The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie

Michael Shermer, founder of Skeptic magazine and author on rationalism, discusses the rising tide of conspiracy thinking and its political roots. He argues against the narratives of well-known conspiracies and critiques how wokeness impacts science, compromising research integrity. Shermer emphasizes the need for open discourse in academia and reflects on the evolution of individual rights, particularly in contentious areas like sports and morality. He also sheds light on the phenomenon of UFO sightings, likening it to social contagion and misinterpretation.

Christina Dent, founder of End It For Good, is on a mission to reshape addiction policy through a health-centered lens. A former foster mom, she shifted from a traditional conservative viewpoint to advocating for drug legalization as a compassionate response. During the discussion, she reveals the surprising history of the war on drugs, critiques the harmful impacts of criminalization, and emphasizes the need for personalized recovery approaches. Dent also highlights the importance of understanding addiction within families and promotes harm reduction over punitive measures.

"Tariff is the most beautiful word in the dictionary," says Donald Trump, who made many promises throughout the 2024 presidential race to raise the cost of imports from China, Mexico, and Canada—America's three biggest trading partners. But are Trump's tariffs a good idea or a terrible one? And is the era of free trade coming to a close? That's the topic of today's Reason Interview. Reason's Nick Gillespie talks with Dartmouth economist Douglas Irwin, author of Trade Policy Disaster: Lessons from the 1930s and Free Trade under Fire, now in its fifth edition. They talk about the negative impacts of the tariffs that Trump levied in his first term; why Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden also trafficked in protectionism; and why free trade is always under attack despite its overall benefits. 0:00—Introduction 1:13—The fight for free trade 3:06—Donald Trump: "Tariff Man" 5:44—How tariffs affect consumers 9:03—Trump's political motivations behind tariffs 12:33—U.S. steel industry 15:15—The effect of protectionism on jobs 18:39—Automation, industry, and agriculture 25:40—China's protectionist policies 26:58—Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act 33:59—Free trade debates of the Ronald Regan, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton eras 38:41—China's impact on markets 40:24—Populist arguments against free trade 44:49—The narrative about the baby formula shortage is wrong. 51:29—"Made in China" vs. "assembled in China" 52:41—The "Buy American" fallacy   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 that doubles as a taping of The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie. The next one takes place on January 21 with two of the nation's most notable proponents of immigration liberalization, David Bier and Bryan Caplan, who will join Nick for a timely discussion about the state of U.S. immigration policy in 2025. They will discuss the implications of the incoming Trump administration's immigration proposals and make the libertarian case for why more immigration will make America great again. Video Editor: Ian KeyserThe post Douglas Irwin: Why Trump's Tariff Plans Are Dangerous appeared first on Reason.com.

Sister Helen Prejean, a prominent Catholic nun and activist, has spent decades fighting against the death penalty, inspired by her experience with a death row inmate. She discusses the moral complexities surrounding capital punishment, emphasizing compassion and dignity. Sharing insights from her acclaimed memoir 'Dead Man Walking,' she touches on the emotional toll of the justice system on victims' families. Prejean also advocates for an inclusive church that embraces feminism and LGBTQ rights, revealing her personal struggles with love and duty.

Jeffrey Edward Green, a political scientist at the University of Pennsylvania and author of 'Bob Dylan: Prophet Without God,' dives into the complexities of Bob Dylan’s enduring legacy. He discusses Dylan's unique blend of individual self-expression and social justice. Green argues that Dylan's evolution from acoustic to electric music mirrors the tumult of the 60s while addressing themes of faith and activism. The conversation also touches on Dylan's cultural relevance today, inspiring new generations and navigating the modern landscape of music and politics.

Penny Lane, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker known for works like *Listening to Kenny G* and *Hail Satan?*, shares her transformative journey as an altruistic kidney donor. She discusses the emotional and physical impacts of her donation, ethical considerations surrounding organ compensation, and the moral complexities of altruism. Lane also reflects on the evolving landscape of documentary filmmaking and whether we're witnessing a golden age for the genre, all while engaging in a thought-provoking exploration of authenticity in storytelling.

In late 2017, in the name of "zero tolerance," President Donald Trump introduced a policy of separating parents and children who crossed the Southern border and requested asylum in the United States. In all, an estimated 5,500 children were taken from their parents and many were held in detention facilities, some of which had been constructed by the Obama administration. Over 1,000 children are still unaccounted for by the federal government. The policy ended in 2018 after massive public outcry. The zero tolerance policy is the subject of Separated, a new documentary by Academy Award–winning filmmaker Errol Morris. It has aired on MSNBC and will be available for streaming on December 17. Reason's Nick Gillespie talks with Morris and journalist Jacob Soboroff, whose book on the controversy inspired the film. They discuss how family separation became policy and whether it acted as a deterrent, America's long and ambivalent relationship with legal and illegal immigration, and what Trump's second term will mean for immigration policy. 0:00- Introduction 2:15- Trump's 'zero-tolerance' immigration policy 5:33- Jacob Soboroff's book 9:33- Who was really behind the child separation policy? 13:09- State-created orphans and the asylum process 15:04- Immigration policies through U.S. history 18:31- American attitudes towards immigration v implemented policies 21:21- Ad: ZBiotics 23:07- Anti-immigration rhetoric escalated during the 2024 election 29:15- 'Border Czar' Tom Homan 32:15- Stephen Miller, Elaine Duke & Kirsten Nielsen 37:35- Nielsen's replacement, Kristi Noem 39:42- The Dunning-Kruger administration? 40:57- Expertise vs. disruption 44:43- How to change attitudes toward immigration   Previous appearances: "Errol Morris on Steve Bannon, Donald Trump, Theranos, and Cancel Culture," November 8, 2019 "Errol Morris on Donald Rumsfeld, The Unknown Known, and Evidence-Based Journalism," April 12, 2014 Today's sponsor: ZBiotics. ZBiotics Pre-Alcohol Probiotic Drink is the world's first genetically engineered probiotic. It was invented by Ph.D. scientists to tackle rough mornings after drinking. Make ZBiotics your first drink of the night, drink responsibly, and you'll feel your best tomorrow. Get 15 percent off by going to ZBiotics/TRI and using the code TRI at checkout. Video Editor: Ian KeyserThe post Errol Morris and Jacob Soboroff: Trump's Immigration Policies Are Indefensible appeared first on Reason.com.

Brendan O'Neill, chief political writer for Spiked and author of "After the Pogrom," dives into the fallout from the October 7 Hamas attacks. He critiques the extreme left's embrace of Hamas, reflecting on historical shifts from secular nationalism to religious extremism. O'Neill discusses the complexities of cultural symbols like the keffiyeh and the misconceptions of Israel's identity. With a personal political evolution from Trotskyism to libertarianism, he underscores the need for increased individual power against societal constraints.

Martin Gurri, a former CIA analyst and author, dives into the chaos of modern politics, explaining his support for Trump in the context of a rapidly changing landscape. He contrasts chaos with control, drawing insights from the Arab Spring and the evolving role of social media in political resistance. Gurri discusses the transformation of communities in the digital age and the rise of new coalitions. He also warns of impending chaos while maintaining a long-term optimism for societal evolution and the potential for meaningful change.

Amanda Knox, an activist and writer wrongfully convicted of murder, shares her profound journey. She discusses the emotional scars of wrongful conviction and the media's sensationalism surrounding her case, emphasizing the need for greater media literacy. Knox reveals her ongoing struggle with the psychological fallout and her thoughts on the U.S. and Italian justice systems. She also touches on the ethical implications of true crime storytelling, expressing feelings of exploitation while advocating for respectful narratives that honor personal histories.