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

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.

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Rob Mahoney to discuss the playoff seeding for the Western Conference, the increasingly scary Mavericks, the steady Suns, the stumbling Warriors, Clippers rumors, and more (7:26). Then Bill talks with Jay Caspian Kang of the New York Times about the upcoming Final Four showdown between Duke and UNC (31:49). Finally Bill is joined by Warren Sharp to discuss the current NFL landscape for the 2022 season, the wide-open NFC, the super-competitive AFC, big trades and free-agent signings, the top five easiest and hardest 2022 schedules, what to look for in NFL futures bets, and more (56:10).Host: Bill SimmonsGuests: Rob Mahoney, Jay Caspian Kang, and Warren SharpProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices