High-Rise, published in 1975, is a novel by J.G. Ballard that delves into the psychological and social disintegration of the residents in a 40-storey luxury high-rise building. The story follows Dr. Robert Laing, a newly divorced doctor, and other characters such as Richard Wilder, a documentarian, and Anthony Royal, the building's architect, as they navigate the escalating violence and societal breakdown within the building. The residents, initially affluent and civilized, gradually succumb to primal urges, leading to a dystopian environment characterized by gang fights, vandalism, and complete isolation from the outside world. The novel explores themes of urban disillusionment, the effects of modern social and technological landscapes on the human psyche, and the inherent flaws in the design of such high-rise communities[2][4][5].
In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by The Gist's Mike Pesca to discuss the Trump administration's escalating campaign against Harvard. The conversation explores how government overreach in education threatens civil liberties and stable institutional governance. They also discuss corruption concerns they have over Donald Trump's memecoin.
0:00—Introduction
2:53—Trump continues to attack Harvard
7:10—Trump is using the power of the state to punish his enemies
13:35—Are taxes on endowments a good idea?
17:23—Trump wants to give Harvard's money to trade schools instead.
23:41—Trump's memecoin dinner corruption
32:02—Listener question: If someone magically waved a wand and got rid of all federal discretionary spending, would it actually feel like government only got a 25 percent to 30 percent haircut?
37:49—The U.S. Mint has made its last order of pennies.
38:47—Should we eliminate the Institute for Peace?
40:08—Should we eliminate the Saturday service of USPS?
41:31—Should we get rid of everything that is free for congressmen at the U.S. Capitol?
43:34—Should we eliminate the Selective Service?
49:11—Weekly cultural recommendations
Mentioned in this podcast:
- "Seizing Harvard's Federal Funds," by Liz Wolfe
- "Harvard's Best Protection Is To Get Off the Federal Teat," by Autumn Billings
- "Statement on Academic Freedom and Harvard by Right-of-Center Scholars, Lawyers, and Former Government Officials," by Eugene Volokh
- "Steven Pinker: Can Harvard Be Saved?" by Nick Gillespie
- "To Cut Government Spending, Trump Targets Pocket Change," by Rossana Pineyro
- "Dump the Draft Forever Instead of Making Women Register," by J.D. Tuccille
- "In Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning, Tom Cruise Does What the U.S. Government Can't," by Peter Suderman
Today's Sponsors:
- Join the 2025 Great Connections Seminar in Chicago from July 26 through August 2. Designed for students ages 16 to 24, this weeklong experience builds the core skills of entrepreneurship: critical thinking, persuasive communication, and intellectual independence. This year's theme, "Reason and Free Will," explores great minds like Aristotle, Ayn Rand, and Thomas Jefferson—not through lectures but in dynamic, small-group discussions that train students to lead and innovate. Outside the classroom, they'll tour Chicago's museums, try improv, and connect with ambitious peers. In a world of AI and automation, original thinking is your competitive edge. Tuition is just $800, including room and board. Scholarships are available. Apply today at www.reliancecollege.org/reason.
- If you're still tossing and turning all night and feeling edgy during the day, let me tell you about CBD from CB Distillery. Millions are turning to their CBD for relief because…IT WORKS! In fact, over 90 percent of customers report better sleep with CBD. And it's not just sleep. CB Distillery offers targeted formulations for just about everything—sleep, stress, mood, focus, pain after exercise—they even have CBD for pets! And it's all made with the highest-quality, clean ingredients. No fillers, just premium CBD. And with over 2 million satisfied customers and a 100 percent money-back guarantee, CB Distillery is the source to trust. If you're struggling with sleep, stress, or other health concerns and haven't found relief, make the change, like millions are, to CBD from CB Distillery. And for a limited time, you can save 25 percent off your entire purchase. Visit CB Distillery (cbdistillery.com) and use promo code REASON. Specific product availability depends on individual state regulations.
The post Trump's War on Harvard appeared first on Reason.com.
The Reason Roundtable 
