Is the American political system broken? In his new book, Ezra Klein argues that the system isn't malfunctioning, it's doing exactly what it was designed to accomplish. In this special episode of Discourse Disrupters, John Donvan sits down with one of the nation's most prominent political journalists to ask one critical question: Why are we polarized? A message from our sponsors: Watch or listen to Argumentation – and any of The Great Courses Plus’ thousands of lectures - Free for an Entire Mont...
Jan 31, 2020•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Does capitalism need saving? In this special episode, Intelligence Squared partners with Foreign Affairs to take a nuanced look at the state of the capitalism debate in America, and the potential problems facing our economic system. Joining host John Donvan is Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz with recent Intelligence Squared alum and Reason editor-in-chief Katherine Mangu-Ward. A message from our sponsors: Watch or listen to Argumentation – and any of The Great Courses Plus’ thousan...
Jan 10, 2020•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Now legal in nine U.S. states and the District of Columbia, physician-assisted suicide has a growing contingency that want to legalize the practice. Will these laws lead to a slippery slope, where the vulnerable are pressured to choose death and human life is devalued? Or do we need to recognize everyone’s basic right to autonomy, the right to end pain and suffering, and the right to choose to die with dignity? FOR THE MOTION: Peter Singer - Philosopher & Professor of Bioethics, Princeton Univer...
Dec 27, 2019•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this special episode of Intelligence Squared U.S., host and moderator John Donvan sits down with our newly appointed CEO Clea Conner to pull back the curtain on how we make our debates, choose debaters, and talk about what happens off the stage. A message from our sponsor: Get 20% off your first purchase by going to nativedeodorant.com and entering promo code DEBATE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 13, 2019•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Capitalism has always had its critics. But now, a new generation of political leaders, scholars, and activists are calling the free-market system into question. Has capitalism been a force for good? And should it be the economic model of the future? FOR THE MOTION: John Mackey - Co-Founder & CEO, Whole Foods Market Katherine Mangu-Ward - Editor-in-Chief, Reason AGAINST THE MOTION: Bhaskar Sunkara - Founding Editor, Jacobin Richard D. Wolff - Professor Emeritus of Economics, University of Massach...
Nov 29, 2019•54 min•Ep 174•Transcript available on Metacast How much does our DNA shape who we become? Four experts in science and psychology debate the classic "nature versus nurture" question with a eye toward recent breakthroughs in genetic science and DNA testing. FOR THE MOTION: Robert Plomin - Professor of Behavioral Genetics, King’s College London Nancy Segal - Professor of Psychology, California State University, Fullerton & Director, Twin Studies Center AGAINST THE MOTION: Paige Harden - Psychology Professor, University of Texas Ann Pleshette Mu...
Nov 15, 2019•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Should we look to Europe for the future of big tech regulations? Four leading thinkers in tech, governance, and law debate the state and future of big tech, and whether it's time to impose greater regulations on companies like Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Twitter. FOR THE MOTION: Roslyn Layton - Visiting Scholar, American Enterprise Institute Berin Szóka - Founder and President, TechFreedom AGAINST THE MOTION: Marietje Schaake - International Policy Director, Stanford's Cyber Policy Center & Fm...
Nov 02, 2019•54 min•Ep 172•Transcript available on Metacast Students for Fair Admissions just challenged Harvard's affirmative action guidelines in federal court, and lost. But the advocacy group is gearing up to make their case again – this time, in the Supreme Court. In this episode, we revisit this timely and contentious debate: Does the Constitution allow racial preferences in university admissions? Use code Friends30 for 30% off tickets to upcoming live debates: https://www.intelligencesquaredus.org/buy-tickets Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...
