In this episode, we discuss the growing role of humanoid robots in everyday life, why new technologies always reach the wealthy first, and how falling costs eventually make innovation accessible to the middle class. We turn to global efforts to restrict social media access for children, examining the real harms platforms create, why enforcement rarely works, and how questions of consent and freedom apply differently to minors. We highlight the week’s “foolishness,” including exaggerated tariff claims and the political incentives behind economic misinformation, before looking at how public discourse has deteriorated as cruelty and performative outrage become normalized. We then examine California’s accelerating business exodus, focusing on energy companies leaving the state, the consequences of heavy regulation and taxation, the limits of government control over capital-intensive industries, and what these trends reveal about tradeoffs, governance, and long-term economic sustainability. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:37 Humanoid Robots as Household Tools, Not Job Killers 02:31 Robots as Productivity Multipliers for the Middle Class 04:14 Why Wealthy People Will Always Get New Tech First 05:57 Technology Gets Cheaper, Better, and More Accessible Over Time 08:46 The Inevitable Cultural Direction of Robot Technology 09:17 Social Media Bans for Minors Go Global 11:13 The Real Harm Social Media Does to Children 14:25 Foolishness of the Week: Trump’s $18 Trillion Tariff Claim 17:15 Why the Tariff Math Doesn’t Pass the Smell Test 18:23 Political Incentives, Lies, and Follower Frenzy 21:09 Trump’s Rob Reiner Statement and the Collapse of Decorum 23:45 When Leaders Normalize Public Cruelty 26:09 Why Businesses Are Fleeing California 28:53 Taxes, Regulations, and the Real Price of Gas 33:14 Environmental Tradeoffs and Global CO2 Reality 38:50 California’s Plan to Nationalize Oil Refineries 40:53  Why Government Cannot Run Capital-Intensive Businesses 44:44 Diminishing Returns and Regulatory Overreach 47:23 Pareto Optimality and Why Tradeoffs Matter 55:06 The Economic Death Spiral of Business Exodus 57:32 Is California Too Big to Govern Effectively? 01:02:07 Closing Reflections and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we look at the story of a young boy who found purpose working for the DC Metro and later became a transportation engineer, and we examine a proposal for the U.S. to screen tourists’ social media accounts before entry, highlighting the logistical and constitutional problems such a system would create. We cover the week’s “foolishness,” including In-N-Out removing order number 67 from its queues and a Montreal lottery winner who chose a disastrous payout option, and discuss what these cases reveal about human judgment and bad incentives. We also explore the Mandela Effect and why memory often fails us. Later, we’re joined by Todd Huntley to talk about U.S. drug interdiction on the high seas, the legal gray zone between warfare and law enforcement, the risks of escalating conflicts with countries like Venezuela, and the constitutional limits on presidential war powers. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:30 The DC Metro Kid Who Became an Engineer 02:44 U.S. Plans to Screen Tourists’ Social Media 05:43 Foolishness of the Week: In-N-Out Removes Order #67 08:10 Foolishness Part Two: The Montreal Lottery Payout Disaster 11:16 The Psychology of Bad Financial Decisions 12:34 The Mandela Effect and Faulty Memory 14:36 Reunions and Remembering the Past 18:24 Guest Introduction: Todd Huntley on Drug Boat Strikes 20:16 How U.S. Drug Interdiction Changed with Drone Warfare 23:08 Is This War or Law Enforcement? The Legal Debate 26:44 International Waters, Venezuela, and Escalation Risks 30:13 Regime Change in Venezuela 32:45 The Positive Case for Blowing Up Boats 36:42 The Negative Case for Blowing Up Boats 41:11 Who Is Conducting the Strikes? 43:40 Congress, War Powers, and Constitutional Limits 48:57 Closing Thoughts with Guest 52:10 Outro Banter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we look at a series of recent arrests tied to online posts, comparing Britain’s policing culture and firearms laws with American norms and examining how “feeling threatened” has become a legal standard. We discuss Alaska’s new AI-driven digital identity system and the fears surrounding automated benefits, digital currency, and government control. We highlight the week’s “foolishness” involving a racist outburst at a Cinnabon, and then turn to market news as Bitcoin drops and DJT stock continues to collapse. Our main topic explores whether AI can ever be sentient, what genuine inquisitiveness looks like, how people project humanity onto algorithms, and why the real risks stem from human psychology rather than runaway machines. We close with a discussion of how AI affects relationships, personal responsibility, and why students shouldn’t rely on it to think for them. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:01 British Man Arrested Over Social Media Post 02:46 Police Overreach and “Feelings as Law” 05:14 Global Jurisdiction and Ridiculous Laws 06:51 Alaska’s AI-Driven Digital Identity System 07:35 AI Applying for Benefits on Your Behalf 09:17 Digital Currency and Government Control Fears 12:11 Foolishness of the Week: The Cinnabon Racism Incident 13:22 Why Do Racists Get GoFundMes? 14:30 Bitcoin’s Drop and the DJT Stock Collapse 19:36 Can AI Become Sentient? 22:05 The Inquisitiveness Test for Consciousness 26:31 Will AI Replace Human Relationships? 30:30 What Long-Term Interaction Reveals About AI 36:46 Asking AI About Sentience 40:00 Real Risks: Errors, Psychology, and Human Behavior 43:15 AI as a Mirror of Human Behavior 45:02 Practical and Realistic Uses of AI 50:18 Why Students Shouldn’t Rely on AI for Schoolwork 53:40 Drug-fueled Observations on Human Behavior Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we examine why arts education often maintains higher standards even as liberal arts programs shrink in schools and universities, and what students lose when curriculum narrows to job training. We discuss how platforms like X are adding country-of-origin labels to identify foreign influence and bot activity, and highlight the “foolishness of the week” involving the controversy over the “world’s strongest woman” and the broader questions it raises about biology and competitive fairness. We turn to Australia’s proposal to ban social media for kids under sixteen, exploring the practical limits of age verification, the tension between parental authority and government regulation, and why teens remain vulnerable to algorithmic manipulation. We close by considering where society should draw age boundaries, how platforms shape behavior, and what genuine responsibility looks like in the digital age. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:29 The State of Arts Education Today 02:57 Why Liberal Arts Are Disappearing From Schools 05:45 What a Liberal Arts Education Actually Provides 06:59 X Adds Country-of-Origin Labels 09:56 Foolishness of the Week: “World’s Strongest Woman” 11:31 Biology, Fairness, and Competition in Sports 17:51 Age Rules and Arbitrary Lines 20:53 Australia’s Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s 23:21 Why Age Verification Won’t Work in Practice 26:08 Should the Government Regulate Children’s Social Media Use? 27:32 Algorithmic Bubbles and Teen Vulnerability 33:45 96% of Australian Children Ages 10-15 Use Social Media 34:55 Where to Draw the Line: 13, 16, or 18? 39:34 Parental Responsibility vs. Government Control 46:34 Closing Thoughts on Freedom, Parenting, and Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we open with a look at how news coverage distorts public perception of danger, from shark attacks to terrorism, and why our instincts so often fail to match the data. We analyze the betting markets in regards to potential 2028 GOP presidential candidates. We discuss Ohio’s new proposal to offer paternity testing at birth, raising deeper questions about truth, family, and whether the state should standardize knowledge people may prefer not to have. We explore what consent really means in modern politics, how taxation relates to self-ownership, and whether withdrawing consent is even possible inside a democratic system. We dig into the philosophy of “future selves,” weighing whether personal choices today can violate the rights of the person we eventually become, and how this idea might reshape debates about children, drug laws, responsibility, and property rights. We wrap with the growing implications of deepfake technology, including one startling clip that hits very close to home. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:31 America’s Real Causes of Death vs. Media Coverage 04:54 Heart Disease, Suicide, Homicide: Comparing Risk to Headlines 07:47 Terrorism Coverage and the Outlier Problem 09:27 Why Our Brains Misread Danger 11:48 New Ohio Bill on Paternity Testing 13:59 The Ethics of Mandatory vs. Optional Paternity Tests 17:05 PolyMarket Odds for 2028 GOP Presidential Candidates 21:48 What Yoga Can Teach Economists About Property Rights 23:31 Self-Ownership, Labor, and the Logic of Markets 27:01 Voting, Consent, and Withdrawing From the Regime 34:13 Environmental Ethics and “Not Stealing From the Earth” 36:23 Can You “Steal” From Your Future Self? 37:25 Identity Over Time: Are You the Same Person Decades Later? 42:08 Do Children Have Full Rights? And When Should They? 43:42 Drug Laws, Nanny States, and Personal Autonomy 45:21 Age Restrictions and the Problem of Arbitrary Lines 50:34 Should Your Future Self Be Considered a Separate Entity? 56:28 AI Voice Impersonation and AI Safety Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we discuss the fallout from the government shutdown and how delays in federal economic data, including the Consumer Price Index and jobs reports, leave policymakers and the public effectively “driving without headlights.” We examine the broader risks of making monetary decisions without timely information and the political incentives surrounding data transparency. We turn to new reporting on Border Patrol surveillance, exploring constitutional concerns raised by nationwide license-plate monitoring, predictive algorithms, and civil asset forfeiture. We highlight the “foolishness of the week,” a Thanksgiving trend piece on secretly stoned dinner guests, before shifting to a Thanksgiving tradition of our own as we reflect on what we’re thankful not to have, from VAT taxes and debtors’ prisons to hostile borders, historic diseases, and restrictions on homeschooling and peaceful protest. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:33 The Government Shutdown’s Aftermath 04:55 Border Patrol’s Expanding 100-Mile Authority 07:13 Predictive Policing, License Plate Tracking, and Searches 11:24 Civil Asset Forfeiture and Presumed Guilt 13:41 Foolishness of the Week: The “Stoned Thanksgiving Guests” Trend 15:57 What We’re Thankful to Not Have 16:35 Value Added Tax 18:28 Vaccines and the Elimination of Deadly Diseases 20:50 Free Speech and Peaceful Protest 22:08 Women’s Rights 23:53 Guns as the Great Equalizer 28:08 Homeschooling Freedoms and Education Restrictions of the Past 32:40 Criminalization of Debt and Bankruptcy Laws 34:05 Why Jailing People for Using Drugs is a Stupid Idea 36:08 Friendly International Neighbors 37:11 Declining Poverty 38:46 Closing Thoughts on Gratitude and a Better World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we discuss the firing of an FBI trainee over an LGBTQ+ flag and the broader tensions surrounding free speech, impartiality, and government workplaces. We examine conflicting messages from Trump and J.D. Vance about the state of the economy, along with the role tariffs and consumer sentiment play in shaping public perceptions. We highlight the “foolishness of the week,” involving a MAGA supporter accused of staging a hate crime, and we explore new polling that reveals surprising levels of national consensus on political violence, facts versus opinions, multiculturalism, and the influence of wealthy donors. We also break down what Americans really agree on, why those shared beliefs matter, and how they shape the health of our democratic system. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:29 FBI Fires Agent Over LGBTQ Flag Dispute 02:39 Political Neutrality and Ideology in Law Enforcement 04:48 Trump’s Economic Messaging vs. Consumer Sentiment 07:38 J.D. Vance’s Call for Patience 09:25 The Lingering Impact of Tariffs on the Economy 11:39 Foolishness of the Week: The MAGA Hoax Incident 15:46 Historical Parallels: Jussie Smollett and Tawana Brawley 17:55 National Consensus: Americans Overwhelmingly Reject Political Violence 22:13 Are Facts Real? Public Pushback Against Moral Relativism 25:51 What Americans Really Think About Diversity and Multicultural Strength 37:27 Where Consensus Breaks: Pace of Cultural Change 39:50 Government’s Role in Basic Needs 45:24 Wealth, Billionaires, and Limiting Political Influence 50:11 Is Democracy the Best System—and Is Ours Working? 53:15 Closing Thoughts on Civic Respect and Shared Values Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Words & Numbers Live is a members only series exclusive to CiVL.com in which Antony and James discuss politics, philosophy, and economics, and invite listeners for a live Q&A session. To participate, subscribe at CiVL.com, where you can see what lectures we have coming up, and access all of our Words & Numbers content. James and Antony take listener questions on politics, philosophy, and economics and how they matter for upgrading civilization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we discuss the rising backlash to last week’s comments about Nick Fuentes, the distinction between personal judgment and deplatforming, and the broader question of what ideas belong in public discourse. We explore the failures of remedial education across major universities, the collapsing academic standards that allow students to advance without basic literacy and numeracy, and the systemic incentives that push institutions to “get students through” rather than educate them. We examine the roots of the public-school crisis, the role of property-tax funding, the constraints of unionized pay structures, and why market incentives and genuine school choice may be the only workable path forward. We also revisit lessons from the Soviet Union, grocery-store abundance, and what markets reveal about human flourishing in ways central planning never can. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:19 The Camino Story and Unexpected Love of Hiking 05:03 Walking Ancient Roman Roads with Modern Tech 07:50 Criticism, Free Speech, and the Nick Fuentes Debate 13:24 Where to Draw the Line on Platforming Extremists 14:49 The Difference Between Preference and Censorship 18:43 Foolishness of the Week: University of Arizona AI Prompting Class 20:13 College Remediation and the Math Skills Crisis 23:08 The Collapse of Writing Standards in Higher Education 24:31 Why Students Aren’t Being Educated Before College 29:08 Public Schools, Property Taxes, and Unequal Outcomes 33:53 Why Money and Teacher Quality Don’t Correlate 35:34 School Choice, Competition, and Market Incentives 37:02 Why Centralized Solutions Don’t Work in Education 39:50 Markets, Feedback Loops, and Real Accountability 46:11 Closing Thoughts and Listener Send-Off 47:33 Aftershow: Khrushchev, Yeltsin, and the Grocery Store Lesson 53:51 The Power of Markets: Food, Abundance, and Freedom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we discuss how Meta and its algorithms shape what we see online, why the penny has finally been discontinued, and the legal and economic complications that follow from eliminating small denominations. For the “foolishness of the week,” we highlight a small-town newspaper that was awarded a $3 million settlement stemming from an unlawful raid, and the First Amendment implications it raises. We examine the disconnect between a sluggish economy and soaring asset prices, discuss how Fed policy and excess liquidity fuel inflation in financial markets, and consider what rising bubbles in stocks, housing, gold, and bitcoin mean for retirement planning and long-term investment behavior. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:37 Meta Entertainment and Hot Wheels 04:49 The Discontinuation of the Penny 06:45 How Eliminating Pennies Would Affect Retailers and Consumers 11:18 Who Actually Has the Power to Change U.S. Currency 12:49 Reflections on U.S. Currency 15:57 Foolishness of the Week: $3 Million Newspaper Raid Settlement 18:05 Press Freedom, Accountability, and Government Overreach 20:58 Understanding Financial Bubbles 24:29 Why the Markets Aren’t Reflecting Economic Reality 27:35 The Fed’s Liquidity Regime and Phantom Wealth 33:56 Unintended Consequences of Economic Policies 37:55 Investing in a Changing Economy 38:49 Retirement Planning in a Bubble-Driven Economy 41:11 Learning from Historical Economic Events 43:14 Personal Anecdotes and Economic Trends 45:12 Future of Investments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we examine the growing disconnect between education theory and classroom reality, as academic research drifts toward identity themes while teachers confront daily behavioral and practical challenges. We discuss the BBC’s misleading edits of Trump’s January 6 remarks and what the scandal reveals about media trust, then turn to a “foolishness of the week” on claims about podcasting’s diversity problem. We analyze new polling that shows Trump losing ground with Republicans and independents, rising economic frustration, and how political pressure is driving shifts on tariffs, immigration, and labor policy. We also touch on the Epstein files debate and the constitutional limits on congressional speech, considering how these controversies reflect changing public opinion and the incentives that push policymakers back toward the center. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:34 Academia’s Incentive Problem 07:47 BBC Scandal and Leadership Failures 11:13 The “Podcast Diversity” Study 13:01 Social Media Algorithms and Reel Addiction 16:36 Trump’s Approval Slide and Voter Frustration 22:00 What Off-Year Elections Reveal 23:20 Inflation, Consumer Sentiment, and Economic Strain 25:29 Trump’s Tariffs and Mercantilist Policies 29:24 Immigration Shifts and Labor Shortages 35:09 Government Limits 37:50 Epstein Files and Foreign Influence Concerns 43:48 Shutdown Fallout and The Republican Midterm Strategy 49:49 Hope for the Future Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we take a close look at the growing complexity of legislation in the age of artificial intelligence and how longer, denser bills create new incentives for politicians to hide provisions that voters would never spot on their own. We also examine the Trump administration’s new visa rules, including the unexpected decision to classify obesity as grounds for denial, and what this says about public policy and shifting cultural norms. We analyze Trump’s proposal for $2,000 tariff-funded checks and the Supreme Court case that could unravel the entire tariff structure, followed by a deeper dive into the real economics of trade, revenue, and political incentives. We finish with a look at the housing market, the push for 50-year mortgages, and why extending loan terms does little to address the underlying supply constraints driving home prices and unaffordability. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:28 The Future of Legislation in the Age of AI 08:07 No Visas for Obese People 12:12 Foolishness of the Week: $2,000 Checks for All Americans 19:40 Trump’s Political Gambit 22:35 Budget Deficits and the Myth of Tariff Revenue 28:13 The Housing Affordability Crisis 31:16 Mortgage Rates, Down Payments, and Lending Standards 35:56 The 50-Year Mortgage Proposal and Its Real Costs 45:08 30-Year vs 50-Year Mortgage Interest Rates 51:51 Are Tiny Homes the Solution? 53:50 How Politicians Could Implement 50-Year Mortgages 56:17 The Role of Banks in the Lending Business 57:18 What Mortgages and Loans Allow 01:03:20 Predictions for 50-Year Mortgages 01:07:01 Is Inflation Falling? 01:09:19 Conclusions on Mortgages and Lending 01:13:06 James’s Personal Mortgage Story 01:15:41 The Problems with Higher Education and Student Loans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we discuss false scarcity and how fear drives bad economic decisions, comparing self-sufficiency with the global benefits of free trade and the trust that arises from voluntary exchange. We examine the economics of water management, from property rights and groundwater to desalination and market incentives for conservation. We also cover corruption in sports betting, political hypocrisy in market regulation, and the populist rise of figures like Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes. We explore the decline of moderation in American politics, the failures of the two-party system, and what genuine self-government could look like in a more responsible democracy. 00:00 Introduction and Listener Mail 02:56 The Illusion of Scarcity and Economic Fear 04:14 Self-Sufficiency vs. the Benefits of Global Trade 05:11 Trust, Trade, and Peace Between Nations 08:24 Water Rights and the Economics of Groundwater 10:18 Innovation, Desalination, and Market Incentives 13:17 Sports Betting, Corruption, and the UFC Scandal 16:50 The Economics of Insider Trading 19:26 Foolishness of the Week: YouTube TV and Disney 24:05 Tucker Carlson, Nick Fuentes, and Political Extremes 28:21 The Rise of Populism and the Fall of Moderation 34:03 How Social Media Empowers Extremists 45:29 The Need for Statesmanship Over Leadership 51:51 Breaking the Two-Party Grip on Power 54:08 How to