The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie

Jason Furman, a Harvard economist and former adviser to President Obama, critiques Bidenomics and the failures of neoliberalism. He discusses the consequences of tariffs from the Trump era, emphasizing that they function as taxes. Furman expresses new concerns about national debt and the impact of AI on the economy, highlighting the need for accountability in fiscal policies. Additionally, he explores the challenges of reforming Social Security and Medicare while revisiting his views on Keynesian economics and the ongoing evolution of economic thought.

Mark Clifford, former editor of the South China Morning Post and author of 'The Troublemaker', discusses the inspiring life of Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy activist and political prisoner in China. They dive into Lai’s extraordinary escape from mainland China, his rise as a billionaire entrepreneur, and his courageous stand for free speech through his publication, Apple Daily. The conversation also highlights the brutal reality of Lai's prison life and the broader implications for free expression in Hong Kong amid increasing authoritarianism.

Leigh Stein and Julius Taranto, both satirical novelists, dive into the role of satire today. Stein, known for her sharp wit addressing the wellness industry, and Taranto, whose work explores cancel culture, discuss whether today's cultural climate allows for impactful satire. They reflect on how novels can outshine other media and critique societal absurdities, especially within feminism. With TikTok shaping reading preferences, they examine how younger audiences are reviving interest in literature, making a case for the transformative potential of modern storytelling.

James Fadiman, a Stanford-trained psychologist and pioneer in microdosing, teams up with Jordan Gruber, co-author on health benefits of psychedelics. They dive into how microdosing can alleviate depression and enhance cognitive function, likening it to a vitamin regimen. The duo tackles the shifting landscape of psychedelic legalization, discussing its cultural normalization regardless of political climate. They also reflect on the growing acceptance of psychedelics in therapy, emphasizing the potential for societal transformation and healing.

Today's guest is Reason Senior Editor Brian Doherty, who has just published Modern Libertarianism: A Brief History of Classical Liberalism in the United States. His previous books include Radicals for Capitalism, the indispensable history of the libertarian movement, and titles covering the Ron Paul revolution, gun rights, Burning Man, and underground comics. Modern Libertarianism analyzes the political and cultural legacies of figures such as Ludwig von Mises, F.A. Hayek, Murray Rothbard, Milton Friedman, and Barry Goldwater. Doherty talks with Reason's Nick Gillespie about Ayn Rand and the other two women who helped conceptualize libertarian thought—Rose Wilder Lane and Isabel Paterson. Doherty and Gillespie also discuss how libertarians have played leading, if often underappreciated, roles in battles over free speech, international trade, immigration, deregulation, drug legalization, and lifestyle liberation. This interview was recorded at The Reason Speakeasy, a live monthly event in New York City that doubles as a live taping of this podcast. For information on upcoming events, go here. 1:59 — New book: Modern Libertarianism 3:26 — Isabel Paterson and The God of the Machine 5:14 — Rose Wilder Lane and the libertarian roots of Little House on the Prairie 9:59 — How did libertarianism get so male-dominated? 18:08 — Ayn Rand 26:15 — Is the Trump administration libertarian at all? 29:17 — Robert LeFevre and Murray Rothbard's thoughts on blackmail and violence 34:14 — Kerry Thornley and his unlikely connection to Lee Harvey Oswald 39:19 — Barry Goldwater's influence on libertarianism 47:00 — The rising respectability of libertarianism 48:17 — Libertarianism is not conservatism or reactionary 52:27 — The Libertarian Party 55:00 — The Cato Institute 56:16 — Libertarianism's wins 58:00 — Burning Man Video Editor: Ian KeyserThe post Brian Doherty: The Fascinating Women and Weirdos Who Founded Libertarianism appeared first on Reason.com.

Rachel Barkow, a law professor at NYU and author of *Justice Abandoned*, dives deep into the controversial use of presidential pardon power under Trump and Biden. She critiques Biden's end-of-term pardons and Trump's pardons for January 6 defendants, highlighting issues of nepotism and favoritism. Barkow also raises alarms about Supreme Court precedents affecting justice and discusses her experience clerking for Justice Antonin Scalia, revealing surprising bipartisan commonalities in their dialogue.

Our guest today is Alton Brown, who for years hosted Good Eats on the Food Network and brought his interest in science to the making of dinner. He's currently touring the country, and he has also just published Food for Thought, a great collection of essays about food, culture, and his life on and off the screen. In this episode, Reason's Nick Gillespie talks with Brown about how food transcends politics, why fusion cooking isn't cultural appropriation, and why there's always room for Jell-O salad on his menu. 0:43— Brown's Last Bite tour 1:55— Brown's new book: Food for Thought 6:40— Curiosity and surprise are essential to life 12:03— The pizza that made Alton Brown 16:21— When Indian immigrants made kadhi that blew Brown's mind 18:57— The positive case for 'cultural appropriation' 26:53— Food media's impact on cooking skills 30:40— How Martha Stewart's perfectionism ruined dinner parties 32:07— Julia Child, Mr. Wizard, and Monty Python 39:56— Good Eats motivated food exploration 48:19— Ozempic & the moral value of restraint 51:01— USDA & FDA were created to support industry, not consumers 55:28— Southern cuisine and Jello salads 57:00— On being from the South and embracing its full history Today's sponsor: The Reason Speakeasy. The Reason Speakeasy is a monthly unscripted conversation in New York City with outspoken defenders of free thinking and heterodoxy in an age of intellectual conformity and groupthink. It doubles as a live taping of The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie. Go here to buy tickets and go here to sign up for Reason's NYC Events newsletter. Video Editor: Ian KeyserThe post Alton Brown: A Culinary Legend Offers <em>Food for Thought</em> appeared first on Reason.com.

In this engaging conversation, John McWhorter, a Columbia University linguist and New York Times columnist known for his works on race and culture, explores the evolving landscape of wokeness and its impact on society. He argues for the decline of politically correct practices and the shifting dynamics in academia and the arts. McWhorter shares insights from his forthcoming book, 'Pronoun Trouble,' and discusses the complexities of identity politics, the emotional toll of affirmative action, and the importance of cultural mixing in today's discourse.

Jim O'Shaughnessy, a superstar investor and host of the Infinite Loops podcast, discusses the transformative power of free minds and markets. He highlights the lessons from his book 'Two Thoughts,' contrasting thinkers versus provers and emphasizing critical thinking. Their conversation dives into Biden's COVID-19 policies and AI regulation, speculating on a potentially fruitful second term for Trump. O'Shaughnessy also explores innovative societal solutions, suggesting a better approach to education and the pressing need to tackle rent-seeking behaviors.

Sean McMeekin, a historian from Bard College and author of "To Overthrow the World," delves into the surprising resurgence of communism as a governing ideology. He discusses the violent history of communism, exploring figures like Stalin and Mao, and critiques the 'whitewashing' of Marx's violent roots. McMeekin also reflects on American attitudes toward communism, the concept of 'permanent revolution,' and how the political landscape today mirrors past ideologies. His insights provoke a reexamination of civil liberties and the enduring appeal of leftist thought.