Oct 18, 2019•56 min•Ep 115•Transcript available on Metacast As the nation gears up for the 2020 election, Democrats are promising bold new changes to the American health care system, including scrapping private health insurance and adopting “Medicare for All.” Is this a bold and effective way to repair health care in America? Or will it inflate the already swelled federal deficit? Learn more about upcoming debates at www.iq2us.org/buy-tickets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 04, 2019•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Saudi Arabia and Iran are vying for regional dominance. Turkey is cozying up to Russia and China. And instability, conflict, and proxy wars have engulfed Syria, Yemen, and beyond. How should the United States respond to shifting power in the Middle East? Five leading national security experts debate. Learn more about the upcoming season and buy tickets to a live debate at www.iq2us.org/buy-tickets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 20, 2019•54 min•Ep 170•Transcript available on Metacast In this special episode, host John Donvan sits down with two of America's leading thinkers on politics and foreign policy: Susan Glasser and Yascha Mounk. They discuss the rise of authoritarian leaders around the world and their featured articles in the September/October issue of Foreign Affairs magazine. Go to www.ForeignAffairs.com/faiq2 and enter the promo code faiq2 for a discounted issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 06, 2019•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast How do good ideas and persuasive arguments change the world? In this episode, host John Donvan speaks with TED curator Chris Anderson about how bringing people together to share new and innovative ideas will shape our collective future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 30, 2019•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Are recent U.S. policies toward China tough and focused enough to achieve key economic and strategic objectives? Or will U.S. policy escalate tensions too much, ultimately reducing the chances that the world’s two major powers can achieve a sensible accommodation? Join four leading experts for a debate on the motion, “The Recent U.S. Policy Toward China Is Productive.” Learn more about Intelligence Squared U.S. and cast your vote to decide the winner at IQ2US.org. Charles Duhigg's "How To" podca...
Aug 23, 2019•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Can focusing on science and technology transform how Americans think about the economy and the future of the nation's working class? In this episode of Discourse Disrupters, former IMF chief economist Simon Johnson joins host John Donvan for a conversation about his new book, "Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 16, 2019•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast What happens when an economist walks into a brothel? In this episode, economist and author Allison Schrager talks with host John Donvan about her new book, “An Economist Walks Into a Brothel,” and how you can use reason to assess risk in your everyday life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 09, 2019•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Discourse Disrupters, two of America’s top legal minds tackles one of the most pressing questions of the day: what should we do about "hate speech." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 26, 2019•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Populism is on the rise. Relations between American and European leaders are often tense. Is the transatlantic relationship beyond repair? Four of the brightest foreign policy minds gather in Brussels for this timely and thoughtful debate. This debate is presented in partnership with the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 12, 2019•53 min•Ep 168•Transcript available on Metacast Team IQ2US is busy in Brussels, getting ready to bring you our next debate, “The Transatlantic Relationship Has Been Irreparably Damaged.” This one will be presented in partnership with the German Marshall Fund. In this episode, get ready for the debate with a special episode of “Out of Order,” created by our partners. In this podcast, the German Marshall Fund's president Karen Donfried sits down with senior fellow Peter Sparding to discuss the future of the transatlantic relationship. Learn mor...
Jun 28, 2019•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast A decade ago, Facebook and Twitter promised a digital revolution that would bolster democratic values and empower users around the world. Did that work out? In this episode, we take a look back at one of our most important debates to date. Join four leading thinkers in tech, policy, and media for spirited and timely debate on the motion, "Social Media Is Good For Democracy." Cast your vote on the motion at iq2us.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 14, 2019•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast There are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States today. In a divided and contentious political climate where immigration is a key issue for voters across the ideological spectrum, what should happen to these individuals? This episode, we take a look back at our debate on the motion, "Give Undocumented Immigrants a Path to Citizenship." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 31, 2019•55 min•Ep 126•Transcript available on Metacast Presidential contender Andrew Yang wants to give every American a monthly check from the government, just to cover the basics. And he's not alone. Business leaders, particularly those in Silicon Valley, and some Democratic politicians are warming up to the idea of a universal basic income as a means to offset the impacts of automation in the workforce. In this episode, we take a look back at our debate on the motion, "The Universal Basic Income Is the Safety Net of the Future." Receive your free...
May 17, 2019•54 min•Ep 134•Transcript available on Metacast Right now, climate engineers are working on new technologies that would reflect the sun’s rays away from earth. For some, it’s a bold new plan to combat climate change. For others, it's a dangerous attempt to meddle with Mother Nature. Join four leading climate scientists for a debate on the motion, “Engineering Solar Radiation Is a Crazy Idea.” Learn more about Intelligence Squared U.S. and cast your vote to decide the winner at IQ2US.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices....
May 03, 2019•53 min•Ep 167•Transcript available on Metacast What if the next car you buy or taxi you hail drives itself? Join four leaders in autonomous vehicles for a timely debate on whether society should embrace driverless cars or approach these new, controversial vehicles with caution. Learn more about Intelligence Squared U.S. and cast your vote to decide the winner at IQ2US.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 19, 2019•53 min•Ep 166•Transcript available on Metacast Former Senator Jeff Flake and the New York Times’ Bret Stephens team up to argue the motion, “The Republican Party Should Not Re-Nominate Trump.” They face Kris Kobach, a former Trump advisor and former Kansas Secretary of State, and Fox New’s Liz Peek, who are rooting for Trump 2020. Learn more about Intelligence Squared U.S. and cast your vote to decide the winner at IQ2US.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 05, 2019•55 min•Ep 165•Transcript available on Metacast In this special episode of Intelligence Squared U.S., John Donvan sits down with one of America's leading political thinkers to discuss a bold premise: loving your enemies. Arthur Brooks is a best-selling author and the outgoing president of the American Enterprise Institute. His new book, "Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt", builds on his decades in politics and challenges Americans to love each other despite partisan differences. Learn more abou...
Mar 29, 2019•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast With David French, Corynne McSherry, Nathaniel Persily, and Marietje Schaake How should the world's largest social media companies respond to a pernicious online climate, including hate speech and false content posted by users? For some, the answer is clear: Take the fake and offensive content down. But for others, censorship - even by a private company - is dangerous in a time when digital platforms have become the new public square and many Americans cite Facebook and Twitter as their primary ...
Mar 22, 2019•54 min•Ep 164•Transcript available on Metacast With Ian Bremmer, Michèle Flournoy, Yasheng Huang, Parag Khanna, and Susan Thornton President Xi Jinping has made it clear: When it comes to big data, advanced weaponry, and other innovations in tech and AI, China has plans to surpass the United States as the world’s next techonomic superpower. But between the trade war with the U.S., the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, and an array of domestic challenges, are China’s goals outpacing its capacity? Or is China building and investing in strate...
Mar 08, 2019•53 min•Ep 163•Transcript available on Metacast In this special episode of Intelligence Squared U.S., we partner with IBM for a historic debate that brings AI to the stage. IBM Project Debater is the first AI system designed to debate humans on complex topics using a combination of pioneering research developed by IBM researchers. In this debate, Project Debater faces world-class debater Harish Natarajan on the motion, "We Should Subsidize Preschool". Still curious about AI? Dive into more debates: Past Debate - Don’t Trust the Promise of AI:...
Feb 15, 2019•54 min•Ep 162•Transcript available on Metacast Motion: Don't Bring Extinct Creatures back to Life Once a sci-fi fantasy explored in films like “Jurassic Park,” recent biological and technological breakthroughs indicate that reviving extinct creatures could become a reality. Proponents argue that the benefits include correcting mistakes of the past by bringing back extinct ecosystems and organisms. Others argue it's not ethical, or even feasible. Should humans bring extinct creatures back to life? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...
Feb 08, 2019•55 min•Ep 161•Transcript available on Metacast Motion: Ten Years After the Global Financial Crisis, the System Is Safer More than 10 years ago, Lehman Brothers collapsed, and the world witnessed one of the worst financial crises in global history. Has the world learned its lesson and created a more resilient global financial system? Or are we ill-prepared for next time? Join Us Live In New York on January 31st for "Don't Bring Extinct Creatures Back to Life" - http://smarturl.it/De-ExtinctionTix Foreign Affairs Exclusive Discount - www.Forei...
Jan 25, 2019•55 min•Ep 160•Transcript available on Metacast 
