Best The Progress Network With Zachary Karabell And Emma Varvaloucas Podcasts (2023)

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What Could Go Right?

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S4. Ep. 16: What We Talk About When We Talk About Science with Sara Walker 51:25

15m ago51:25

51:25

What's the nature of the universe? What is life? And what do we talk about when we talk about science? We're joined by Professor Sara Walker, an astrobiologist and theoretical physicist with research interests in the origins of life, artificial life, and detection of life on other worlds, to see how the way we think about the world informs the rest…

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S4. Ep. 15: How to Be Optimistic About America with John Avlon 58:24

8h ago58:24

58:24

What road is hyperpartisanship taking us down? Can we learn from our history? And is the current state of American politics worse than ever before? Today, we talk with CNN's senior political analyst and author of "Lincoln and the Fight for Peace," John Avlon, to discuss how the past can inform our understanding of and response to current political …

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S4. Ep. 14: Ukraine's Counteroffensive with Tim Mak 53:50

1d ago53:50

53:50

What is the human side of war? Investigative journalist Tim Mak joins us from Kyiv to share an update on Ukraine's spring counteroffensive, what life is like in a war-torn country, and what he has learned about resilience and mental health covering his first war. Plus, electric vehicles' growth is explosive, and a battery breakthrough that could ma…

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S4. Ep. 13: Demon Drugs and Moral Panics with Maia Szalavitz 52:51

9m ago52:51

52:51

Is drug use always harmful? How does empathy play a role in addiction? Could it be more beneficial to approach drug use as a public health issue rather than a criminal one? In this episode, we speak with Maia Szalavitz, an award-winning journalist and author, about the potential benefits of harm reduction for addiction treatment and addressing larg…

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S4. Ep. 12: Artificial Unintelligence with Baratunde Thurston 56:13

7d ago56:13

56:13

Is technology moving us forward or backward? What is the human cost of progress? And is artificial intelligence making people more divided, or can it help us find common ground? Comedian, commentator, and author Baratunde Thurston joins us to talk about how technology and humanity are sometimes at odds and sometimes companions. What Could Go Right?…

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S4. Ep. 11: Challenging the Consensus on China with Jessica Chen Weiss 50:43

14d ago50:43

50:43

Is China the US's perennial enemy? How do the complexities of China's political landscape affect global affairs? And is conflict over Taiwan inevitable? In today's episode, we explore these questions with Jessica Chen Weiss, a Cornell professor and author specializing in Chinese foreign policy and nationalism. Plus, we learn about Uzbekistan's chan…

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S4. Ep. 10: Demanding More: Politics in Sub-Saharan Africa with Ebenezer Obadare 53:37

21d ago53:37

53:37

Are the tides shifting in Africa? What direction is the continent's progress toward good governance headed? And how should we understand competing international interests and investment there? Ebenezer Obadare, a Douglas Dillon senior fellow for Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins us to examine Nigeria's contentious election a…

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S4. Ep. 9: The Boys Are Not All Right with Richard Reeves 1:03:37

28d ago1:03:37

1:03:37

Is the struggle of boys and men a partisan issue? And how have recent economic and social changes influenced the classroom, the workplace, and the family? Brookings Institution scholar Richard V. Reeves joins us to tackle the complex crisis of boyhood and manhood. Plus, we look at the US's renewable power industry and discuss Malaysia's death penal…

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S4. Ep. 8: The Globalization Myth with Shannon O'Neil 56:39

1M ago56:39

56:39

How have regional dynamics shifted in an increasingly globalizing world? And what is going on in Latin America and Mexico, and how will it affect the United States? Today we talk with Shannon O'Neil, vice president, deputy director of studies, and senior fellow for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, as well as the author of …

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S4. Ep. 7: How to Create Positive Change with Danielle Moodie and Wajahat Ali 1:02:59

1M ago1:02:59

1:02:59

How does change actually occur? And what are the best tactics for bringing large coalitions together? Hosts of Democracy-ish, Danielle Moodie and Wajahat Ali, discuss the balance between angry revolution and individual hope, and what ultimately gets people on board with a movement. Plus, we take a look at the World Happiness Report and the college …

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S4. Ep. 6: Entangled with Isaac Saul 1:04:36

2M ago1:04:36

1:04:36

Are we as divided as we think we are? Is it possible to move out of our political and news silos? And is there a way to re-establish trust in the media? Isaac Saul, the founder of Tangle News, shares his effort to offer truly bipartisan journalism. Plus, what's going on with Silicon Valley Bank, fentanyl test strips, and declassified Covid informat…

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S4. Ep. 5: Bootstrapping the American Dream with Alissa Quart 1:00:50

2M ago1:00:50

1:00:50

Has the American Dream changed? Is a side hustle the answer to income inequality? And is self-reliance the all-important north star we have been led to believe it is? Today, author, journalist, and Executive Director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project, Alissa Quart, asserts that at the heart of our distress is a misplaced belief in our inde…

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S4. Ep. 4: Government Secrecy with Matthew J. Connelly 1:03:20

2M ago1:03:20

1:03:20

What's with Biden's, Trump's, and Pence's classified documents? Why is everything secret in the first place? And what is this costing democracy? Matthew J. Connelly, professor of international and global history at Columbia University, principal investigator at History Lab, and author of the book "The Declassification Engine," looks at the conseque…

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S4. Ep. 3: Living Up to America's Promises with Peniel E. Joseph 1:04:23

2M ago1:04:23

1:04:23

Are we actually a "United" States? Has the US lived up to the promise of inclusivity, freedom, equality, and opportunity for everyone? And where can we go from here? Peniel E. Joseph, professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the history department in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin, joins us to ask these qu…

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S4. Ep. 2: Moral Ambition with Rutger Bregman 52:04

3M ago52:04

52:04

What incentivizes human behavior? How many of our problems come from a lack of cash? And how does shame work as a motivator? Join us and Rutger Bregman, author of “Humankind” and “Utopia for Realists,” to talk about balancing a critical eye with the conviction that the world can be improved upon. Plus, we look at the new billions being spent to fig…

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S4. Ep. 1: Good Indicators: A Bird's Eye View of 2023 with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas 47:13

3M ago47:13

47:13

What's going on with "the economy"? Is now the best time to be in love in all of human history? Should we be worried about the global state of democracy? "What Could Go Right?" hosts Zachary Karabell, founder of The Progress Network, and Emma Varvaloucas, executive director of The Progress Network, take a look at the world as it currently is and as…

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"What Could Go Right?" Season 4 1:11

3M ago1:11

1:11

Whether you need a pick-me-up or are already an optimist looking for smart, new solutions to old problems, a new season of "What Could Go Right?" starts February 15th, wherever you listen to podcasts. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.By The Progress Network with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas

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S3. Ep. 12: Misinformation, Climate Momentum, and Negative Headlines with Bina Venkataraman 53:08

5M ago53:08

53:08

Is there a shift in momentum around the climate crisis? Will we ever hit our environmental goals? How has gatekeeping and bias informed our news? Plus, we talk with Editor-at-Large for The Boston Globe and former Senior Advisor for Climate Change Innovation in the Obama White House, Bina Venkataraman. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progres…

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S3. Ep. 11: The Modern Muslim World, Social Media's Positive Effects, and Gay Marriage in America with Mustafa Akyol 53:49

6M ago53:49

53:49

Are we in an ebb of liberalism worldwide, or are recent events like the protests in Iran a sign of pushback? What would a "John Locke" movement for Islam look like? We’re joined by Mustafa Akyol, senior fellow at the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, whose work examines the intersection of religion, culture, and government.…

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S3. Ep. 10: The Fix for Crypto, Healthcare, and Equal Opportunity with Avik Roy 55:34

5M ago55:34

55:34

What does crypto mean for the future of banking? Why isn’t there an “Uber” for healthcare? Is negative economic growth necessarily bad? Today we’re joined by Avik Roy, President of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, to explore these questions. Plus, Sierra Leone pushes for change, Congress passes a “Bombshell” bill, and the 8 billion…

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S3. Ep. 9: Moving Away from Toxicity: Recapping the Midterms with Steve Clemons 54:44

6M ago54:44

54:44

Are Americans truly done with "angertainment" and toxic politicians? Is democracy safe? Where does the United States go from here? Founding Editor at Large of Semafor and former Editor at Large of “The Hill” and “The Atlantic” Steve Clemons joins us to react to the midterm results and analyze their impact. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Pr…

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S3. Ep. 8: Democracy on the Ballot, Climate Change, and Salary Transparency 49:54

6M ago49:54

49:54

Will the COP27 conference strengthen action against global warming? Is democracy really on the ballot? And as crime remains a concern for many Americans, what's really going on? Join Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas as they examine what's happening today. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.…

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S3. Ep. 7: World Energy, Student Loans, and Iran with Reza Aslan 55:46

6M ago55:46

55:46

Is the world’s energy situation as bad as we think? What’s going on with student debt relief? And why aren’t we paying more attention to Iran? We’re joined by Reza Aslan, leading expert in world religions, writer, and professor, to talk about the current, and former, Iranian struggles for freedom. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Ne…

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S3. Ep. 6: Midterms, Gerrymandering, Bias, and Conspiracy with Sharon McMahon 54:17

7M ago54:17

54:17

Social media sensation and former high school government and law teacher Sharon McMahon joins us to discuss the need for a better understanding of how the government works. Plus, what to expect for the midterms, the latest on gerrymandering, and an encouraging trend in US military mental health programs. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Prog…

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S3. Ep. 5: Space News, Hearing Aids, and a Changing Tomorrow with Jason Feifer 53:16

7M ago53:16

53:16

How is NASA propelling us into the future? Who is next to legalize same-sex marriage? Plus, we hear from the editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine, Jason Feifer, about how to embrace change without waiting for a crisis to push us forward. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.…

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S3. Ep. 4: Pardons, Guaranteed Income, and "Superabundance" with Gale L. Pooley and Marian L. Tupy 57:56

7M ago57:56

57:56

Has anything changed since #metoo started? When is Indigenous Peoples Day? What's the deal with guaranteed income? Plus, maybe the world is doing better than we thought. Authors of the book "Superabundance," Gale L. Pooley and Marian L. Tupy, argue that we are capable of more progress the more the world's population grows. What Could Go Right? is p…

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S3. Ep. 3: Why Is Violent Crime Rising? with Jennifer Doleac 47:04

7M ago47:04

47:04

Is Italy returning to fascism? Are we closer to a cure for cancer? And why is the violent crime rate climbing in the US? Economist Jennifer Doleac talks us though her research on the economics of crime and discrimination. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.By The Progress Network with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas

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S3. Ep. 2: Legalizing Marijuana, Electric Cars, and What’s Going on with California? with Sen. Robert Hertzberg 52:56

7M ago52:56

52:56

How has the experiment to legalize marijuana gone? Do schoolchildren need more sleep? Why is California suddenly doing all the things? Plus, bans to usher in a future of electric cars, bail reform, and tackling homelessness with Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Robert Hertzberg. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglo…

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S3. Ep. 1: Vaccine Equity and Bipartisan Reality with Rep. Eric Swalwell and Gov. Jeff Colyer 59:30

8M ago59:30

59:30

What's the impact of the new malaria vaccine with "world-changing" potential? Was there a lack of scrutiny over the worldwide Covid vaccine rollouts? Is there an update on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals? Plus, we talk with Congressman Eric Swalwell and Jeff Colyer, former Governor of Kansas, about the process, practicalities, and hope for a…

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"What Could Go Right?" Is Back! 0:44

8M ago0:44

0:44

We're back to discussing the central issues of our era, including sustainability, polarization, work, the economy, and making a case for a brighter future. Join us every week as we look at what's happening worldwide, talk with a diverse panel of experts, and ask the question: what could go right? What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Net…

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S2. Ep. 13: The New Space Race with Ché Bolden 1:12:59

11M ago1:12:59

1:12:59

Will space travel and exploration be left to the 'billionaire boys club'? Executive Director of the Inter Astra group and 26-year Marine Corps veteran Ché Bolden shares with us his views on the future of space. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.By The Progress Network with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas

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S2. Ep. 12: Facing America's Biggest Challenges with Victoria Pratt & Lauren Leader 1:09:22

11M ago1:09:22

1:09:22

After a string of heartbreaking news in the United States, are we doomed to fear, anger, and a descent into gridlocked politics? Today, Judge Victoria Pratt, an advocate for reforming the criminal justice system, and Lauren Leader, the cofounder and CEO of All In Together, discuss America's biggest challenges and how each have enacted change in lar…

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S2. Ep. 11: The Interfaith Imperative with Eboo Patel 1:06:16

11M ago1:06:16

1:06:16

How can we live with people who are different from us? Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith America and former faith adviser to President Barack Obama, believes that interfaith living is essential to our collective well-being in an ethnically, racially, and ideologically diverse democracy. And in the United States, we actually do it quit…

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S2. Ep. 10: Wisdom for Smart Tech with Ayesha Khanna 1:08:48

12M ago1:08:48

1:08:48

Web3 is seen by many as the future of the internet. Others understand the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) as the first step to a robot takeover. Where's the balance between these two reactions? This week, AI expert, CEO of ADDO AI, and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Media, Entertainment, and Culture Ayesha Khan…

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S2. Ep. 9: Race in America, 2 Years After George Floyd with Theodore R. Johnson 1:02:01

12M ago1:02:01

1:02:01

How do we grapple with the most challenging issues surrounding race, political division, equality, and more? Theodore R. Johnson, author, senior fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, and retired commander in the US Navy, joins us to make a compelling case for a national solidarity necessary to mitigate racism and fulfill th…

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S2. Ep. 8: The Philanthropic Moment with Rachel Pritzker and David Callahan 1:13:16

12M ago1:13:16

1:13:16

Is philanthropy helpful? Looking at the giving data during the pandemic as well as the billionaire class philanthropy trends and small-dollar individual political donations, what are the pros and cons of philanthropy? Joining us in this conversation are Rachel Pritzker, founder and president of the Pritzker Innovation Fund, and David Callahan, foun…

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S2. Ep. 7: Global Trade: The Race to the Top with Gregg Easterbrook 1:03:18

1y ago1:03:18

1:03:18

Are we in an unprecedented era of military peace on the seas? Gregg Easterbrook, a prolific author and a writer and editor at The Atlantic for over 40 years, shares how the Navy, innovation, space travel, and prosperity go hand in hand. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.…

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S2. Ep. 6: Pandemic "Retrospective" with Nicholas Christakis and Ezekiel Emanuel 1:09:42

1y ago1:09:42

1:09:42

Are we moving "out of the pandemic phase" of COVID-19? Today we talk with the Director of the Human Nature Lab at Yale University, Nicholas Christakis, and Special Advisor to the Director General of the World Health Organization, Ezekiel Emanuel, about what we've learned over the past two years and where we can go from here. What Could Go Right? is…

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S2. Ep. 5: The Information Horizon with Tyler Cowen 1:04:39

1y ago1:04:39

1:04:39

What's coming next? We sit down with a modern renaissance man, economist, and podcaster Tyler Cowen to participate in what he calls his greatest pleasure: information extraction. We pick his brain on everything from mRNA to housing bubbles to literature. "The world," he tells us, "has never been more optimistic than it is now." What Could Go Right?…

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S2. Ep. 4: The World Post-Putin with Anne-Marie Slaughter 1:08:50

1y ago1:08:50

1:08:50

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been framed as a global inflection point. It may or may not be in actuality, but it is certainly a moment that challenges our assumptions of how we view the current world order and opens questions about what the next one would best look like. Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of New America and a Professor Emerita of Pol…

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S2. Ep. 3: The Happiness Rebellion with Arthur C. Brooks 1:06:06

1y ago1:06:06

1:06:06

What is happiness, and why does it feel so difficult to find? The path to purpose, meaning, love, and contentment is actually no mystery, says Harvard University social scientist Arthur C. Brooks. He shares the research for how to invest in a thriving “happiness 401k.” What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.…

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S2. Ep. 2: Does Work Work Anymore? with Roy Bahat 1:08:42

1y ago1:08:42

1:08:42

Work ain’t what it used to be—just ask the millions of Americans who are part of the “Great Resignation.” Venture capitalist and head of Bloomberg Beta, Roy Bahat, is looking to shape work for the better, from new forms of labor organizing to remote-friendly tech. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.…

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What Could Go Right?

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S2. Ep. 1: The Progress Movement with Jason Crawford 52:01

1y ago52:01

52:01

Is progress still possible? We believe so, and we're not alone. Jason Crawford, founder of The Roots of Progress, sits down with us to talk about the possibilities of the future and makes a case for optimism in the face of pessimistic predictions about tomorrow. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.…

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What Could Go Right?

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"What Could Go Right?" Season 2 2:08

1y ago2:08

2:08

Season 2 of "What Could Go Right?" returns on March 30, 2022, continuing to examine the world and ask about the role of optimism vs. pessimism, hope vs. fear, and progress vs. regress. Each week we're joined by contributors from diverse fields of business, tech, journalism, politics, and more—all united in their conviction that humanity's ingenuity…

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What Could Go Right?

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The Plague Cycle (Bonus) 42:52

1y ago42:52

42:52

It might seem counterintuitive to ask in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, but is humanity winning the fight against infectious disease? Charles Kenny, Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Development, says we are. But we must continue availing ourselves of the solutions that have led to this progress if that answer is to stay. In this intervi…

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Bridging Our Divides (Bonus) 1:05:36

1y ago1:05:36

1:05:36

The United States is a country divided, characterized by collapsing levels of trust in our institutions, in our politics, and in each other. How did we get into this mess, and how do we get out? Join The Progress Network for a conversation with TPN Members David Brooks and Theodore R. Johnson, hosted by our founder, Zachary Karabell, centered aroun…

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What Could Go Right?

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The Population Explosion (Bonus) 46:30

1y ago46:30

46:30

Are we on the brink of a population explosion with untold global consequences? On the contrary, a growing number of experts argue that we are headed for a worldwide decline. Hear from Empty Planet authors John Ibbitson and Darrell Bricker on how this could bring with it many benefits as well as surprising disruptions. This recording was first relea…

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Our Lonely Century (Bonus) 43:20

1+ y ago43:20

43:20

What do university students in Britain and Trump voters in the United States have in common? They're lonely. In fact, Noreena Hertz says, loneliness is the defining feature of this century, thanks to a host of drivers ranging from the technological to the economic. The Progress Network founder Zachary Karabell joins Noreena, an economist and author…

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We Are the Outrage Machine (Bonus) 36:08

1+ y ago36:08

36:08

It's no secret that social media is politically divisive. What we may not be as aware of is how our own behavior feeds into a positive feedback loop that leaves both sides progressively more outraged and more extreme in their beliefs. What should we be aware of before we like, share, and react to politically inflammatory content online? What techni…

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The Crypto Dream (Bonus) 45:41

1+ y ago45:41

45:41

What are we to make of the social and financial phenomenon of cryptocurrency? Will it spell the democratization of money free from government control, or is it simply a bubble that is going to pop? The Progress Network founder Zachary Karabell sits down with Wences Casares, a technology entrepreneur and one of the early advocates of Bitcoin, who be…

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