The Gist The High Point of Mt. Mamdani?
15 snips
Jun 25, 2025 
David Zweig, a science journalist and author of 'An Abundance of Caution,' joins to discuss decision-making in American schools during COVID-19. He challenges the effectiveness of pandemic interventions and critiques the prolonged closures compared to countries like Sweden. Zweig argues that only vaccines showed significant results, revealing flaws in the precautionary measures that governed public policy. The conversation encourages a critical evaluation of evidence, steering away from intuitive assumptions that led to poor decisions. A thought-provoking dive into pandemic lessons!
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Potential Peak of Mamdani's Popularity
- Zoran Mamdani's appeal as NYC mayor may peak early amid rising scrutiny of his policies and rhetoric.
- Despite enthusiasm, many voters will start questioning the costs and implications of his bold proposals.
Mamdani's Cultural Code-Switching
- Mamdani showcased code-switching when promoting a Disney film with South African press.
- He contrasted the dancing culture of Kampala with New York City's nightlife to connect culturally.
Pandemic School Closure Flaws
- The pandemic response often favored intuition over strong evidence, especially with school closures.
- Decisions initially reasonable became unreasonable as evidence showed lack of benefit and rising harms.
