Open to Debate

How much does our DNA shape who we become? Four experts in science and psychology debate the classic "nature versus nurture" question with a eye toward recent breakthroughs in genetic science and DNA testing.FOR THE MOTION:Robert Plomin - Professor of Behavioral Genetics, King’s College LondonNancy Segal - Professor of Psychology, California State University, Fullerton & Director, Twin Studies CenterAGAINST THE MOTION:Paige Harden - Psychology Professor, University of TexasAnn Pleshette Murphy - Author & Parenting ExpertCast your vote at www.iq2us.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should we look to Europe for the future of big tech regulations? Four leading thinkers in tech, governance, and law debate the state and future of big tech, and whether it's time to impose greater regulations on companies like Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Twitter.FOR THE MOTION:Roslyn Layton - Visiting Scholar, American Enterprise InstituteBerin Szóka - Founder and President, TechFreedomAGAINST THE MOTION:Marietje Schaake - International Policy Director, Stanford's Cyber Policy Center & Fmr. Member, European ParliamentRamesh Srinivasan - Director, UC Digital Cultures Lab & Professor, UCLACast your vote at www.iq2us.orgGet 20% off your first order at nativedeodorant.com and entering promo code DEBATE during checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Students for Fair Admissions just challenged Harvard's affirmative action guidelines in federal court, and lost. But the advocacy group is gearing up to make their case again – this time, in the Supreme Court. In this episode, we revisit this timely and contentious debate: Does the Constitution allow racial preferences in university admissions?Use code Friends30 for 30% off tickets to upcoming live debates: https://www.intelligencesquaredus.org/buy-tickets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the nation gears up for the 2020 election, Democrats are promising bold new changes to the American health care system, including scrapping private health insurance and adopting “Medicare for All.” Is this a bold and effective way to repair health care in America? Or will it inflate the already swelled federal deficit?Learn more about upcoming debates at www.iq2us.org/buy-tickets  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Saudi Arabia and Iran are vying for regional dominance. Turkey is cozying up to Russia and China. And instability, conflict, and proxy wars have engulfed Syria, Yemen, and beyond. How should the United States respond to shifting power in the Middle East? Five leading national security experts debate.Learn more about the upcoming season and buy tickets to a live debate at www.iq2us.org/buy-tickets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special episode, host John Donvan sits down with two of America's leading thinkers on politics and foreign policy: Susan Glasser and Yascha Mounk. They discuss the rise of authoritarian leaders around the world and their featured articles in the September/October issue of Foreign Affairs magazine.Go to www.ForeignAffairs.com/faiq2 and enter the promo code faiq2 for a discounted issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do good ideas and persuasive arguments change the world? In this episode, host John Donvan speaks with TED curator Chris Anderson about how bringing people together to share new and innovative ideas will shape our collective future.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are recent U.S. policies toward China tough and focused enough to achieve key economic and strategic objectives? Or will U.S. policy escalate tensions too much, ultimately reducing the chances that the world’s two major powers can achieve a sensible accommodation? Join four leading experts for a debate on the motion, “The Recent U.S. Policy Toward China Is Productive.” Learn more about Intelligence Squared U.S. and cast your vote to decide the winner at IQ2US.org. Charles Duhigg's "How To" podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can focusing on science and technology transform how Americans think about the economy and the future of the nation's working class? In this episode of Discourse Disrupters, former IMF chief economist Simon Johnson joins host John Donvan for a conversation about his new book, "Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when an economist walks into a brothel? In this episode, economist and author Allison Schrager talks with host John Donvan about her new book, “An Economist Walks Into a Brothel,” and how you can use reason to assess risk in your everyday life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices