Lost Debate

Are We Getting Stupider? Andrew Rice joins The Lost Debate to ask an uncomfortable question: why are America’s schools getting worse—even in places that claim to care most about equity? Drawing on sobering national data and reporting from affluent liberal districts, Rice argues that declining standards, political complacency, and the abandonment of accountability have quietly erased decades of progress for kids. Ravi and Rice debate how both parties walked away from what worked—and why lowering expectations has become a substitute for real reform. It’s a sharp, urgent conversation about education, power, and who pays the price when adults stop demanding better for children. Andrew Rice’s article The Big Fail (NY Magazine, Nov 2025) ------------ Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 201-305-0084⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Ravi at @RaviMGupta Notes from this episode are also available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ Read more from Ravi on Substack: https://realravigupta.substack.com Follow The Branch at @thebranchmedia Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lost-debate/id1591300785 Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F Listen to Where the Schools Went: https://thebranchmedia.org/show/where-the-schools-went/

This episode takes a visit to the goonverse — a strange online world where hundreds of thousands of people spend hours chasing a “goon state,” a trance-like high reached through marathon adult video consumption. Ravi talks with reporter Daniel Kolitz, whose Harper’s article on this community has become a viral sensation: horrifying, riveting, and impossible to look away from. Together they explore what this subculture reveals about loneliness, post-lockdown life, and the dangers of instant, unlimited online pleasure crowding out real-world connection. It’s disturbing, darkly funny, and a warning sign about where we’re all heading. Daniel Kolitz’s The Goon Squad, (Harper’s, Nov 2025)  -- Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 201-305-0084⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Ravi at @RaviMGupta Notes from this episode are also available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ Read more from Ravi on Substack: https://realravigupta.substack.com  Follow The Branch at @thebranchmedia Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785 Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F Listen to Where the Schools Went: https://thebranchmedia.org/show/where-the-schools-went/ 

Explore the transformative forces shaping 2026, from the impact of AI and China’s industrial rise to the complexities of U.S. politics. Dive into Ravi's personal journey tackling attention poverty and embracing a flip phone for focus. Discover the intriguing implications of rising weight-loss drugs and the economic pressures of increasing small-business bankruptcies. Unearth the fractures within the GOP and Democratic Party as well as the growing concerns over AI regulation. It's a thought-provoking reflection on the future and the questions we must confront.

Lawrence McDonald, author and market analyst, discusses the dangers of passive investing and its concentration in a few mega-cap stocks. He warns that traditional safety plays are being reshaped by de-dollarization and changing demand for U.S. treasuries. McDonald identifies opportunities in hard assets, select commodities, and short-term cash positions as markets face potential upheaval. They also delve into the risks of algorithm-driven trading and how generational shifts in risk tolerance are impacting investment strategies.

Tim Wu, a law professor and author of The Age of Extraction, joins to discuss the rise of America's tech giants and the antitrust battles that shaped them. He examines the historical roots of antitrust law, from Teddy Roosevelt's early trust-busting to today’s challenges with monopolies like Amazon. Wu highlights how tech companies use tactics like sponsored listings to extract revenue while stifling competition. The conversation also touches on AI's role in reinforcing market power and the need for a competitive landscape to foster innovation.

Idrees Kahloon, a policy-focused journalist previously at The Atlantic, dives into pressing issues like tariffs and immigration trends. He discusses the legal quandary of presidential tariff authority and the Supreme Court's role in shaping future precedent. Kahloon highlights potential demographic shifts in the U.S., where more people may leave than arrive, impacting Social Security. He also tackles education reform, linking declining test scores to low expectations, while showcasing success stories from Mississippi and New Orleans that emphasize higher standards.

Isaac Saul, founder of Tangle News and expert in independent political analysis, returns to share insights from his viral essay on America's troubling political climate. He discusses alarming issues like immigration abuses, extrajudicial killings, and politicized prosecutions that threaten legal norms. Isaac emphasizes the importance of moving past party loyalty to uphold core values. He reflects on public reactions to political violence and highlights the chilling effects of government pressure on the media. This conversation challenges listeners to reconsider their commitments in these critical times.

Ravi Gupta shares essential health and fitness insights from his training program. He champions simple routines, emphasizing heavy lifting and protein intake while dismissing wellness trends. Discover the importance of measurable progress and tracking biomarkers, like VO2 max and bone density. Ravi outlines effective cardio methods, including the challenging 400-meter run and Norwegian 4x4 workout. He also critiques popular supplements and advocates for fundamental practices: lift, sprint, eat well, and stay consistent.

Ravi Gupta dives into the risks of investing in AI, questioning if it's a bubble reminiscent of past manias. He highlights the hubris in venture capital and its impact on pensions and public finances. Erratic government policies, trade wars, and historical bubble patterns are examined for their role in economic volatility. Ravi shares how he's reshaping his portfolio for resilience, emphasizing international exposure, cash holdings, and reduced US equity. It's a compelling look at navigating today’s turbulent markets.

Matteo Wong, a reporter for The Atlantic focused on artificial intelligence, joins to discuss why AI chatbots often behave like digital sycophants. They delve into how reinforcement learning influences this behavior and the safety implications for teens. The conversation also touches on the monopolistic hold of companies like OpenAI and Google, the rollout of parental controls, and the challenges of regulating AI. With insights into the personalities of different models and the failures of some like Grok, the duo explores the future landscape of AI.