Night Owls

A conversation with Brown University's Marc Dunkelman who has written an important book: Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress—and how to Bring it Back." Dunkelman has written an alternative history of the Democratic Party, a 150 year struggle between top-down and bottom-up progressivism that has led to stagnation. 

Daniela Rus, Director of MIT's CSAIL, shares her journey from Romania to robotics and AI leadership. She discusses the captivating concept of physical intelligence and the marriage of robotics with AI. The conversation digs into her research on whale communication and the intriguing parallels between animal and machine intelligence. Daniela also examines the current challenges of self-driving cars and the future of AI in transforming industries. Lastly, she reflects on the importance of authentic human connections in an increasingly digital world.

The last part of our interview with the brilliant Wolgang Munchau

The 2nd in our series where we interview Wolfgang Munchau

Larry Summers, a prominent economist and former Treasury Secretary, delves into Team Trump's economic strategies, emphasizing the psychological influences behind them. He critiques common misconceptions about trade, arguing that deficits can sometimes indicate economic vitality, while advocating for thoughtful policy approaches. Summers discusses capital flight trends and their historical parallels, the challenges facing academia in a politically charged landscape, and the transformative implications of artificial intelligence on governance and society.

The podcast dives into the fallout from a canceled Pentagon meeting involving Elon Musk and its implications for national security. It analyzes the political turmoil surrounding executive actions and the shifting alliances in U.S. foreign policy. Economic discussions highlight the impact of Evergrande's troubles and public sentiment in U.S.-Canada relations. The show also addresses the growing conflict between big tech and right-wing factions, while exploring AI's role in research and technology advancements. Finally, it touches on climate change and its effects on personal vehicles.

Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator at the Financial Times and author of 'The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism,' delves into the complexities of modern geopolitics. He discusses China's rapid rise to superpower status and its ramifications on global economics. The conversation shifts to the intricate ties between democracy and capitalism, underscoring the perils of authoritarianism. Wolf also tackles the looming threat of global debt and offers a glimmer of optimism through technology, punctuating the need for ongoing political engagement.

Senator Tom Cotton, Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and author of "Seven Things You Can't Say About China," shares insights from his political journey and military background. The conversation dives into the lab leak theory of COVID-19 origins and critiques U.S. policies on China, highlighting the continuity of authoritarianism. Cotton discusses China's geopolitical threats, economic vulnerabilities, and the high-stakes role of Taiwan in global relations, emphasizing the need for strategic military reforms.

A world in disarray

Al From, founder of the Democratic Leadership Council and a key strategist in the Democratic Party, shares insights on revitalizing the party's identity. He discusses historical challenges faced in establishing the DLC and the importance of innovative policy-making, particularly around educational reform and economic opportunity. Al emphasizes the urgency of reconnecting with working-class voters and adopting a centrist approach to engage younger demographics. He also explores creative solutions for student loan relief tied to national service.