The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg

Fred Kagan, senior fellow at AEI and director of the Critical Threats Project, makes his long awaited Remnant debut in today’s delectably nerdish discussion of Ukraine and Taiwan. After kicking things off with a deep dive into the state of the war in Ukraine, Jonah and Fred explore Russia’s military disorder, the influence of Soviet history on Russia’s modern military, and the origins of Putin’s ideology (no, he doesn’t just hear voices in his head). Stay until the end to hear some thoughts on Taiwan’s importance to American interests and our position on the world stage. Hint: It’s a pretty big deal. Show Notes: - Fred’s page at AEI - AEI’s Critical Threats Project - AEI’s Coalition Defense of Taiwan - The Telegraph should really be sponsoring us at this point… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brace yourselves, it’s a long one. Due to popular demand, Jonah has—graciously—pulled Sarah out of the world of obscure legal nerdery and onto The Dispatch’s flagship podcast to discuss the famous Nazis-marching-in-Skokie case. After a period of extended throat clearing—featuring a list of proposed baby names from Sarah that may inspire calls to CPS—the two set the stage for their debate. Sarah believes that this case was one of the proudest moments in American history; Jonah is unconvinced. This episode is sponsored by our friends at The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Head to thefire.org/update and subscribe to The FIRE Update today. Show Notes -WATCH: Jonah and Sarah debate free speech - Sarah (and only Sarah’s) niche legal podcast - John Mulaney at the Salt and Pepper Diner - The Brisket’s favorite song - Sarah brings David French onto Advisory Opinions to discuss Clarence Thomas - The Skokie case - George Will: “Nazis: Outside the Constitution” (found on page 13) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah’s back from New York and ready to participate in his weekly therapy session, otherwise known as the Ruminant. After beginning with a look under the hood of the G-File, he moves on to the week’s various annoyances, kvetching about everything from the expulsions in Tennessee’s House of Representatives to the fallout from Biden’s brainless Afghanistan withdrawal. Stick around until the end to hear Jonah’s thoughts on the recent controversy surrounding Harlan Crow and Clarence Thomas. Show Notes: - Rebekah Jones claims her son is a political prisoner - The depressing reality behind his arrest - The White House’s report on the Afghanistan withdrawal - The Editors on Trump’s arraignment - The Remnant with A.B. Stoddard - ProPublica on Clarence Thomas and Harlan Crow - Wednesday’s G-File, featuring an invitation to a special live Remnant taping - Ufology on the Remnant with Jazz Shaw - One, two, three, four, five… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unable to resist the allure of rank punditry any longer, Jonah brings his trusted election sherpa, A.B. Stoddard, back to the Remnant for a journey through the depths of human depravity (or, more specifically, the burgeoning 2024 election). They kick things off with a discussion of Trump’s arraignment—and what it means for the primaries—before delving into the logistics of a Biden reelection campaign. Afterward, they touch on a variety of subjects, including the prospect of a Kamala Harris presidency, the Wisconsin Supreme Court election result, and Trump’s deadly habit of juggling chainsaws. Show Notes: - Trump’s speech at Mar-a-Lago - A.B.: “Why (and How) Biden Should Decline to Run Again” - A.B.: “Will DeSantis Rescue Republicans or Let Them Down?” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump’s indictment has left serious journalists everywhere scrambling to cover the developing story, so of course, Jonah’s response is to arrange some radical counter-programming. He’s joined today by Jazz Shaw, a Navy veteran and Hot Air’s weekend editor, for an out-of-this-world discussion of UFOs. In this eagerly anticipated follow-up to last week’s episode with Avi Loeb, Jonah and Jazz tackle all of the most pressing questions facing the ufology community. Why do pilots keep spotting UFOs? Is the government competent enough to hide big secrets? And what’s so special about cows? Show Notes: -Spacing out with the New York Times -Pentagon receives more than 350 new reports of UFO sightings -2022 Annual Report on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena -The National UFO Reporting Center -Jazz’s YouTube channel - The Remnant with Avi Loeb - Skinwalker Ranch? - Ball lightning? - The Roswell Report: Case Closed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a week spent navigating enough scheduling problems to make the Fyre Festival look like a masterclass in logistics, Jonah’s ready to relieve his frustrations with a particularly ranty Ruminant. Things get off to a fiery start thanks to a recent post from the New York Young Republican Club—whose members have apparently decided that boot-licking sycophancy is the mark of an “authentic” American. Evidently, they picked a bad week to display their clownishness so publicly, as Jonah spends nearly the entire episode tearing them to shreds. Stick around to the end to hear some brief thoughts on an especially buffoonish Ibram X. Kendi article and the potential for adding a “Corner”-style blog to The Dispatch. Show Notes: -Jonah joins Sarah and Kevin on the Dispatch Podcast -The tomfoolery of the New York Young Republican Club -Wednesday’s G-File -Ibram X. Kendi’s self-aggrandizing piece in The Atlantic -Have you heard? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles C.W. Cooke, Jonah’s go-to Remnant cheap date, makes an unplanned return to the program today due to a scheduling snafu. (No interns were harmed for their incompetence in the making of this episode.) With another tragic mass shooting in the headlines, Jonah and Charlie take the opportunity to discuss how such incidents can be deterred and whether it’s possible to stop them through legislation. In light of recent controversies, they also offer a few philosophical musings on free speech. And no, Charlie doesn’t have a cough drop lodged in his throat. Show Notes: -The Editors on the Nashville shooting -Charles: “Therefore What?” -Is the juice worth the squeeze? Episode sponsor: -The Foundation for Civil Rights and Expression... follow FIRE at: thefire.org/update Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The truth is out there, and Jonah may uncover it on today’s Remnant. To boldly go where no pundit has gone before, he’s joined by Avi Loeb—Harvard astrophysicist and author of the recent book, Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars—to discuss UFOs and our place in the universe. Together, they endeavor to answer all of the most pressing questions about alien life: How should we approach the study of interstellar objects? What role does the government play in scientific inquiry? And most importantly, when can we expect the sweet meteor of death to strike? Show Notes: -Avi’s webpage -The Galileo Project -Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars -Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth -Paper claiming ‘Oumuamua is a “water iceberg” -Avi’s response Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from the mean streets of midtown Manhattan, Jonah delivers a fiery and excessive—but mostly peaceful—Ruminant. After opening with a discussion of how—much like the government—Donald Trump will never love you back, he turns to the outrage provoked by the cancelation of a West Texas A&M drag show. From there, he gracefully dances between topics ranging from the ridiculous “cult of youth” to Ron DeSantis’ tepid approach to foreign policy, before finally settling into a deep discussion of what patriotism really means. Show Notes: - Our niche legal podcast discusses the Trump indictment… - …and so does the Dispatch Podcast - Wednesday’s LA Times column - The Skokie case - West Texas A&M president cancels a campus drag show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unprepared, scatterbrained, and guestless, Jonah returns to the AMA format on today’s program, releasing Guy, his immigrant majordomo, from the grimy basement where he normally resides to field an unusual assortment of listener questions. Things get off to an innocuous start: There’s some shameless plugging of Jonah’s books, a hefty digression into the various strands of conservatism, and a rambly assessment of the recent controversy at Stanford Law. But though the latter half of this episode features no discussion of cruises, it still offers its fair share of bizarre images, one of which may forever change Jonah and John Podhoretz’s friendship. Show Notes: - Wolfram & Hart - David Oshinsky: “Heil Woodrow” - Yuval Levin: “Redeeming the Miracle” - Sarah Isgur interrogates Jonah on Dispatch Live - The Remnant with Philip K. Howard - Skijoring Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Philip K. Howard, a prolific author and advocate for simplifying American government, joins the Remnant for the first time to discuss his new book, Not Accountable: Rethinking the Constitutionality of Public Employee Unions. The resulting conversation plays out like a Remnant greatest hits, offering insights on subjects as well-trodden as institutions, our dysfunctional parties, and the banging of spoons on high chairs. Come for some fiendishly nerdy ramblings on the nature of public sector unions, but stay for some hopeful thoughts on how America’s legal and legislative systems could be improved. Show Notes: - Philip’s website - Philip’s new book, Not Accountable: Rethinking the Constitutionality of Public Employee Unions - Philip previews the book in National Review… - …and in Reason - Rachel Maddow’s “Lean Forward” ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s Ruminant has been recorded in video form for your viewing pleasure, which raises a terrifying question: Does this spell the end for “No you won’t, this is a podcast”? In response to having been so rudely dragged into the future, Jonah delivers an outright curmudgeonly diatribe on just about every topic under the sun. From Kamala Harris saying her stage directions out loud, to the dangerous mirage of “new” ideas, no subject is safe from his ire. What’s going on with Silicon Valley Bank? What’s the difference between an explanation and an excuse? And does Jonah wear a toupee? (He does not.) Show Notes: - Kamala Harris’ Late Show Appearance - The Remnant with Paul Bloom - The Remnant with Jim Meigs - Friday’s Dispatch Podcast - The (underrated) Tyranny of Clichés Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Meigs, Manhattan Institute senior fellow and contributing editor at City Journal, makes his Remnant debut in today’s wildly wonky exploration of clean energy, tech policy, and environmentalism. He and Jonah kick things off by talking about the elephant(‘s foot) in the room––nuclear power––before seamlessly transitioning to the terrifying subject of artificial intelligence. Come for the well deserved nuclear boosterism; stay for the existential dread provoked by the idea of malevolent chatbots ruling the meatspace. Show Notes: - James’s podcast, How Do We Fix It? - James’ page at the Manhattan Institute - David Blackman: “The Death of Manchin’s Permitting Reform Effort Is A Loss For Everyone - The Remnant with Paul Bloom - The Remnant with Michael H. Parsons - James: “Elite Panic vs. the Resilient Populace” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Bloom—Jonah’s favorite psychologist and author of the new book Psych: The Story of the Human Mind—returns to the Remnant for some intensely eggheady conversation on the workings of the human brain (a three-pound wrinkly mass, as Paul puts it). The two spend the episode leapfrogging between different controversies in the field of psychology, each more complex than the last, with enough speed to make your head spin. From the nature of consciousness, to René Girard’s understanding of identity, to controversial conceptions of the mind, there’s something to delight—and confuse—everyone, least of all our future AI overlords. Show Notes: - Paul’s website - Just Babies: The Origins of Good and Evil - Psych: The Story of the Human Mind - The Remnant with Joseph Uscinski Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s dyspeptic Ruminant finds Jonah wading through the swampy wreckage of the Republican intellectual movement in an attempt to give new meaning to the phrase “crushing morosity.” From the GOP’s weakness in the face of populism to the loss of objective standards, Jonah tackles all the most important questions facing the right. Why do Fox viewers need safe spaces? What made Trump’s ineffectual trollishness so appealing to so many? And how much screaming of “I told you so” is too much? Show Notes: - Jonah: “Donald Trump’s Megaphone” - Jonah: “In a Slow-Motion Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Media Figures Embrace Trump One by One” - Jenna Ellis further beclowning herself on Twitter - Conch shells and the Fibonacci sequence or something - Jonah: “How Fox News Created a ‘Safe Space’ for Its Audience” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After therapy and court ordered anger management training, Jonah is finally prepared to have David French—newly minted New York Times columnist and noted treacherous misanthrope—back on the Remnant. What follows is an especially freewheeling conversation that begins with a deep dive into the Dominion case against Fox News, then bounces back and forth between a range of topics so controversial you’d swear Jonah wants David to get canceled. From student loans to drag queens, he could be back at The Dispatch before you know it… Show Notes: -Watch Jonah interview NYT columnist David French - David’s page at the New York Times - David’s page at the superior Dispatch - Christianity Today exposes its own scandal - David: “Why Fox Lied to the Viewers It ‘Respects’” - The Economist: “Russia’s Vaunted Second Offensive Is a Damp Squib” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Remnant regular Tevi Troy returns for some of the rankest punditry you’ll find this side of the Mississippi. It’s a freewheeling kind of episode that begins with a shameless plug for Tevi’s new leadership program, transitions into a discussion of the GOP presidential primary, and ends with a few musings on how AI could change the world of writing. Tune in also for ruminations on how politics became so childish, whether CPAC can be redeemed, and why Trump can’t find a good nickname for Ron DeSantis. Show Notes: - Tevi’s webpage - Tevi’s course: “1600 Lessons: Leadership Lessons from Our Nation’s Chief Executives” - Trump’s CPAC speech - Tevi: “How Writers Make It Work Now” -Matthew Hennessey’s Visible Hand -America is Sick of Presidents Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah’s rank wonkishness reaches a new extreme on today’s rantin’, ravin’, ramblin’ Ruminant. After beginning with a diatribe on the Dominion voting lawsuit, he redirects his ire toward cancel culture and the irritating endurance of both-sidesism. Without regard for time (or the suffering of his RA), he closes with some nerdtastic thoughts on the nature of liberalism, the irresponsibility of student loan relief, and the terrifying world of estate law. Show Notes: - Jonah: “Donald Trump’s Megaphone” - Jonah’s Goucher reunion on CNN - The “truth” about Trump’s support for cancel culture - Wednesday’s G-File - Justice Thomas’ dissent in Hudson v. McMillian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from Tel Aviv, author Oren Kessler joins the Remnant to discuss his new book, Palestine 1936: The Great Revolt and the Roots of the Middle East Conflict. The result is a deep dish slice of eggheady conversation, which mixes rank punditry with historical nerdery and a negligible amount of technical glitches. Things kick off with a history of the Arab-Israeli conflict from the 1930s to the present. Afterward, Jonah and Oren explore some pressing questions surrounding the conflict today. How should we regard the ongoing judicial reforms in Israel? Where does nationalism fit into Arab and Israeli intellectual history? And does Israel need to develop a written constitution? Show Notes: -Oren’s new book, Palestine 1936: The Great Revolt and the Roots of the Middle East Conflict -Oren’s webpage -Oren's book preview on Military History Now -George Antonius’ The Arab Awakening Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back from the Caribbean with a radiant glow, Jonah is joined by Stephen Eide—senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute—for an outrageously wonky discussion of homelessness in America. The two kick things off by exploring the history of transient labor and the categorical distinctions between hobos, tramps, and bums, before turning to the root causes of the growing homeless populations in big cities. They also explore the relationship between homelessness and changes to psychiatric health care, the loss of affordable housing in big cities, and the idea that homelessness is a natural outgrowth of late-stage capitalism. Show Notes: -Stephen’s page at the Manhattan Institute -Stephen’s recent book, Homelessness in America: The History and Tragedy of an Intractable Social Problem -Stephen: “Housing First’s Imperial Overreach” -Stephen: “The Adams Homeless Deluge” -Madness in the Streets: How Psychiatry and the Law Abandoned the Mentally Ill -Sebastian Junger’s Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Jonah continues his search for Spanish gold, Sarah Isgur assumes control of the Remnant once again for some predictably eclectic conversation. She’s joined by former Texas Rep. Will Hurd, who’s also a security expert and national park enthusiast. After briefly discussing the ravages of age, they turn to America’s immense beauty, the terrors of AI, the challenges of immigration reform, and everything in between. Are we in a new Cold War? Could Will be preparing for a shocking announcement? And most importantly, where in San Antonio should you get your taco fix? Show Notes: - Sign up for The Brief - Will: “Would China & Russia Attack Hawaii?” - Will’s questionable national park tier list… - The nēnē - Eric S. Raymond’s The Cathedral and the Bazaar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Jonah shirks his podcasting duties to star in a one-man production of Pirates of the Caribbean, Chris Stirewalt takes his place at the helm of the Remnant for a characteristically wonky discussion of the coming presidential primary. He’s joined by Harry Enten, senior data reporter at CNN and host of the Margins of Error podcast, for a conversation that touches on all of the most pressing questions of the day. Is the GOP unifying behind Ron DeSantis? When is the best time for a candidate to jump into the race? And should we declare Harry the chief diet soft drink expert in the United States? Show Notes: - CNN’s Margins of Error Podcast - Harry: “Why it’s better to start a presidential campaign early” - Harry: “Why Biden shouldn't dismiss his negative poll numbers” - Harry: “Why a historically small presidential primary field is possible in 2024” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Jonah prepares to drop off the grid for a week, he brings Guy, his immigrant majordomo, back on the Remnant to ask an eclectic selection of listener questions. Predictably, things start innocently enough with some hyper-rank punditry on 2024 and a brief canine update, but afterward, they quickly get weird. From talk of ChatGPT and zombies overthrowing the established world order to musings on scotch, wrestling, and pretentious foreign movies, the second half of this episode is a unique ride. By the end, Jonah’s perception of Guy may have been permanently altered. Show Notes: - Tuesday’s Ruminant - David Drucker breaks down Nikki Haley’s announcement - The Dispatch Podcast on Haley, Harris, and helium - Kurt Schlichter: “No to Nikki Harris” - The Bing chatbot’s freakouts - The Remnant with Jim Pethokoukis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back from his sojourn in the Land of Lincoln, Jonah invites Coleman Hughes–host of the Conversations with Coleman podcast–onto the Remnant for a lively discussion of race and religion (everyone’s favorite topics). What’s the relationship between authenticity and identity? Is it possible to completely root out racism in American society? And what danger does audience capture pose to responsible journalism? Show Notes: - Coleman’s webpage - Conversations with Coleman - The Panic in Needle Park - Coleman: “Actually, Color-Blindness Isn’t Racist” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stranded without a guest in beautiful Springfield, Illinois, Jonah is forced to record another Ruminant, and the result finds his mind drifting from place to place like a wayward spy balloon. After a brief foray into dirigible-based punditry, he quickly turns to protectionism and Biden’s “Buy American” mantra, providing some extended thoughts on why both are so annoying. From there, his ramblings fall into an uncontrolled tailspin, covering everything from NIMBianism to René Girard and, finally, the incomparable Cronut. Show Notes: - Real life Up - Dominic Pino: “Biden Promises to Spend Your Money Poorly” - Phil Klein: “The Story Construction Tells About America’s Economy Is Disturbing” - George McGovern: “A Politician's Dream Is a Businessman's Nightmare” - Neal Stephenson’s -The Diamond Age Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Ruminant, Jonah once again finds himself agitated by a veritable cornucopia of asininities. From the idea that every problem in San Francisco can be blamed on COVID to our embarrassing balloon response, no topic is safe from his ire. Can every problem be blamed on late-stage capitalism? What is the difference between good politics and good policy? And how should the Remnant advertise itself to the outside world? Show Notes: - The Daily’s episode on San Francisco - Anastasia Tsioulcasa: “An artist's 'Healing Project,' focused on incarceration and violence, wins $1 million” - The Commentary Podcast - What the heck is F Troop? - “It is balloon” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of 2023’s raucous State of the Union address, Jonah invites Noah Rothman back to the Remnant for some obscenely rank punditry on a host of hot topics. They begin by exploring what we should make of Biden’s speech, and whether the rowdy atmosphere that accompanied it was actually a good thing, before turning to issues foreign and domestic. How does Biden look as a 2024 candidate given his age? Does the GOP have anything to offer the electorate? Why did it take so long to pop China’s pesky balloon? And could that floating middle finger be the Sputnik moment America needs? Show Notes: - Noah’s page at Commentary - Noah’s latest book, The Rise of the New Puritans - Noah’s previous book, Unjust - Noah’s previous Remnant appearance - Kevin Williamson: “Joe Biden as Priest-King” - Jonah: “Advice for Biden: Be Like Ike” - A deflated Commentary Podcast - The Remnant with Dalibor Rohac Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AEI Senior Fellow Dalibor Rohac makes his Remnant debut in today’s outrageously wonky discussion of Eastern Europe. In light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the conversation covers America’s foreign policy debate, Germany’s continued weirdness, and the European Union’s role in modern geopolitics. Will peace require a resounding Russian defeat? Can more can be done to support Ukraine’s defense? And what will a postwar Europe look like? Show Notes: - AEI’s The Eastern Front podcast - Dr. Rohac’s page at AEI - Dr. Rohac: “Dnipro Slaughter Shows Depths of Putin’s Depravity Against Ukraine” - Dr. Rohac: “Fuss over Ukraine Tanks Shows the World Has No Substitute for America’s Defense Industry” - Dr. Rohac: “How We Get Europe to Ensure Ukraine’s Post-War Success” -The Telegraph’s Ukraine: The Latest podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Ruminant, unencumbered by any pretension to organization, Jonah waxes eloquent on everything from the spy balloon over Montana to the breakdown of organized religion. After beginning with a dive into the rhetoric surrounding the war in Ukraine, he directs his ire towards the cult of victimhood that seems to dominate public life. Stick around for a particularly eggheadish discussion on the nature of policing, American racial progress, and why individual choice matters. Show Notes: -Telegraph’s Ukraine: The Latest podcast -The Guardian: Burning of Qur’an in Stockholm funded by journalist with Kremlin ties -Jonah’s 1995 Public Interest article -James Burnham’s Suicide of the West -Jonah: “The Race to Racism” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Podhoretz makes his triumphant return to the Remnant for a characteristically freewheeling discussion covering everything from Israeli politics to the classified document scandals. Who isn’t hoarding a classified document or two nowadays? What’s going on with Israel’s judiciary? How is the GOP doing? Will Joe Biden run in 2024? And is it ever appropriate to sing the Felix the Cat theme song? Be prepared to have it lodged in your brain. Show Notes: - GLoP, the pop culture podcast America deserves - John’s author page at Commentary - FBI search of Biden’s beach house - The Felix the Cat theme song - The Remnant with A.B. Stoddard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an attempt to overcome the trauma that developed after his recent visit to Portland, Jonah invites the prolific author and journalist Nancy Rommelmann onto