This conversation was recorded ahead of the Supreme Court's expected decision on affirmative action. As of publishing, no decision has been issued.The Supreme Court is expected to rule on affirmative action sometime this month. Most of us understand that some colleges use race as a factor in college admissions. But journalist Jay Caspian Kang argues that this focus is too narrow, and that it avoids harder conversations we need to have as a culture. In his view, focusing on the admissions practices of a select few universities creates "a fight for spots in the elite ranks of society" — and blinds us to the bigger problems plaguing American democracy. On today's episode, we talk with Kang about affirmative action's origins in the civil rights era, what it does and doesn't achieve, and what a more equitable education system could look like.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A bitter debate about the criteria for enrolling students at Lowell, in California, has echoes of the soul-searching happening across the U.S. education system.Guest: Jay Caspian Kang, a writer for Times Opinion and The New York Times Magazine; and Jessica Cheung, a senior audio producer for The Daily. Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, subscribe to our newsletter. Background reading: The decision to replace Lowell High School’s admission process with a lottery system was a key factor at play in a recall election in February that ousted three members of San Francisco’s school board.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Jay Caspian Kang, staff writer for The New Yorker, shares insights on podcasting vs. magazine writing, podcast recommendations, and his writing projects. Topics include creative evolution, challenges in the media industry, transitioning to filmmaking, and reflections on the podcasting journey.

Jay Caspian Kang, staff writer for The New Yorker, discusses the intertwining of sports and gambling, exploring recent scandals and the impact of widespread legalization. Topics include the evolution of sports betting, the intersection of betting and Major League sports, and the concerns surrounding app-based betting.

Listen to Jay Caspian Kang and Tyler Foggatt discuss the tension between protecting children on social media and free speech rights. They explore social media's role in politics and why efforts to control misinformation may ultimately fail.