Restore Self-Government and Public Trust Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we discuss vacuum espionage, election polling, voter bias, and the persistence of the “hidden Republican” phenomenon, before turning to the Foolishness of the Week on Barack Obama’s shifting racial politics. We then speak with historian David Beito, author of FDR: A New Political Life, about Franklin D. Roosevelt’s lasting impact on American governance. We examine how FDR reshaped the federal government through progressivism, centralized planning, and the expansion of executive power, connecting his presidency to modern debates over welfare, economic rights, and political authority. We also explore the contradictions of FDR’s leadership, his charisma and pragmatism alongside his willingness to suppress dissent, and how his policies continue to influence government and public trust today. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:53 The Smart Vacuum That Spied 04:25 Off-Year Elections in California and New York 06:55 Polling Bias and the Hidden Republican Vote 09:15 Foolishness of the Week: Barack Obama 10:21 Race, Identity, and Political Opportunism 15:36 Guest Introduction: Historian David Beito 16:58 Debunking the FDR Myth 18:20 FDR’s Progressive Ideology and Power Mindset 26:45 Central Planning and the New Deal 29:09 Comparing FDR to Modern Presidents 31:09 What If FDR Hadn’t Died in Office? 34:53 FDR’s Second Bill of Rights 40:18 Why the Great Depression Lasted Longer in America 43:24 FDR’s Legacy of Surveillance and Bureaucracy 48:10 Emergency Powers and Modern Parallels 52:26 Closing Reflections and Book Plug Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Words & Numbers Live is a members only series exclusive to CiVL.com in which Antony and James discuss politics, philosophy, and economics, and invite listeners for a live Q&A session. To participate, subscribe at CiVL.com, where you can see what lectures we have coming up, and access all of our Words & Numbers content. Unintended consequences arise when decision makers impose decisions on people and those people react in ways the decision makers didn’t anticipate. Unintended consequences can’t be fixed through better decision making because the problem doesn’t arise from the decision maker. They arise from the fact that people are being forced to behave in a way they’d rather not behave. We'll walk through myriad examples of well-intended laws and regulations that resulted in unintended consequences that either reversed or mitigated the policy makers’ intentions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we examine how Americans view government power and economic responsibility during another federal shutdown. We discuss growing distrust of federal authority, confusion over who holds real power, and how political brinkmanship creates real-world consequences such as missed paychecks, grounded flights, and suspended food aid. We cover the ethics of welfare and workfare, the balance between private charity and public assistance, and the economic effects of shutdowns, tariffs, and education spending. Together, these issues reveal how political dysfunction continues to weaken public trust and fiscal stability. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:30 The Myth of Hard Work and the American Dream 01:58 Capitalism vs. Socialism 03:41 Public Distrust in Federal Power 06:43 Trump’s Tariffs and the Economics of Uncertainty 09:56 Trump Derangement Syndrome 12:42 Do Billionaires Really Hoard Wealth? 19:18 Foolishness of the Week: Arizona’s $80 Million Stadium 22:58 Education Spending and Misplaced Government Priorities 25:20 The Real Cost of a Government Shutdown 29:13 Welfare Reform and the Ethics of Government Aid 32:40 Private Charity vs. Public Assistance 35:05 Flight Delays Due to Shutdown and Thanksgiving 39:17 Who Eats the Losses of a Shutdown? 45:31 Healthcare Costs, Subsidies, and Political Optics 49:09 How Shutdowns Expose Government Dysfunction 51:12 How Will the Shutdown End? 57:01 No Happy End in Sight 59:14 Dream Podcast Guests and Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we discuss Denmark’s proposal to grant citizens ownership of their face, voice, and likeness to combat AI deepfakes, and the ethical and legal implications of personal identity rights in the digital age. We highlight the “foolishness of the week” involving tariffs and political overreaction to a Canadian ad campaign, and explore the concept of sound money with guest Jp Cortez of the Sound Money Defense League. The conversation covers gold and silver as currency, the consequences of fiat money and inflation, and how monetary policy shapes economic freedom, government power, and personal responsibility. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:27 Denmark's Copyright Law 02:39 AI Deepfakes and Property Rights 05:10 Unintended Consequences of the Law 08:29 The Ethical Implications of AI Deepfakes 10:47 Foolishness of the Week: Reagan's AI Ad 12:16 Trump’s Reaction to the Reagan Ad 15:01 Introduction to Jp Cortez and Sound Money Defense League 15:25 Re-monetizing Gold and Silver 17:09 Sound Money Index Explained 19:04 Challenges with the US Dollar 21:28 Gold's Stability and Historical Context 26:34 The Role of States in Sound Money 30:25 Practical Implications of Sound Money 37:24 The Moral and Ethical Case for Sound Money 42:12 Congress’s Role in Taxation 46:28 Sound Money as a Safeguard Against Failed Government 48:05 Global Trends in Gold and Silver 51:05 The Meaning of the Price of Gold 53:39 The Impact of Monetary Policy on Poverty 55:49 Why Gold Has Stood the Test of Time 01:00:07 Conclusion and Call to Action Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Words & Numbers Live is a members only series exclusive to CiVL.com in which Antony and James discuss politics, philosophy, and economics, and invite listeners for a live Q&A session. To participate, subscribe at CiVL.com, where you can see what lectures we have coming up, and access all of our Words & Numbers content. We don’t “know” nearly as much as we think we do, and this causes all kinds of political problems. How do we come to know things, and what does that mean in terms of our goals and plans? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we examine new polling on tax policy and the debate over taxing the rich, analyzing how effective tax rates and government spending affect deficit reduction. We discuss a breakthrough in medical innovation that has helped restore sight to patients with macular degeneration, and highlight the growing problem of political crassness in this week’s foolishness. We address a listener question on state pension reform and the inefficiencies of public bureaucracy, and explore how economic incentives influence behavior in areas such as conservation, resource management, and everyday decision-making. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:25 Taxing the Rich to Reduce Federal Debt 09:06 The Problem with Corporate Taxes 11:22 The Only Solution to the Spending Problem 12:33 A Cure for Blindness 15:25 Karoline Leavitt’s “Your Mom” Joke 18:03 Trump’s No Kings Protest AI Video 19:57 Municipal Workers Held Captive by State Pension Systems 23:16 Perverse Incentives Sustain Bureaucratic Systems 29:33 The Human Drive to Utilize vs. Cultivate Resources 35:38 The Consequences and Dangers of Internet Dependence 38:57 The Fragility of Internet Infrastructure 41:20 Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we examine the effectiveness of political protest in the wake of the No Kings demonstrations, new polling regarding Trump’s approval rating among different voting demographics, and the prospects of the president’s removal from office. We discuss a case under consideration by the Supreme Court regarding marijuana usage and gun ownership, and the implications that arise from infringement on liberties. We also dive into a case regarding a Karen who sued her neighbor over the smell of marijuana, and relate it to many other problems currently plaguing our society. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:29 The Effectiveness of Protests 05:54 The No Kings Protests 07:01 Removing Trump From Office 10:44 Trump’s Approval Rating Poll 14:35 Supreme Court Considering Case on Marijuana Use and Gun Ownership  17:12 Rights and Limits in The Constitution 20:58 The Potential Implications of a 2nd Amendment Ruling 23:23 Karen Sues Over Marijuana Smell 29:37 Masks and Other Petty Civil Disagreements 34:22 The Pronoun Debate 36:32 Making Demands of Our Neighbors 39:11 The Value of Community and the Necessity of Integration 40:39 The Benefits of Compromise 44:26 Human Respect and Conclusions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices