Month: February 2018

Posted on

Opening Arguments - OA149: Russian Indictments & Utah Silence (feat. Bryce Blankenagel)

Today's emergency episode breaks down the indictments issued in the Mueller probe on Friday, focusing on the shadowy, Putin-funded Internet Research Agency.  What does this mean in terms of Yodel Mountain?  Listen and find out! After that, we have a lengthy interview with friend of the show Bryce Blankenagel of the Naked Mormonism podcast.  Bryce comes on the show to break down the Rob Porter scandal, an innocuous-sounding bill before the Utah state legislature, and the puppet-mastery of the Mormon Church of all things political in that state. After that, we end with the answer to Thomas Takes the Bar Exam Question #63, another very difficult question, this one about hearsay.  Don't forget to follow our Twitter feed (@Openargs) and like our Facebook Page so that you too can play along with #TTTBE! Recent Appearances Check out the NEW PODCAST created by our very own Thomas Smith and friend-of-the-show Aaron Rabi, "Philosophers in Space."  You'll be glad you did! Also, Andrew was just a guest on Episode 6 of the Wayward Willis Podcast -- give it a listen. Show Notes & Links
  1. The case referenced in the A segment is United States v. Yousef, 327 F.3d 56 (2003).
  2. This is the text of Utah HB 330, and this is the article Bryce referenced during the show.
Support us on Patreon at:  patreon.com/law Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ Don't forget the OA Facebook Community! And email us at openarguments@gmail.com  
Posted on

Pod Save America - “Hold my putter.”

The Department of Justice indicts 13 Russian nationals who conducted information warfare against the United States, Mueller’s charges offer hints about his next move, Trump reacts on Twitter with his characteristic subtlety and cool, and the students of Stoneham Douglas lead a movement to stop mass shootings. Then Lovett talks to New York Times writer Zeynep Tufekci about Facebook’s role in the Russia indictments and whether mass shootings are contagious.

Posted on

The Nod - Jumping the Broom

Planning a wedding is stressful. There’s making the guest list, sticking to a budget and picking the right dress. Writer Ashley Ford knows this all too well — she’s getting married! This week, Eric guides Ashley through a wedding decision that’s a lot more complicated than it appears...

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Posted on

Start the Week - Fascism and the Enlightenment with Steven Pinker

Humanity is flourishing and the Enlightenment has worked, declares Steven Pinker. The Harvard psychologist has looked across health, prosperity, safety, peace and happiness, and sees signs that all are improving. He tells Andrew Marr how Enlightenment attitudes to reason and science have made this the best age in which to live. But Enlightenment values are under attack and Pinker calls for their vigorous defence.

Dutch philosopher Rob Riemen also sees humanism under threat from fascism, with its politics of resentment and hatred of the life of the mind. But can reason, beauty and justice combat this threat?

The neuroscientist Tali Sharot thinks reason and fear are not enough to make us change our minds. Only by understanding how the brain functions can we perfect the art of persuasion.

Producer: Hannah Sander.

Posted on

Start the Week - Fascism and the Enlightenment with Steven Pinker

Humanity is flourishing and the Enlightenment has worked, declares Steven Pinker. The Harvard psychologist has looked across health, prosperity, safety, peace and happiness, and sees signs that all are improving. He tells Andrew Marr how Enlightenment attitudes to reason and science have made this the best age in which to live. But Enlightenment values are under attack and Pinker calls for their vigorous defence.

Dutch philosopher Rob Riemen also sees humanism under threat from fascism, with its politics of resentment and hatred of the life of the mind. But can reason, beauty and justice combat this threat?

The neuroscientist Tali Sharot thinks reason and fear are not enough to make us change our minds. Only by understanding how the brain functions can we perfect the art of persuasion.

Producer: Hannah Sander.

Posted on

African Tech Roundup - What’s Trending at #ATRULive Meetup Kigali (Feb 13, 2018)

So, we invited friends of the African Tech Roundup podcast to join us for drinks at the Kigali Marriott's Iriba Bar between 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM on Feb 13th, 2018-- the day before the Africa Tech Summit Kigali conference. And when the homies demanded an impromptu podcast session, we gladly obliged. Listen in to hear what was trending at the recent #ATRULive Meetup Kigali.
Posted on

The NewsWorthy - Russia Charges, Adam Rippon & Presidents’ Day – Monday, February 19th, 2018

All the news you need to know for Monday, February 19th, 2018!

Today: an announcement from Florida shooting survivors and the U.S. charges more than a dozen Russians for allegedly meddling in the 2016 election.

Plus: what to know about the Winter Olympics, the NBA All Star Game, the weekend box office and Presidents' Day...

 All that and much more in less than 10 minutes!

Award-winning broadcast journalist and former TV news reporter Erica Mandy breaks it all down for you. 

For links to all the stories referenced in today's episode, visit https://www.theNewsWorthy.com and click Episodes.

Posted on

Serious Inquiries Only - SIO121: Ian Danskin of Innuendo Studios

Should we ever talk to the alt-right? When we do so, why does it feel so unproductive? Why can't we on the left ever seem to "win" debates with the alt-right? Why are Gamer-Gaters so angry? These are just a few of the questions Ian Danskin of the YouTube channel Innuendo Studios has sought to answer. He does so brilliantly and incisively. I've found his work to be incredibly illuminating. He was kind enough to come on the show and talk about his background, how he got into this line of work, and answer some of my questions about political discourse and his videos! Brilliant GamerGate Series; The Alt-Right Playbook Leave Thomas a voicemail! (916) 750-4746, remember short and to the point! Support the show at seriouspod.com/support! Follow us on Twitter: @seriouspod Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/seriouspod For comments, email thomas@seriouspod.com