Archives: Episode

The Falling Crime Rate and Americans’ Disconnect from Reality; Also, Tipping is as American as Apple Pie

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at the stats on the crime rate in the U.S., which by the numbers seems to be falling, and consider what it means that the vast majority of Americans perceive that crime is increasing (1:28).  The guys also discuss tipping, how it seems to be becoming more widespread with the use of technology, and whether expectations on tipping could ever go so far to create a real backlash (40:20). Most people think the U.S. crime rate is rising. They’re wrong. (NBC News)Has Gratuity Culture Reached a Tipping Point? (The New Yorker) (Apple News Link)

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Call It Like I See It
Call It Like I See It
The Falling Crime Rate and Americans’ Disconnect from Reality; Also, Tipping is as American as Apple Pie
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Streaming Between the Lines – Seeing Oppenheimer Through Both a Documentary and a Summer Blockbuster

(SPOLIER ALERT) James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana react to Christopher Nolan’s 2023 blockbuster film, “Oppenheimer” and David Grubin’s 2009 PBS documentary film “The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer,” and take a look at how each delved into the life of Oppenheimer and highlighted both his leading of the team which developed the first atomic bomb in the 1940s and his subsequent fall from grace due to alleged ties to communism during what is called the second Red Scare period in American History.The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer (2009) (PBS)The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer (YouTube)Oppenheimer (2023) (Oppenheimermovie.com)

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Call It Like I See It
Call It Like I See It
Streaming Between the Lines - Seeing Oppenheimer Through Both a Documentary and a Summer Blockbuster
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Trump Disqualification Decisions Pit the Constitution Against Your Feelings or Fears; Also, 2023 the Warmest on Record

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider how the recent rulings out of Colorado and Maine that Donald Trump is ineligible to be president put their desires and/or ideals in conflict with what the Constitution dictates (1:42).  The guys also discuss whether 2023 being the warmest year on record will create more urgency or apathy as far as taking action to deal with the climate (45:20). Colorado Supreme Court declares Donald Trump is ineligible for the White House (AP News)Maine’s secretary of state tells NPR why she disqualified Trump from the ballot (NPR)Will Trump’s disqualification case be Bush v. Gore for 2024? (The Hill)The Colorado Ruling Changed My Mind (The Atlantic) (Apple News link)The Sweep and Force of Section Three (UPenn Law Review)It’s over: 2023 was Earth’s hottest year, experts say. (USA Today)2023 was Earth’s warmest on record. Will this year be even hotter? (WaPo)

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Call It Like I See It
Call It Like I See It
Trump Disqualification Decisions Pit the Constitution Against Your Feelings or Fears; Also, 2023 the Warmest on Record
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The Politics of Star Wars as a Warning to Democratic Societies; Also, is Human Immortality in Reach?

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana react to an excellent video from Arken the Amerikan entitled “How Liberty Dies: The Politics of Star Wars” and discuss how the politics of Star Wars contain real world lessons for democratic societies (1:29).  The guys also take a look at some of the efforts being taken by some billionaire to achieve immortality, and the science that seemingly stands in their way (50:41).How Liberty Dies: The Politics of Star Wars, by Arken the Amerikan (YouTube)Why You’ll (Probably) Never Live Forever (Popular Mechanics) (Apple News Link)

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Call It Like I See It
Call It Like I See It
The Politics of Star Wars as a Warning to Democratic Societies; Also, is Human Immortality in Reach?
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Hip Hop’s Evolution over 50 Years Reflects and Drives Culture; Also, Rap Lyrics as Evidence in Court

As hip hop turns 50, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss how culture and technology have influenced both its founding and its development over the years and react to the documentary “Hip Hop at 50: Rhythms, Rhymes & Reflections,” which is currently airing on Hulu (1:35).  The guys also take a look at the ongoing effort by prosecutors in the RICO case against Young Thugs to use his lyrics against him in court and consider the pro wrestling nature of some rapper’s lyrics and personas (46:12).Hip-hop 50: The party that started hip-hop (BBC)Hip Hop at 50: Rhythms, Rhymes & Reflections (Hulu)Fat Joe Says ‘I’ve Lied in Almost 95 Percent of My Songs,’ Defends Young Thug Amid Lyrics Being Used In RICO Trial (Complex)

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Call It Like I See It
Call It Like I See It
Hip Hop’s Evolution over 50 Years Reflects and Drives Culture; Also, Rap Lyrics as Evidence in Court
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Israel’s Role in The Propping Up of Hamas Financially in Gaza; Also, Richest 1% Driving Climate Change

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the recent reporting coming out of the Middle East that for years now, Israel’s government had played a role in the propping up of Hamas’ government in Gaza through its backing of millions in funds from Qatar (1:51).  The guys also react to the report that the riches 1% of people in the world are putting as much climate change driving carbon in the atmosphere as the poorest 2/3 of people in the world (42:47).‘Buying Quiet’: Inside the Israeli Plan That Propped Up Hamas (NY Times)Qatar sent millions to Gaza for years – with Israel’s backing. Here’s what we know about the controversial deal (CNN)Freeing hostages, hosting Hamas: Qatar’s influence in Israel-Gaza war, explained (NPR)The United States and Qatar: Strategic Partners Advancing Peace and Security (US Dept. of State)What Trump’s Qatar Tweets Revealed (The Atlantic)World’s richest 1% emitting enough carbon to cause heat-related deaths for 1.3 million people, report finds (CBS)

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Call It Like I See It
Call It Like I See It
Israel’s Role in The Propping Up of Hamas Financially in Gaza; Also, Richest 1% Driving Climate Change
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George Santos Leaps Over the Line for Lying in Politics; Also, the Muslim American Push to Abandon Biden

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the expulsion of George Santos from the U.S. House of Representatives and consider the extent to which people tolerate, or even embrace, lying from politicians (1:37).  The guys also take a look at what some may call a quixotic push by some us Muslim Americans to abandon Joe Biden in 2024 because of his stance on the Israeli – Hamas war (42:02).House votes to expel indicted Rep. George Santos from Congress  (NBC News)Santos, now booted from the House, got elected as a master of duplicity – here’s how it worked (The Conversation)Pathological Lying in Politics (Psychology Today)These Republicans Are Furious an Indicted Serial Liar Is No Longer in Congress (Rolling Stone)Why people tolerate politicians’ lies. (Fortinberry Murray)Republican congressman says George Santos defrauded him and his mother (NBC News)John Fetterman Pays George Santos to Troll Bob Menendez (Daily Beast)Swing-state Muslim leaders launch campaign to ‘abandon’ Biden in 2024 (Politico)Muslim Americans in swing states launch anti-Biden campaign (Axios)

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Call It Like I See It
Call It Like I See It
George Santos Leaps Over the Line for Lying in Politics; Also, the Muslim American Push to Abandon Biden
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The OpenAI Turmoil Exposes the Conflict Between Its Mission and Its Practice; Also, Is Eye Contact Rare?

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the turmoil that took place recently with OpenAI and its leadership, including key things that seemed to set the stage for it and the path things seem to be on in its aftermath, and consider whether the exercise of caution in the development of AI is even possible (1:34).  The guys also discuss eye contact and take a look at a recent study which suggests that people rarely make direct eye contact when conversing with strangers (48:51). OpenAI Tried to Fire Sam Altman. It Only Made Him More Powerful. (The Ringer)OpenAI’s board might have been dysfunctional–but they made the right choice. Their defeat shows that in the battle between AI profits and ethics, it’s no contest (Fortune)Sam Altman Returns as OpenAI CEO. Here’s How It Happened (Time)The Unsettling Lesson of the OpenAI Mess (NY Times)Unpacking the hype around OpenAI’s rumored new Q* model (MIT Technology Review)Businesses, tech groups warn EU against over-regulating AI foundation models (Reuters)Making Eye Contact With Someone Has a Surprisingly Powerful Hidden Effect (Science Alert)

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Call It Like I See It
Call It Like I See It
The OpenAI Turmoil Exposes the Conflict Between Its Mission and Its Practice; Also, Is Eye Contact Rare?
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Making Sense of an Economy That Looks Pretty Good but Doesn’t Feel So Good; Also, Vikings Sailed the Ocean Blue Before 1492

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the apparent disconnect between what the numbers are telling us about the economy, which is that it is doing pretty well, and the negative view of the economy that is reflected in recent polling and just general sentiment (1:57).  The guys also react to new evidence that confirms that the Vikings were traveling back and forth to North America up to 500 years before Columbus (45:54). Economic Viewpoints: Retail Sales Dip, But Consumers Keep Spending (US Chamber of Commerce)CNN Poll: Half of Americans think the economy is getting worse, despite months of stronger economic news (CNN)The Share of Americans Who Are Mortgage-Free Is at an All-Time High (Bloomberg)Never Mind the 1%. Mini-Millionaires Are Where Wealth Is Growing Fastest (WSJ) (Apple News Link) How the American middle class has changed in the past five decades (Pew Research Center)Javier Milei, a Self-Described Anarcho-Capitalist, Is Elected President of Argentina (WSJ) (Apple News Link)A Stunning Discovery Proves That Vikings Reached the Americas Before Columbus (Popular Mechanics)

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Call It Like I See It
Call It Like I See It
Making Sense of an Economy That Looks Pretty Good but Doesn't Feel So Good; Also, Vikings Sailed the Ocean Blue Before 1492
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Tuberville’s Block of Military Promotions Shows Contempt for U.S. Values; Also, Is a Little Walking Like Viagra for Men?

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss ongoing blockade of the confirmation of military promotions by Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and how his “my way or the highway” approach is so antithetical to the principle of compromise that is baked into the U.S. system by the Constitution  (1:10).  The guys also react to a recent study which suggests that walking can be as good as Viagra for men (44:32). Why a single senator is blocking US military promotions and what it means for the Pentagon (AP)Military families and retired service members lobby to end Tuberville’s blockade (CBS News)Tommy Tuberville Has Taken Another Breathtakingly Bad Stance on Diversity (Vanity Fair)Sen. Tuberville criticized for remarks on white nationalists: ‘I call them Americans’ (AP)Senate Republicans erupt in anger over Tuberville’s military freeze (WaPo)’Lying to America’: GOP lawmaker blasts his fellow Republicans, vows he won’t seek reelection (USA Today)There’s a Free, Low-Risk Alternative to Viagra, Study Shows (Science Alert)

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Call It Like I See It
Call It Like I See It
Tuberville’s Block of Military Promotions Shows Contempt for U.S. Values; Also, Is a Little Walking Like Viagra for Men?
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