the event. Some in the US have since accused the media of fostering a hostile environment for politicians, and Ros and Katie discuss the nature of political discourse with Jay Caspian Kang of The New Yorker and Megan McArdle, a columnist at The Washington Post. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson
We talk to three journalists who were there when a gunman tried to assassinate Donald Trump. The attack has brought renewed attention on the nature of America's political discourse and the media's role. We discuss this too. Katie has been reporting on Strictly Come Dancing as new claims about contestants' experiences emerge. We talk with an agent whose clients have appeared on the show. Also in the programme, now that Euros are over we hear about the relationship between Gareth Southgate's team and the journalists covering the campaign. Guests: Anna Moneymaker, Photographer, Getty Images; Gary O'Donoghue, Senior North America Correspondent, BBC; Hadriana Lowenkron, White House Reporter, Bloomberg; Jay Caspian Kang, Saff Writer, The New Yorker; Megan McArdle, columnist The Washington Post; Katie Hind, Showbiz Consultant Editor, The Mail on Sunday; Sue Ayton, Co-Founder, Knight Ayton; John Cross, Chief Football Writer, The Mirror; Jacob Steinberg, Football Reporter, The GuardianPresenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson
In the wake of the CNN Presidential Debate, stories about President Biden's health have taken the media by storm. But why is this only being openly talked about now? People are quick to throw metaphoric stones at journalists and reporters, but what if the media's coverage of President Biden's cognitive decline wasn't a conspiracy, but rather a complex interplay of journalistic norms, unconscious biases, and institutional constraints? Perhaps the path forward lies not in accusations, but in a thoughtful examination of how newsrooms function and the subtle ways in which our perspectives shape the stories we tell. Megan McArdle from the Washington Post joins the show to give insight on what the media can do moving forward.
Join Boyd Matheson to delve into Thursday’s big news about the toxic codependency of both Biden and Trump and deconstruction our presidential options. James Wallner comes on the show to talk about Congressional responsibility since the Chevron case was overturned. Dive into the lack of social security in the presidential campaigns with Eric Boehm. Megan McArdle calls for better media coverage since the fallout of the failure to report more about Biden’s declining health. Jay Evensen and Boyd talk about national debt and the call of all of us to talk more about the issue and More!
Sarah, Kevin, Steve and Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle discuss Joe Biden's hard-to-watch debate performance. Is anyone really surprised? The Agenda: —Will Joe still the be Democratic nominee? —Who would let Biden step on that stage? —Trump's veepstakes —Oh yeah, Trump was awful too —Looking forward to September Show Notes: —Cole Murphy's explainer on the residency issue —Our post-debate Dispatch Live —Today's Morning Dispatch The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On Washington Post Live's “First Look,” associate editor Jonathan Capehart speaks with The Post's Tyler Pager, Danielle Allen and Megan McArdle about Biden's immigration executive order and the GOP's aggressive investigations following Trump's conviction. Conversation recorded on Friday, June 7, 2024.
In the aftermath of the guilty verdict of Donald Trump in the New York trial, we've heard reactions coming from every side. Many are exactly the partisan reactions we've come to expect, as politicians and pundits pander to their respective audience. But if you sift through the noise and dig deeper, there's some better analysis on this unprecedented decision that can get us to think again. Megan McArdle from the Washington Post joins Boyd to see beyond the headlines.
Join Boyd Matheson in delving into Monday’s news. Over the weekend, many people weighed in on the New York trial against Donald Trump. Megan McArdle and Boyd discuss what is to come and sift through the headline noise. Learn about the concerns of AI’s impact on this year’s elections with Nick Robertson. Col. Jonathan Sweet weighs in on America’s expanded support of Ukraine. A new election reform called the “Final Four” is gaining traction and Russell Berman discusses how it might change the way we do elections moving forward and More!
Megan McArdle of the Washington Post joins Jonah and Sarah to discuss Trump's *explicit* trial, vice presidential contenders, and the downfall of the Tea Party. The Agenda: —Vice presidential picks —Let's keep the Burgumentum going!!! —Handgate and Marco Rubio —FreedomWorks closes up shop —Checking in on third parties —There are monsters inside of RFK Jr. —Man vs. Bear debate Show Notes: —WaPo's explanation of brain worms —Biden threatens to withhold military aid from Israel —"A Huge Gender Gap is Emerging Among Young Voters" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jonah the usurper invites Kevin, Mike, and Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle on today's episode of The Dispatch Podcast for some unfettered, wide-ranging punditry stretching from Biden's wobbling support of Israel to the political implications of Florida's abortion law. The Agenda: —World Central Kitchen deaths in Gaza —Biden's balancing act between addressing concerns from the pro-Palestinian crowd and supporting Israel —The Florida Supreme Court upholds the state's six-week abortion ban, but the pro-life victory could be short-lived —California's housing crisis and the state's regulatory barriers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Biden administration wants America to transition to electric cars. Last week, the EPA announced a rule requiring more than two-thirds of new vehicles be electric or plug-in hybrid by 2032. This comes on top of pouring federal money into tax credits and developing charging infrastructure. But there are still bumps on the road to an electric-vehicle America. Charles Lane, Catherine Rampell and Megan McArdle talk about how to navigate them.Read Megan McArdle's latest column on EVs: The best way to get everyone into electric cars? Hint: It's not a mandate. Catherine Rampell wrote this month about everything packed into the Inflation Reduction Act, including EV tax credits: Biden should fight climate change, not trade warsRead Charles Lane on the hard choices needed for an electric future: Electric vehicles won't fix our carbon dilemma without some hard choices along the way Further reading:Electric Cars Are Coming. How Long Until They Rule the Road?Unsold EVs are piling up at car dealerships. What does that mean for the auto industry?Gasoline Superusers
Listen as Megan McArdle and EconTalk's Russ Roberts use Google's new AI entrant Gemini as the starting point for a discussion about the future of our culture in the shadow of AI bias. They also discuss the tension between rules and discretion in Western society and why the ultimate answer to AI bias can't be found in technology.
On Washington Post Live's “First Look,” associate editor Jonathan Capehart speaks with The Post's Abha Bhattarai, E.J. Dionne and Megan McArdle about inflation concerns, Trump's rhetoric on immigration and friction between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Conversation recorded on Friday, March 22, 2024.
Megan McArdle returns to the Remnant today for a discussion that has the luxury of being detached from current events. Things operate at a high level of abstraction throughout—even the rank punditry is more nerdishly academic than usual—as she and Jonah analyze and debate a handful of topics that seem to render him increasingly despondent. Can resentment among elites explain Donald Trump's success? Do ideas actually matter, or have all intellectuals wasted their lives? Just how ugly should we expect 2024 to be? And can Jonah outrun his ongoing mid-life crisis in a ramshackle RV? Show Notes: -Megan's page at the Washington Post -Fusion, a new magazine from the American Institute for Economic Research -The Remnant with Tom Nichols Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices