Words & Numbers

In this episode, we look at a series of recent arrests tied to online posts, comparing Britain’s policing culture and firearms laws with American norms and examining how “feeling threatened” has become a legal standard. We discuss Alaska’s new AI-driven digital identity system and the fears surrounding automated benefits, digital currency, and government control. We highlight the week’s “foolishness” involving a racist outburst at a Cinnabon, and then turn to market news as Bitcoin drops and DJT stock continues to collapse. Our main topic explores whether AI can ever be sentient, what genuine inquisitiveness looks like, how people project humanity onto algorithms, and why the real risks stem from human psychology rather than runaway machines. We close with a discussion of how AI affects relationships, personal responsibility, and why students shouldn’t rely on it to think for them. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:01 British Man Arrested Over Social Media Post 02:46 Police Overreach and “Feelings as La

In this episode, we examine why arts education often maintains higher standards even as liberal arts programs shrink in schools and universities, and what students lose when curriculum narrows to job training. We discuss how platforms like X are adding country-of-origin labels to identify foreign influence and bot activity, and highlight the “foolishness of the week” involving the controversy over the “world’s strongest woman” and the broader questions it raises about biology and competitive fairness. We turn to Australia’s proposal to ban social media for kids under sixteen, exploring the practical limits of age verification, the tension between parental authority and government regulation, and why teens remain vulnerable to algorithmic manipulation. We close by considering where society should draw age boundaries, how platforms shape behavior, and what genuine responsibility looks like in the digital age. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:29 The State of Arts Education Today 02:57 Why Liberal Arts Are

In this episode, we open with a look at how news coverage distorts public perception of danger, from shark attacks to terrorism, and why our instincts so often fail to match the data. We analyze the betting markets in regards to potential 2028 GOP presidential candidates. We discuss Ohio’s new proposal to offer paternity testing at birth, raising deeper questions about truth, family, and whether the state should standardize knowledge people may prefer not to have. We explore what consent really means in modern politics, how taxation relates to self-ownership, and whether withdrawing consent is even possible inside a democratic system. We dig into the philosophy of “future selves,” weighing whether personal choices today can violate the rights of the person we eventually become, and how this idea might reshape debates about children, drug laws, responsibility, and property rights. We wrap with the growing implications of deepfake technology, including one startling clip that hits very close to home. 00:00 I

In this episode, we discuss the fallout from the government shutdown and how delays in federal economic data, including the Consumer Price Index and jobs reports, leave policymakers and the public effectively “driving without headlights.” We examine the broader risks of making monetary decisions without timely information and the political incentives surrounding data transparency. We turn to new reporting on Border Patrol surveillance, exploring constitutional concerns raised by nationwide license-plate monitoring, predictive algorithms, and civil asset forfeiture. We highlight the “foolishness of the week,” a Thanksgiving trend piece on secretly stoned dinner guests, before shifting to a Thanksgiving tradition of our own as we reflect on what we’re thankful not to have, from VAT taxes and debtors’ prisons to hostile borders, historic diseases, and restrictions on homeschooling and peaceful protest. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:33 The Government Shutdown’s Aftermath 04:55 Border Patrol’s Expanding

In this episode, we discuss the firing of an FBI trainee over an LGBTQ+ flag and the broader tensions surrounding free speech, impartiality, and government workplaces. We examine conflicting messages from Trump and J.D. Vance about the state of the economy, along with the role tariffs and consumer sentiment play in shaping public perceptions. We highlight the “foolishness of the week,” involving a MAGA supporter accused of staging a hate crime, and we explore new polling that reveals surprising levels of national consensus on political violence, facts versus opinions, multiculturalism, and the influence of wealthy donors. We also break down what Americans really agree on, why those shared beliefs matter, and how they shape the health of our democratic system. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:29 FBI Fires Agent Over LGBTQ Flag Dispute 02:39 Political Neutrality and Ideology in Law Enforcement 04:48 Trump’s Economic Messaging vs. Consumer Sentiment 07:38 J.D. Vance’s Call for Patience 09:25 The Linger

Words & Numbers Live is a members only series exclusive to CiVL.com in which Antony and James discuss politics, philosophy, and economics, and invite listeners for a live Q&A session. To participate, subscribe at CiVL.com, where you can see what lectures we have coming up, and access all of our Words & Numbers content. James and Antony take listener questions on politics, philosophy, and economics and how they matter for upgrading civilization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we discuss the rising backlash to last week’s comments about Nick Fuentes, the distinction between personal judgment and deplatforming, and the broader question of what ideas belong in public discourse. We explore the failures of remedial education across major universities, the collapsing academic standards that allow students to advance without basic literacy and numeracy, and the systemic incentives that push institutions to “get students through” rather than educate them. We examine the roots of the public-school crisis, the role of property-tax funding, the constraints of unionized pay structures, and why market incentives and genuine school choice may be the only workable path forward. We also revisit lessons from the Soviet Union, grocery-store abundance, and what markets reveal about human flourishing in ways central planning never can. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:19 The Camino Story and Unexpected Love of Hiking 05:03 Walking Ancient Roman Roads with Modern Tech 07:50 Cr

In this episode, we discuss how Meta and its algorithms shape what we see online, why the penny has finally been discontinued, and the legal and economic complications that follow from eliminating small denominations. For the “foolishness of the week,” we highlight a small-town newspaper that was awarded a $3 million settlement stemming from an unlawful raid, and the First Amendment implications it raises. We examine the disconnect between a sluggish economy and soaring asset prices, discuss how Fed policy and excess liquidity fuel inflation in financial markets, and consider what rising bubbles in stocks, housing, gold, and bitcoin mean for retirement planning and long-term investment behavior. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:37 Meta Entertainment and Hot Wheels 04:49 The Discontinuation of the Penny 06:45 How Eliminating Pennies Would Affect Retailers and Consumers 11:18 Who Actually Has the Power to Change U.S. Currency 12:49 Reflections on U.S. Currency 15:57 Foolishness of the Week: $3 Millio

In this episode, we examine the growing disconnect between education theory and classroom reality, as academic research drifts toward identity themes while teachers confront daily behavioral and practical challenges. We discuss the BBC’s misleading edits of Trump’s January 6 remarks and what the scandal reveals about media trust, then turn to a “foolishness of the week” on claims about podcasting’s diversity problem. We analyze new polling that shows Trump losing ground with Republicans and independents, rising economic frustration, and how political pressure is driving shifts on tariffs, immigration, and labor policy. We also touch on the Epstein files debate and the constitutional limits on congressional speech, considering how these controversies reflect changing public opinion and the incentives that push policymakers back toward the center. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:34 Academia’s Incentive Problem 07:47 BBC Scandal and Leadership Failures 11:13 The “Podcast Diversity” Study 13:01 Social M

In this episode, we take a close look at the growing complexity of legislation in the age of artificial intelligence and how longer, denser bills create new incentives for politicians to hide provisions that voters would never spot on their own. We also examine the Trump administration’s new visa rules, including the unexpected decision to classify obesity as grounds for denial, and what this says about public policy and shifting cultural norms. We analyze Trump’s proposal for $2,000 tariff-funded checks and the Supreme Court case that could unravel the entire tariff structure, followed by a deeper dive into the real economics of trade, revenue, and political incentives. We finish with a look at the housing market, the push for 50-year mortgages, and why extending loan terms does little to address the underlying supply constraints driving home prices and unaffordability. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:28 The Future of Legislation in the Age of AI 08:07 No Visas for Obese People 12:12 Foolishness of

In this episode, we discuss false scarcity and how fear drives bad economic decisions, comparing self-sufficiency with the global benefits of free trade and the trust that arises from voluntary exchange. We examine the economics of water management, from property rights and groundwater to desalination and market incentives for conservation. We also cover corruption in sports betting, political hypocrisy in market regulation, and the populist rise of figures like Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes. We explore the decline of moderation in American politics, the failures of the two-party system, and what genuine self-government could look like in a more responsible democracy. 00:00 Introduction and Listener Mail 02:56 The Illusion of Scarcity and Economic Fear 04:14 Self-Sufficiency vs. the Benefits of Global Trade 05:11 Trust, Trade, and Peace Between Nations 08:24 Water Rights and the Economics of Groundwater 10:18 Innovation, Desalination, and Market Incentives 13:17 Sports Betting, Corruption, and the

In this episode, we discuss vacuum espionage, election polling, voter bias, and the persistence of the “hidden Republican” phenomenon, before turning to the Foolishness of the Week on Barack Obama’s shifting racial politics. We then speak with historian David Beito, author of FDR: A New Political Life, about Franklin D. Roosevelt’s lasting impact on American governance. We examine how FDR reshaped the federal government through progressivism, centralized planning, and the expansion of executive power, connecting his presidency to modern debates over welfare, economic rights, and political authority. We also explore the contradictions of FDR’s leadership, his charisma and pragmatism alongside his willingness to suppress dissent, and how his policies continue to influence government and public trust today. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:53 The Smart Vacuum That Spied 04:25 Off-Year Elections in California and New York 06:55 Polling Bias and the Hidden Republican Vote 09:15 Foolishness of the Week: Ba

Words & Numbers Live is a members only series exclusive to CiVL.com in which Antony and James discuss politics, philosophy, and economics, and invite listeners for a live Q&A session. To participate, subscribe at CiVL.com, where you can see what lectures we have coming up, and access all of our Words & Numbers content. Unintended consequences arise when decision makers impose decisions on people and those people react in ways the decision makers didn’t anticipate. Unintended consequences can’t be fixed through better decision making because the problem doesn’t arise from the decision maker. They arise from the fact that people are being forced to behave in a way they’d rather not behave. We'll walk through myriad examples of well-intended laws and regulations that resulted in unintended consequences that either reversed or mitigated the policy makers’ intentions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we examine how Americans view government power and economic responsibility during another federal shutdown. We discuss growing distrust of federal authority, confusion over who holds real power, and how political brinkmanship creates real-world consequences such as missed paychecks, grounded flights, and suspended food aid. We cover the ethics of welfare and workfare, the balance between private charity and public assistance, and the economic effects of shutdowns, tariffs, and education spending. Together, these issues reveal how political dysfunction continues to weaken public trust and fiscal stability. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:30 The Myth of Hard Work and the American Dream 01:58 Capitalism vs. Socialism 03:41 Public Distrust in Federal Power 06:43 Trump’s Tariffs and the Economics of Uncertainty 09:56 Trump Derangement Syndrome 12:42 Do Billionaires Really Hoard Wealth? 19:18 Foolishness of the Week: Arizona’s $80 Million Stadium 22:58 Education Spending and Misplaced

In this episode, we discuss Denmark’s proposal to grant citizens ownership of their face, voice, and likeness to combat AI deepfakes, and the ethical and legal implications of personal identity rights in the digital age. We highlight the “foolishness of the week” involving tariffs and political overreaction to a Canadian ad campaign, and explore the concept of sound money with guest Jp Cortez of the Sound Money Defense League. The conversation covers gold and silver as currency, the consequences of fiat money and inflation, and how monetary policy shapes economic freedom, government power, and personal responsibility. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:27 Denmark's Copyright Law 02:39 AI Deepfakes and Property Rights 05:10 Unintended Consequences of the Law 08:29 The Ethical Implications of AI Deepfakes 10:47 Foolishness of the Week: Reagan's AI Ad 12:16 Trump’s Reaction to the Reagan Ad 15:01 Introduction to Jp Cortez and Sound Money Defense League 15:25 Re-monetizing Gold and Silver 17:09 Sound

Words & Numbers Live is a members only series exclusive to CiVL.com in which Antony and James discuss politics, philosophy, and economics, and invite listeners for a live Q&A session. To participate, subscribe at CiVL.com, where you can see what lectures we have coming up, and access all of our Words & Numbers content. We don’t “know” nearly as much as we think we do, and this causes all kinds of political problems. How do we come to know things, and what does that mean in terms of our goals and plans? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we examine new polling on tax policy and the debate over taxing the rich, analyzing how effective tax rates and government spending affect deficit reduction. We discuss a breakthrough in medical innovation that has helped restore sight to patients with macular degeneration, and highlight the growing problem of political crassness in this week’s foolishness. We address a listener question on state pension reform and the inefficiencies of public bureaucracy, and explore how economic incentives influence behavior in areas such as conservation, resource management, and everyday decision-making. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:25 Taxing the Rich to Reduce Federal Debt 09:06 The Problem with Corporate Taxes 11:22 The Only Solution to the Spending Problem 12:33 A Cure for Blindness 15:25 Karoline Leavitt’s “Your Mom” Joke 18:03 Trump’s No Kings Protest AI Video 19:57 Municipal Workers Held Captive by State Pension Systems 23:16 Perverse Incentives Sustain Bureaucratic Systems 29:33 Th

In this episode, we examine the effectiveness of political protest in the wake of the No Kings demonstrations, new polling regarding Trump’s approval rating among different voting demographics, and the prospects of the president’s removal from office. We discuss a case under consideration by the Supreme Court regarding marijuana usage and gun ownership, and the implications that arise from infringement on liberties. We also dive into a case regarding a Karen who sued her neighbor over the smell of marijuana, and relate it to many other problems currently plaguing our society. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:29 The Effectiveness of Protests 05:54 The No Kings Protests 07:01 Removing Trump From Office 10:44 Trump’s Approval Rating Poll 14:35 Supreme Court Considering Case on Marijuana Use and Gun Ownership  17:12 Rights and Limits in The Constitution 20:58 The Potential Implications of a 2nd Amendment Ruling 23:23 Karen Sues Over Marijuana Smell 29:37 Masks and Other Petty Civil Disagreements 34

Words & Numbers Live is a members only series exclusive to CiVL.com in which Antony and James discuss politics, philosophy, and economics, and invite listeners for a live Q&A session. To participate, subscribe at CiVL.com, where you can see what lectures we have coming up, and access all of our Words & Numbers content. The foundation of a healthy society, regardless of the economic or political structure is human respect. When people respect each other because we are all equal in dignity, institutions emerge that reflect and promote that respect. We believe that societies that embrace human respect will necessarily also tend toward political and economic freedom. Taken to the extreme, a society in which each person truly embraces respect for himself and for every other person may find no need for government at all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we examine the complexities of opting out of social security, the implications of the US passport's changing status, and the potential consequences of AI policy shifts. We explore the historical context of economic policies, and the role of government in market distortions, comparing and contrasting the current administration’s policies with those of former administrations. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:28 Opting Out of Social Security 07:31 US Passport and International Travel 13:35 AI Policy Shifts and Implications 26:40 Historical Perspectives on Nixon’s Presidency31:09 Price Controls and Economic Impact 41:15 Trade War with China and Tariffs 44:10 Comparing Nixon’s Economy to Today’s 51:07 The Political Benefit of Higher Tax Rates and The Tax Code 53:49 Comparing Trump to Nixon, Reagan, and FDR 57:42 Lessons About Market Distortions 59:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices