Ezra Klein invites you into a conversation on something that matters. How do we address climate change if the political system fails to act? Has the logic of markets infiltrated too many aspects of our lives? What is the future of the Republican Party? What do psychedelics teach us about consciousness? What does sci-fi understand about our present that we miss? Can our food system be just to humans and animals alike? Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher.
Maintenance serves as a foundational pillar of civilization, encompassing everything from biological survival to the care of complex technological systems. Stewart Brand, author of The Maintenance of Everything, Part One and creator of the Whole Earth Catalog, argues that maintenance is a vital, contemplative practice ...
Alex Bores, a New York State Assembly member and former Palantir employee, examines the escalating tension between democratic governance and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. The discussion centers on the "RAISE Act," a pioneering AI safety law Bores authored, and the subsequent aggressive political opp...
The U.S. tax system disproportionately favors the ultra-wealthy by allowing them to avoid taxable income through low salaries and the strategic use of unrealized capital gains. Ray Madoff, a professor at Boston College Law School, explains that billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk fund lavish lifestyles by borrow...
The "one-state reality" across the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea has moved from a theoretical framework to an undeniable geopolitical fact. Political scientists Shibley Telhami and Marc Lynch argue that the two-state solution is a defunct fantasy, as Israel has established permanent, sove...
The conversation centers on Trump's foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding Iran, and their implications for America's global standing. It critiques Trump's approach as a departure from traditional U.S. foreign policy, characterized by a short-term, extractive mindset rather than a commitment to global leaders...
The podcast explores the state of America's war with Iran, questioning whether either side can claim victory. Suzanne Maloney, a leading Iran expert, suggests Iran believes it has the upper hand due to its control of the Strait of Hormuz, despite suffering significant military and leadership losses. This control allows...
The podcast explores the multifaceted nature of consciousness, questioning its very definition and how it shapes human experience. Michael Pollan, author of "A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness," discusses experiments aimed at measuring consciousness, including one where he recorded his thoughts using a beepe...
The discussion centers on the nature and potential decline of Trumpism as a political project. Christopher Caldwell, contributing editor at the Claremont Review of Books, argues that Trump's actions, particularly regarding the war in Iran and self-dealing, contradict the interests of his base and undermine his populist...
The global energy crisis sparked by conflict in the Middle East is explored, focusing on the potential for a severe supply shock and its economic consequences. Jason Bordoff, Director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, explains how the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chok...
The conversation explores Naomi Klein's book "Doppelganger," which examines the phenomenon of mirror worlds and the shifting political landscape, particularly the rise of a new MAGA right. Klein discusses how the pandemic scrambled traditional political coordinates, leading to unexpected alliances and the allure of thi...
The podcast explores the history of the complex relationship between Iran, Israel, and the United States, focusing on the evolution and miscalculations that have led to current tensions. It begins with the Iranian Revolution and the hostage crisis, highlighting the long-standing resentment towards the U.S. due to histo...
The conversation centers on Donald Trump's foreign policy, particularly regarding Iran, and whether his actions align with a consistent doctrine. Nadia Schadlow, former deputy national security advisor, offers insights into Trump's perspective, describing it as "flexible realism," which prioritizes national interests a...
The conversation centers on the ethical and governance challenges posed by increasingly powerful AI systems, particularly concerning national security and potential misuse. Dean Ball, a former AI policy advisor, joins to discuss the Department of War's conflict with Anthropic, an AI company, over usage restrictions, es...
The conversation centers on the implications of the United States and Israel's military actions against Iran, questioning whether it represents a shift in US foreign policy towards "head-on-a-pike" tactics. Ben Rhodes, former advisor to President Obama, joins the discussion, expressing concerns about the potential for ...
The podcast analyzes Donald Trump's State of the Union address, focusing on the disconnect between Trump's portrayal of America and the reality experienced by many. It suggests Trump's isolation within an echo chamber of sycophants leads to a distorted perception, preventing him from addressing real issues effectively....
The discussion centers on the rapid advancement and societal implications of AI agents, moving beyond chatbots to systems capable of independent action. Jack Clark, co-founder of Anthropic, details how AI agents are now able to code, conduct research, and manage complex tasks, increasing productivity but also raising c...
The podcast explores the inner workings of Donald Trump's White House, contrasting his first and second terms. It highlights how Trump's staff in the second term are selected for loyalty, leading to a shift from internal factionalism to focused execution of Trump's agenda. Susie Wiles, the chief of staff, plays a cruci...
The Epstein files reveal the breadth of Jeffrey Epstein's elite network and the infrastructure of modern power. Journalist Anand Giridharadas joins Ezra Klein to discuss how this network, crossing ideologies and industries, enabled Epstein's abuse. The files expose a deeper solidarity among elites who, despite public d...
The conversation centers on George Saunders' new novel, "Vigil," and broader themes of judgment, sin, and truth. Saunders explores the tension between judging others and understanding the conditions that shape their actions, particularly through the character of an oil tycoon facing his past. He connects this to the cu...
The conversation centers on the perceived decline of the internet, dissecting how it shifted from a user-controlled space to one dominated by corporate interests. Cory Doctorow and Tim Wu introduce "enshittification" and "extraction" respectively, as frameworks for understanding this corporate capture. Doctorow argues ...
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