The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast

Explore the philosophical roots of free speech and its critical importance in society. Delve into historical examples that highlight the dangers of suppression. Examine the intricate balance between individual rights and societal pressures. Discover the need for intellectual diversity and open dialogue, especially in today's polarized climate. Analyze how social media platforms navigate content moderation amid political influences. Finally, confront the challenges faced by academic institutions in upholding freedom of expression.

In this discussion, Alexandra Popoff, the author of "Ayn Rand: Writing a Gospel of Success," shares insights into the life and philosophy of Ayn Rand. They delve into the misconceptions linking Rand's Jewish heritage to her philosophical beliefs, emphasizing that her identity was shaped by choice, not ethnicity. The conversation critiques how some interpretations overlook her independence and the central role of individualism in her work. Popoff's analysis of Rand's novels and her rejection of Nietzsche’s ideas illuminate the depth of Rand's philosophical contributions.

Explore the moral imperative of unconditional self-defense in the context of Israel's conflict with Hamas. The discussion examines how allowing threats to go unanswered can endanger freedom. Historical parallels illustrate the importance of decisive action, even amid the tragic possibility of civilian casualties. This viewpoint reinforces the idea that defending one's rights is critical for the survival and liberty of nations.

Cartels thrive on the criminalization of immigration that allows them to prey on migrants at the border.

The U.S. the US withdrew from Afghanistan 3 years ago on August 26, 2021. Blame our political and intellectual leaders, across two decades, for evading the ideological nature of the enemy and, consequently, miring U.S. forces in a “no-win” war.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBhhQHNCAFI Podcast audio: In this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer and Nikos Sotirakopoulos discuss the Democratic National Committee’s 2024 Platform. Among the topics covered: The ambiguity of “freedom” in the Democrats’ rhetoric; How the platform packages legitimate freedom with the “freedom” to take from others; How the platform packages equality of rights with metaphysical equality; How the platform’s egalitarianism is racist and infantilizing; How altruism and Marxist economics drive the platform’s call for the wealthy to pay their “fair share” in taxes; What a principled opposition to the DNC platform would look like. Recommended in this podcast are Ayn Rand’s essay “Man’s Rights” and the July 25 New Ideal podcast episode “Why Socialists Fear the Republican Party Platform.” The podcast premiered on August 29, 2024. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here.

In this episode, Ben Bayer reads aloud his article, “Debunking the Supernaturalism That Haunts Secular Ethics.” In that essay, he examines secular thinkers' approach towards ethics. As he argues, scientists like Richard Dawkins accept ethical claims that are fundamentally based on religious thinking. To combat this approach to ethics, we need a naturalistic alternative: and one has been offered by Ayn Rand. Bayer’s article was originally published in New Ideal, the Ayn Rand Institute’s journal, on October 11, 2023.

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Onkar Ghate, a critic of pro-immigration arguments, teams up with Agustina Vergara Cid, who advocates for the moral and economic benefits of immigration. They dive into the flaws of conventional pro-immigration views, revealing how these arguments often stem from altruism and can infantilize immigrants. The duo critiques diversity quotas for perpetuating racism and challenges the notion that immigrants only take jobs 'Americans won't do.' Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on individual freedom versus collectivism in today's immigration debate.

https://youtu.be/fC2PeuDuR5E Podcast audio: In this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer interviews Paul Taske, associate director of litigation at NetChoice, to discuss the Supreme Court’s recent NetChoice decision and what it means for the future of free speech in America. Among the topics covered: The Supreme Court’s decision to send the question about regulating social media platforms back to the federal district courts; Why content moderation is not censorship; How NetChoice responds to objections from the Court’s minority; How the Florida and Texas laws violate the right not to speak; Why NetChoice chose to make a facial challenge to the laws; How NetChoice responds to the idea that social media platforms are common carriers; How to think about the issue of whether the government has an interest in regulating social media platforms; How to evaluate other disagreements between the majority and the minority. Recommended in this podcast are Greg Salmieri’s article “Free Speech as a Right and a Way of Life” in Tara Smith’s The First Amendment: Essays on the Imperative of Intellectual Freedom and the previous New Ideal podcast episode “Does Social Media Censor?: A Conversation with Steve Simpson.” The podcast premiered on August 15, 2024. Listen and subscribe from your mobile device on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Watch archived podcasts here.