Mike interviews author Julius Taranto about his novel 'How I won a Nobel Prize' set on an island for the 'cancelled and deplorables'. The podcast also discusses Senator Menendez's gold bars and the changing polls between Biden and Trump.
Julius Toronto's novel 'How I Won a Nobel Prize' explores the tension between focusing solely on work and feeling a social duty to engage with the world.
The outcome of the 2023 and 2024 election will likely be influenced by how voters perceive Biden's agenda, actions, and ability to reassure or dissuade them.
Deep dives
Senator Bob Menendez indicted for accepting gifts
Senator Bob Menendez has faced charges for accepting gifts from a Florida ophthalmologist and an Egyptian businessman, leading to a mistrial. Federal prosecutors discovered approximately $500,000 in cash stuffed into envelopes and closets, some of which were found in the senator's jacket pockets and contained fingerprints and DNA. Agents also found three gold bars. Menendez claimed the cash was personal savings due to his family's history and denied any connection between his support of Egypt and the gifts. Despite calls for resignation, Menendez refuses to step down.
Concerns arise for Joe Biden's reelection chances
A recent ABC News poll showing Donald Trump leading Joe Biden by 10 points in a hypothetical matchup has caused concern among Democrats. While some oddities were noted in the poll's demographic breakdown, the weaknesses in Biden's approval ratings and the uneasiness among Democratic voters are real. The possibility of Biden losing to a multi-indicted former president who incited an insurrection is alarming. The outcome of the 2023 and 2024 election will likely be influenced by how voters perceive Biden in terms of his agenda, actions, and ability to reassure or dissuade them.
Author Julius Toronto discusses his new book 'How I Won a Nobel Prize'
Julius Toronto's new novel 'How I Won a Nobel Prize' tells the story of a young physicist named Helen and her mentor Perry. Their journey takes them to the Rubin Institute Plymouth, an island off Connecticut, where brilliant minds gather to work on groundbreaking ideas. Toronto explores themes of hard sciences, sociology, and divisions in our society. The book delves into the tension between wanting to focus solely on one's work and feeling a social duty to engage in the world. Toronto's characters embody various perspectives, allowing readers to see different viewpoints without endorsing any one argument.
Will Joe Biden's actions change voters' minds?
The upcoming campaign hinges on whether Joe Biden will be able to change voters' minds in his favor or if his actions will further dissuade voters. While Biden has his strong moments, there are concerns about his age, potential gaffes, and vulnerabilities. The outcome of the campaign will depend on how voters react to Biden's words, his ability to address their worries, and his impact on key issues such as Bidenomics, the immigration crisis, and international conflicts. It remains uncertain whether Biden can reassure voters, drive enthusiasm for his agenda, or face further scrutiny and skepticism.
A young physicist working on high-temperature superconductivity follows her mentor to an island established as a haven for the "cancelled and deplorables" shunned elsewhere. "How I won a Nobel Prize” is the name of this novel perfectly calibrated to our times, Mike interviews author Julius Taranto. Plus, Senator Menendez won't resign, but doesn't offer an explanation about the unusually large number of gold bars found at his residence. And with President Biden close to, or trailing, Donald Trump in polls, Mike asks "What's most likely to change about those numbers?"
