WSJ Opinion: Free Expression

Vasant Dhar, a data science professor at NYU and author of 'Thinking With Machines,' explores the rapid evolution of AI and its implications. He discusses the balance between leveraging AI as a tool and the risks of overreliance, which could deepen societal divisions. Dhar also highlights the transformative potential of AI in fields like finance and medicine, cautioning about the accuracy of predictions based on domain knowledge. He emphasizes the need for robust governance to ensure accountability while maximizing innovation.

John Studzinski, a distinguished financier and philanthropist, discusses the transformative power of giving. He shares insights from his book, emphasizing that true philanthropy requires a personal touch rather than transactional charity. Studzinski explores how grassroots initiatives can heal societal divisions and motivate youth engagement. He highlights his own foundation projects, such as The Passage and the Genesis Foundation, showcasing innovative approaches to philanthropy. The conversation encourages listeners to embrace modest giving with a focus on sustainable impact.

Matthew Elliott, a member of Britain's House of Lords and co-author of 'Prosperity Through Growth', discusses the relevance of supply-side economics today. He explores the political shift against these principles, both from the left and within the right. Elliott highlights the risks of tariffs and emphasizes the urgent need for fiscal reforms to prevent a potential debt crisis in Europe. He also defends free trade as a tool for growth and shares insights on the political impact of recent tax policies, particularly the lessons from Liz Truss's controversial mini-budget.

Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia and Stanford professor, shares insights from his book, exploring the current geopolitical landscape. He compares today’s U.S.-China rivalry to the Cold War and reveals why he views Russia as a greater immediate threat. McFaul discusses China's economic ambitions and the significance of Taiwan to U.S. interests. He also addresses the complexities of the Ukraine conflict and the ideological battle between democracies and autocracies, emphasizing the need for renewed democratic institutions.

In this discussion, Joel Kotkin, a professor of urban studies and expert on the politics of American cities, unpacks the surprising successes of the Democratic Party in recent off-year elections. He explores the growing leftist shift in major cities like New York and Chicago, highlighting the role of affordability and demographic changes. Kotkin also addresses the fractures within the Republican Party, the implications of recent wins for figures like Zohran Mamdani, and how evolving racial and immigration dynamics are reshaping the political landscape.

American society has been transformed in the last half century by the entry into the workforce of large numbers of women. Equal gender opportunity has commanded a large consensus for most of that time, but there are some dissenters. Gerry Baker's guest this week on Free Expression is author and commentator Helen Andrews. She's made waves in this month with an article decrying the "Feminization of America" saying the explosion of woke ideas and cancel culture can be directly attributed to the large numbers of women who now work in the law, academia, and the media. Together they discuss the rise of women, its benefits and perils for society and whether it really means the rule of law in America is in peril. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For most of the last few centuries, advances in scientific understanding have seemed to undermine arguments for the existence of God. Physical phenomena ascribed to a deity have been discovered to have natural explanations. But some think that recent scientific discoveries have actually strengthened the case for the existence of at least some supernatural original creator. A new book, by Michel-Yves Bolloré and Olivier Bonnassies, two French authors, argues for a science-based belief in God. On this episode of Free Expression, Gerry Baker speaks with Bolloré, one of the authors of “God, the Science, the Evidence”. They discuss how the Big Bang and the creation of the universe could be the first sign of a creator, how a belief in God is different from having faith, and whether reason can make the case that Jesus Christ was the Son of God.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We may be seeing peace break out in the Middle East, but it’s still trade war elsewhere - especially with China. Donald Trump has threatened a 100% tariff on the rival superpower if Beijing goes through with its plan to impose tough restrictions on exports of the rare earth minerals critical to the U.S. economy. These could well be mere negotiating tactics but they’re a reminder of the wider friction that now dominates global economic relations.   On this episode of Free Expression, Gerry Baker speaks with Neil Shearing, Group Chief Economist of Capital Economics and author of “The Fractured Age: How the Return of Geopolitics Will Splinter the Global Economy.” They discuss Shearing’s argument that the world is dividing into two giant economic blocs and what that might mean for stability and peace. They also talk about some unusual developments in global markets of late, especially a weakening dollar and a soaring gold price - the last of which Shearing believes is driven by Chinese official policy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In America and much of the West, it's become axiomatic to regard colonialism as a stain on human history. The story told in classrooms and popular culture is one of unrelenting exploitation of hapless people of color by white imperialists. And the narrative has contemporary relevance: demands for reparations for the victims of oppression - But is the modern West's history really a litany of crimes against humanity? Should we pay reparations to the victims? On this episode of Free Expression, Gerry Baker explores these themes with Nigel Biggar, author of “Reparations: Slavery and the Tyranny of Imaginary Guilt.” They discuss Lord Biggar’s experiences in the “culture wars,” the attempts to silence him, and take a critical look at the belief that a debt needs to be paid to the descendants of slaves.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week at the United Nations, Donald Trump derided the climate change movement, calling it a ‘con job,’ a view that the Republican party signed onto as the president won his second term last year. While it may not be a hoax, there's growing evidence that the supposed catastrophe climate change represents has been way overblown. One person whose views have undergone a radical change in recent years is Ted Nordhaus, co-founder and director of the Breakthrough Institute. On this episode of the Free Expression podcast, Gerry Baker speaks to Nordhaus, who explains how he has stopped worrying and learned, if not to love, then at least to accept the limited cost of climate change. He argues that government incentives have created a ‘climate industrial complex’ that continues to promote an alarmist message, but says the U.S. is actually on the right track in tackling climate change Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices