Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Illinois Considers Ranked Choice Voting. Here’s How It Would Work.

An Illinois task force is studying whether the state should adopt ranked choice voting or another system for the 2028 presidential primary. The state’s current system, plurality voting (also known as winner-take-all) is common around the country, but some critics say its too limiting. Reset hears from WBEZ statehouse reporter Mawa Iqbal on what’s ahead for ranked choice voting in Illinois. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset

Village SquareCast - Dr. Jonathan Haidt | After Babel: “The Fragmentation of Everything”

We wanted you wonderful SquareCast listeners to know that we didn't plan for this episode to drop on Leap Day and we didn't plan on it being (we kid you not) Episode 100. But both things just happened. At the very least, we think that's a sign that you really ought to listen. Were we "the universe has a plan" maximalists, though, we'd say it means you need to quit your day job and follow bridge builders like Jon Haidt and The Village Square around like Jack Kerouac groupies. 

You pick. Here's our blurb to help inform your imminent life choice:

What if, at a pinnacle of our civilization’s technological achievement, everything just broke — the institutions we’ve come to rely upon in navigating a modern complex world, the shared stories that hold a large and diverse democratic republic together, and even a common language through which to navigate the rising tide of crisis.  According to renowned social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt, this describes our current reality, one that he calls “After Babel.” In this new normal, we are scattered by a digital environment into feuding tribes that are governed by mob dynamics and driven by a minority of ideological outliers, made stupid at warp speed by group think, and — thanks to social media — armed with billions of metaphorical “dart guns” with which to immediately wound “the enemy” in ways that are hardly only metaphorical. What could go wrong?

Our very special guest, Dr. Jonathan Haidt, will delve into the profound impact of social media on democratic societies, dissecting the intricate web of challenges it poses to civic trust and civil discourse. Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of the foremost thought leaders of our time — one who has generously given his counsel to The Village Square, and countless efforts like ours — on this existential challenge of our time. Read Why the Past Ten Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid  in The Atlantic and learn more about Dr. Haidt by clicking the MORE button, below.

The program includes a preview of Haidt’s highly anticipated upcoming book The Anxious Generation, available at the end of March. You’re not going to want to miss it.

The Village Square is a proud member of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Funding for this podcast was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

This program is part of a larger project "Healing Starts Here" funded by New Pluralists. Learn more about our project, and other inspiring grantees here.

NPR's Book of the Day - ‘Julia’ revisits George Orwell’s ‘1984,’ from a new point of view

With permission from the Orwell estate, Sandra Newman's latest novel takes place in the same world and with many of the same characters as 1984, but retold through the eyes of Winston Smith's love interest, Julia. It's a deep exploration of women's experiences under totalitarianism, and as Newman tells NPR's Scott Simon, an appreciation of the original that doubles down on some of Orwell's humor and ability to capture the psyche of fear — and unexpected comfort — under political tyranny.

To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Up First from NPR - SCOTUS Takes Trump Case, McConnell To Leave Leadership Post, Grim Gaza Milestone

The Supreme Court will decide if Donald Trump is immune from prosecution for his official actions as president. Mitch McConnell plans to step down as Senate Republican leader at the end of the year. And the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 30,000.

Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today's episode was edited by Krishnadev Calamur, Kelsey Snell, Hannah Bloch, HJ Mai and Ben Adler. It was produced by Claire Murashima, Ben Abrams and Julie Depenbrock. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.


Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The Intelligence from The Economist - The Intelligence: Redoubled agents

A slew of spycraft mishaps might suggest Russia’s once-great intelligence services have hopelessly decayed. Do not be fooled: the spooks are back, and better. We ask why a “supercycle” commodities boom might not come to pass, even though the conditions are ripe for one (10:04). And the questions raised as football attracts Saudi investment to England’s north-east (15:50).


Get a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+


If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Bay Curious - Hidden in the Oakland Hills Is An Outdoor Gallery of Murals

Hike near Leona Heights in Oakland, and you might come across vibrant graffiti art painted on the concrete remnants of an old conveyor tram that transported rock down the hill. This week on the show, reporter Katherine Monahan reveals the history of this place, and talks to artists who have transformed it into an art gallery hidden in the woods.

Additional Reading:


Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts

This story was reported by Katherine Monahan. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Alex Gonzalez, Dan Brekke, Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Joshua Ling, Holly Kernan and the whole KQED family.

CoinDesk Podcast Network - FIRST MOVER: Bitcoin Surges Above $60K; Bitcoin ZK Rollup Citrea Raises $2.7M

Host Jennifer Sanasie breaks down the latest news in the crypto industry. And, a conversation with Chainway Labs co-founder and CEO Orkun Kılıç on ZK rollups.

To get the show every day, follow the podcast here.

The price of bitcoin (BTC) topped the $60,000 level on Wednesday, the original cryptocurrency's first time above that level since the peak of the last bull market in November 2021. Plus, Chainway Labs co-founder and CEO Orkun Kılıç shares the latest developments in the Bitcoin ecosystem and the launch of Citrea.

-

Consensus is where experts convene to talk about the ideas shaping our digital future. Join developers, investors, founders, brands, policymakers and more in Austin, Texas from May 29-31. The tenth annual Consensus is curated by CoinDesk to feature the industry’s most sought-after speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities and unforgettable experiences. Register now at consensus.coindesk.com.

-

This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie. “First Mover” is produced by Jennifer Sanasie and Melissa Montañez and edited by Victor Chen.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Daily Detail - The Daily Detail for 2.29.24

Alabama

  • AL Forestry Commission dealing with an increase in wildfires due to weather
  • 2 bills offered in Legislature address IVF clinics and recent court ruling
  • Sen. Tuberville says this IVF controversy will be resolved, process will continue
  • HB82 increases penalties for hoax crimes ie: Carlee Russell fake kidnapping
  • Bill passes committee to provide $30M loan to Birmingham Southern College
  • Family Dollar settles in lawsuit about rat infested warehouses
  • Prayer vigil held in Hartselle for family of 4 year old  boy killed in dog attack

National

  • SCOTUS schedules oral arguments in April for Trump immunity case
  • Mitch McConnell urges Senate to take on impeachment of DHS secretary
  • McConnell also announces  he will step down as Minority leader in November
  • GOP senators calling for negotiated settlement in Ukraine/Russia conflict
  • Donald Trump wins in Michigan primary bringing total to 5 states, Haley none
  • Dems and GOP react to deposition of Hunter Biden in House committees
  • Residents in Athens GA angry at mayor following death of Laken Riley
  • Final hearing on Friday re: disqualification of Fulton county DA Fani Willis