John Tierney

Is it time to end Covid emergency measures? With President Biden's plan to transition to a new normal, more than 70% of Americans recently polled agree that “we just need to get on with our lives.” Some advocates of the plan say it's long overdue, pointing to the long term consequences of isolation and broader effects lock downs have had on society. Critics argue that both hospitalization and Covid death rates are still high, and that the nature of this virus and its variants is far from endemic. In that context, Intelligence Squared debate a defining question of this pandemic: Is it time to end the Covid Emergency?    Arguing in favor of the motion is John Tierney, a contributing editor to City Journal, the Manhattan Institute's quarterly publication and former columnist at The New York Times. Arguing against the motion is Enbal Shacham, Professor and Chair of Behavioral Science and Health Education at Saint Louis University. Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Tierney, an award-winning science columnist for The New York Times and co-author of "The Power of Bad," dives into the intriguing world of negativity bias. He explains how even a little negativity can overpower our positivity and offers strategies to manage this inclination. Tune in to discover how to consume news without despair, the impact of toxic coworkers on team morale, and the 'negative golden rule' for healthier relationships. Tierney's insights on overcoming the weight of negativity are both practical and enlightening.

In this engaging conversation, John Tierney, co-author of "The Power of Bad," dives into the intriguing concept of the negativity effect and its profound impact on human behavior. He explains why bad experiences outweigh good ones and shares how this bias influences parenting, criticism, and even religious beliefs. The discussion highlights strategies for effectively delivering and receiving feedback, the contagious nature of negativity, and the challenges posed by social media. Throughout, Tierney offers insights on harnessing the power of bad while mitigating its effects.