As explained in its subtitle, Jonathan Haidt’s 2012 book “The Righteous Mind” considers “Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion,” and James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at some of the key concepts presented in the book and discuss how they see some of them play out in our modern society. NOTE: This podcast contains spoilers.The Righteous Mind (Penguin Random House)
With the Supreme Court reportedly poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss how the decades long effort which brought us here and consider what types of circumstances justify, and do not justify, the government dictating personal healthcare decisions (01:40). The guys also take a look at recent research which establishes that modern humans were around much earlier than previously believed (34:35). Supreme Court has voted to overturn abortion rights, draft opinion shows (Politico)How the Supreme Court went from cementing abortion rights in Roe v. Wade to drafting their demise (CNBC)Where Americans Stand On Abortion, In 5 Charts (538)What Is Jacobson v. Massachusetts? How Supreme Court Ruled on Vaccine Mandate in 1905 (Newsweek)Oldest remains of modern humans are much older than thought, researchers say (USA Today)There used to be nine species of human. What happened to them? (National Post)What if other human species hadn’t died out (BBC)
James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider why the affinity many Americans profess for things like democracy and market economies often appears to be very conditional on the outcome being produced(01:34). The guys also discuss the idea of toxic productivity and how the feeling that one needs to be accessible and productive may be harmful for our health (36:31). Do Americans Still Care About Democracy? (Bloomberg)Bellyaching and howls vs. NIL can’t stop American commerce — and don’t expect Congress to stop it (Yahoo! Sports)What are the most important American values? (USAHello)The Dangerous Trap of Toxic Productivity—and How to Break the Cycle (Real Simple) (Apple News Link)
Seeing Senator Bernie Sanders’ push to get the U.S. government to end its contracts with Amazon over the company’s labor practices, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider the boundaries of the legitimate use of government power and whether labor and unions still have a place in society (01:34). The guys also compare Sanders’ push to Florida governor Ron Desantis’ recent move to punish Disney for speaking against a recent Florida law (25:02) and discuss the importance of action in bringing about positive change in one’s life (41:38). Sanders calls on Biden to cut Amazon out of U.S. federal contracts (Reuters)Amazon workers in New York City vote to unionize, a first for the company (PBS)Amazon workers reject union bid at second Staten Island warehouse (The Guardian)How Amazon keeps a close eye on employee activism to head off unions (CNBC)How Amazon Crushes Unions (NY Times)Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (Wikipedia)GOP Governor Hutchinson Blasts DeSantis Over Disney Fight in Florida (Newsweek)Here’s How Disney Could Block—Or Benefit From—Republicans Killing Its Special District (Forbes)Show Up. Mood Follows Action (Pocket)
“Prohibition”, the 2011 documentary miniseries, gives a pretty extensive look at America’s experiment with the prohibition of alcohol, and James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss what stood out most in this Ken Burns and Lynn Novick documentary as well as the lessons we can and should take away from America’s failed prohibition experiment.Prohibition: A Film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick (PBS)Prohibition: A Film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick (Amazon Prime Video)
James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss how several recent of laws and regulations enacted by Florida’s state government reveal an unmistakable trend of seizing power from local authorities and requiring that everyone follow decrees coming from the state capitol (01:11). The guys also react to recent research which offers new insight into how the lifespan of mammals, including human beings, tends to work (36:07). Florida rejects 41% of new math textbooks, citing critical race theory among its reasons (CNN)DeSantis signs bill requiring Florida students, professors to register political views with state (Salon)Florida’s law limiting LGBTQ discussion in schools, explained (WaPo)Fla. governor signs bill requiring moment for school prayer (AP)Florida lawmakers stopped cities from banning natural gas. Climate change plans suffered (Miami Herald)Culture war is smart politics for DeSantis and Republicans (Yahoo News)Mystery of why humans die around 80 may finally be solved (Yahoo News)
James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana react to a piece from Nobel laureate journalist and author Maria Ressa that breaks down how today’s media environment is in many ways biased against facts and explains how this can affect us all and threaten our societies (01:27). The guys also discuss several unhealthy habits that many people have and how we can try to overcome the tendencies which lead us to them (36:33). We’re All Being Manipulated the Same Way (The Atlantic)Prevention Magazine – 7 Unhelpful Habits Everyone Should Quit (Apple News)
Seeing both the recent jump in gas prices and also the inflation on lots of items that has been building for some time, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the economic conditions that are leading to these things and whether there is any end in sight (01:35). The guys also discuss what has been termed as the “collapse “ in U.S. population growth and why could be cause for concern (35:37).A key inflation gauge sets 40-year high as gas and food soar (AP)Opinion: Gas prices are way up, but real cost of driving a mile was higher for most of the past century (MarketWatch)Unemployment hits pandemic low in March, but uncertainty looms ahead (WaPo)Here’s where the jobs are — in one chart (CNBC)Why U.S. Population Growth Is Collapsing (The Atlantic)
The metaverse is coming, and it appears it could transform our real and virtual lives, so James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at what is starting to happen in nascent platforms and consider what makes the metaverse both an exciting and risking commercial opportunity (01:24). The guys also discuss recent reports that microplastics have been found circulating in human body (31:31). Making money in the metaverse: Early adopters seek real-life fortunes in virtual world (CBS News)Why Wall Street thinks the metaverse will be worth trillions (Forbes) (Apple News)How To Buy Land & Real Estate In The Metaverse (Forbes)How the metaverse will transform health (Vitamin Z)A Japanese company wants you to feel real pain in the metaverse (InterestingEngineering.com)Microplastics have been found in air, water, food and now … human blood (Yahoo!)How to Eat Less Plastic (Consumer Reports)
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was put in place over 70 years ago in response to the threat posed by the Soviet Union, and James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at how the alliance has responded to Russia’s recent aggression in Ukraine and how this aggression has illustrated its continued importance (01:29). The guys also react to recent research into so called “elite sleepers” and discuss how this trait can be both helpful and harmful in navigating life’s many challenges (40:16). How the West Marshaled a Stunning Show of Unity Against Russia (NY Times)‘Every inch of NATO’: Blinken seeks to deter any Russia thought of pushing beyond Ukraine (WaPo)What Is NATO’s Article 5? (History.com)Only NATO Can Save Putin (The Atlantic)Video – Secretary Blinken Says Russian President Putin “Surprised” by NATO Solidarity on Ukraine (CSPAN)What ‘elite sleepers’ can tell us all about the eight hour myth (Yahoo)
