Campaign Culture, Politics, and the News Media: Matt Taibbi Launches New Podcast on Rolling Stone
Bestselling author and Rolling Stone writer Matt Taibbi is the host of ‘Useful Idiots,’ a compelling weekly series focusing on news and politics. Useful Idiots is described as “an iconoclastic take on the political podcast.” Rather than jumping on the bandwagon of viral coverage, Matt Taibbi... Continue Reading →
Consumerism Is Not the Answer: Annie Lowrey Investigates Our Current Environmental Solutions
In an effort to “go green” many businesses have swapped plastic straws for paper ones. But is this the answer to our climate crisis? Annie Lowrey thinks not. In her latest article for The Atlantic, Lowrey shows us that paper straws aren’t worth our while, both economically and environmentally.... Continue Reading →
Why Trump’s Re-Election Campaign Appeals to Liberals: Stanford Professor Robb Willer Explains
Common wisdom would suggest that Donald Trump’s campaign is targeted towards his most ardent supporters: fellow Republicans. Yet, a new study co-authored by Stanford Sociology Professor Robb Willer and his colleague suggests the opposite is true. Liberals, not conservatives, may be most swayed by... Continue Reading →
The Legacy of Ivanka Trump: Vanessa Grigoriasdis Joins Virginia Heffernan in Conversation for Slate
In the latest episode of Trumpcast, a Slate series rounding up the latest in Donald Trump news, host Virginia Heffernan discusses the baffling first daughter with journalist and fellow Lavin speaker Vanessa Grigoriadis. Ivanka Trump is in the news nearly as often as her often as her... Continue Reading →
Why Do People Vote Against Their Own Interests? Abdul El-Sayed Explores the Rise of Donald Trump
Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and public health expert, was shocked to learn that his aunt and uncle voted for Donald Trump. Rather than argue with his relatives, El-Sayed strove to understand them. In talks, he explains how a breakdown of our shared institutions has led to increased segregation, and... Continue Reading →
Anti-Trust in the Digital Age: National Post Editor Diane Francis Assesses Silicon Valley’s Major Players
Starting with the oil industry in the 1900s, there has been a long-standing American tradition of breaking up companies with inordinate amounts of market power. Diane Francis, editor-at-large at The National Post, suggests our anti-trust infrastructure needs an update in the age of Facebook.... Continue Reading →
“Our Man”: George Packer Chronicles the Life and Career of American Diplomat Richard Holbrooke
In his latest book, award-winning journalist George Packer tells the story of controversial American diplomat Richard Holbrooke. Our Man paints a dazzling portrait of a policy giant who was brilliant, self-absorbed, and willing to do anything to fulfill his political ambition. Recently, Packer... Continue Reading →
The Five Stages of Polling: Lavin Speaker Shachi Kurl Reveals the Best Way to Read the Data
Much like grief, consuming political polling data can be interpreted through five stages, says Shachi Kurl, the Executive Director of The Angus Reid Institute. In her latest op-ed, Kurl breaks down the stages—and reveals how we can digest the data without becoming overwhelmed. According to... Continue Reading →