The Political Orphanage

Exploring the concept of the commons, its historical significance, and potential in reshaping society. Discussion on state paternalism, devaluation of non-labor work, and the importance of understanding property ownership in relation to commons. Emphasis on preserving social cooperatives as commons and concerns about the dominance of private equity finance.

A high schooler from Iraq discusses the invasion of his hometown, life under Saddam Hussein's regime, anarchy and its implications, living in a war-torn country, becoming an interpreter for the American Army, the dangerous collaboration, the perceived legitimacy of democracy, meeting online and a long-distance relationship, presuming good intentions, preparations for societal breakdown, the experience of having children and the potential for civil unrest, concerns about red states and blue states splitting up.

Dr. Michael Webber, Professor of Energy Resources at the University of Texas, discusses how energy experts approach different energy sources, trade-offs in policy discussions, bipartisan opportunities for clean energy, the potential of solar energy, LED lights' efficiency, exploring fusion technology, and transitioning to renewable energy sources.

Former intelligence officer David Grusch recently appeared before Congress, claiming that the US government possesses extraterrestrial vehicles and alien bodies. How credible are these claims and how should the government respond? Brian Dunning, host of The Skeptoid podcast and "The UFO Movie THEY Don't Want You To See," joins the discussion on UFOs and the government's knowledge.

Dr. Robert Zubrin, author of “The Case for Nukes,” discusses the safety and benefits of nuclear power, debunking misconceptions about renewable energy and highlighting the importance of nuclear power in addressing global poverty and energy demands. He also addresses radiation exposure, cancer rates, and the safety of storing nuclear waste in salt caverns.

Dr. Steve Fuller of Warwick University says the meaningful split in society is not Leftwing vs. Rightwing, but rather Upwing vs. Downwing. Both have radically different attitudes to both risk and human nature, which informs their policy decisions and the direction they want to steer society.  SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.patreon.com/andrewheaton Dr. Fuller’s book at: www.mightyheaton.com/featured Referenced in the show today:  TPO: “Was Abraham Lincoln Leftwing or Rightwing?” https://politicalorphanage.libsyn.com/hyrum-lewis “Transcenant Man” – Documentary by Ray Kurzweill about the Singularity https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transcendent-Man-Ray-Kurzweil/dp/B016V7WCLA ATA: The Bioethics of Gattica – Discussed on Alienating the Audience https://alienating.libsyn.com/gattaca ATA: How Cryonics Works – Interview on Alienating the Audience https://alienating.libsyn.com/we-can-freeze-you-how-cryonics-works

Lawrence Lessig of Harvard University is the nation’s foremost thinker and advocate for campaign finance reform around SuperPAC’s. He joins the show to argue for governing political campaigns and SuperPAC’s under the same rules.  Lessig’s website and contest: https://equalcitizens.us/crowdfund-video/

Statistics can be mangled to say whatever you’d like, and sometimes they’re garbage to begin with. Aaron Brown teaches statistics at New York University and at the University of California. He joins to tip us off on statistical malfeasance.

America is less geographically-focused than ever, but her government is still foundationally built around land areas. What would politics look like if geography played less of a role? Max Borders joins to discuss.   SUPPORT THE SHOW! Patreon.com/andrewheaton   TOP TEN EPISODES: www.mightyheaton.com/bestof   Max's Constitution writing contest: https://underthrow.substack.com/p/the-constitution-of-consent-contest   Referenced Today:   The Network State, by Balaji Srinivasan   The Dawn of Everything, by David Graeber and David Wengrow

Thom Taylor is Los Angeles financial advisor who spent a decade writing for movie magazines. He knows the creative and business side of Hollywood, and how the current writer strike is apt to alter the trajectory of entertainment.   Thom's website is www.delreycap.com   Raymond Chandler article: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1945/11/writers-in-hollywood/306454/?fbclid=IwAR1_W5PZ_esxYb8WCRViCmsVfnEyyw8eedUhOVN1hiPrXQ3ji3nIYemTtOI