the Remnant for the first time to explore how the city descended into something resembling Escape from New York. They discuss when Portland’s decline began, whether it can fairly be compared to the New York of the 1970s and ‘80s, and whether these problems will be fixed anytime soon. And shockingly enough, no references to The Warriors are included. Show Notes: - Nancy’s Substack, Make More Pie - Nancy’s page at Reason - Nancy’s podcast, Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em - Jonah: “A Pox Upon Portland” - Nancy: “The Dream of the ‘90s Died in Portland” - Nancy: “Is Portland the new Neverland?” - Nancy: “A Murder in Portland” - Nancy: “You’re Not Allowed to Film” - Tom Wolfe: “The Great Relearning” - An exhibitionistic GLoP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah’s eggheadery reaches a new extreme on today’s rambly Ruminant, which may leave you dreaming of the end times. After beginning with some brief thoughts on Biden’s document escapade and when it’s appropriate for the government to declassify information, he turns to a melange of nerdishly complicated questions. Is it the end of the world as we know it? How did the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists blind us with science? Do Irving Kristol’s objections to capitalism have merit? And are Cheez-Its the ultimate snack food? Show Notes: - Jonah “moderates” the Dispatch Podcast - The Economist’s The Intelligence podcast - Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s Secrecy - The Remnant with Bruce Caldwell - Irving Kristol: “When Virtue Loses All Her Loveliness” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah makes an unexpected return to the AEI studio for another in-person Remnant, this time featuring Keith Whittington, beloved egghead and Princeton political scientist. A deep dive ensues into America’s unique preoccupation with free speech and the nature of academic freedom, which raises a number of pertinent questions. How concerned should we be about the state of free speech on college campuses? What are some common misconceptions about academic freedom? And what should we make of Ron DeSantis’ approach to these issues? Those feeling free and expressive are particularly encouraged to tune in. Show Notes: - Keith’s page at Princeton - Keith: “Hamline Takes Quashing Academic Freedom to a Whole New Level” - Keith: “Academic Freedom for Whom?” - Nathan Glazer: “What Happened at Berkeley” - From the New College of Florida to DeSantis U? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In what may be one of the most brazenly nerdy Remnant episodes ever recorded (which is really saying a lot) Duke University’s Bruce Caldwell joins the program to discuss the life and work of Friedrich Hayek. Dr. Caldwell, the pope of Hayekian geekdom, recently published the first installment of a two volume biography of the famed economist. Guided by Jonah’s gleeful prompting, he explores how Hayek rose to international prominence, what he was like as a man, and how we should view his great works today. If you woke up feeling all Austrian this morning, it’s a must listen. Show Notes: - Dr. Caldwell’s page at Duke - Dr. Caldwell’s new book, Hayek: A Life, 1899–1950 - Dr. Caldwell’s intellectual biography of Hayek, Hayek’s Challenge - Hayek: “The Intellectuals and Socialism” - Hayek: “The Use of Knowledge in Society” - Dr. Caldwell on -Political Economy with Jim Pethokoukis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s annoyingly whispered Ruminant comes to you live from Portland, where Jonah’s on a clandestine mission with his wife. Unfortunately, the city doesn’t seem to be doing so well, which prompts him to begin with a lengthy diatribe on urban decay, the crisis of homelessness in America’s cities, and what’s specifically wrong with Portland. Stick around afterward for some thoughts on Davos and the economic elite, and a rambling digression about the enduring relevance of Liberal Fascism. Show Notes: - Jonah: “One, Maybe Two, Cheers for Partisanship” - The LA Times on Portland’s homeless problem - The Remnant with Jim Pethokoukis - Philip Coupland: “H.G. Wells's 'Liberal Fascism'” - Jonah: “Bellamy’s Children” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Riedl, also known as the “balanced budget good government guy,” is back on the Remnant to answer a pertinent question: Should we believe that the GOP suddenly cares about fiscal responsibility? He and Jonah also provide some wonkified commentary on a whole host of other economic issues. What’s to be done about the national debt? How should conservatives approach the IRS? And is it possible to reform the tax system? Show Notes: - Jonah: “The GOP’s Spending Fight Is More About Fighting Than Spending” - Brian Riedl: “How Republicans Can Get Serious on Spending” - The Remnant with A.B. Stoddard - Byron Donalds spars with Joy Reid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Remnant gets back to basics today, as A.B. Stoddard returns to the show for some deeply rank punditry on (what else?) the dysfunctional state of our parties and the prospect of a second term for Biden. With insurgents rising among both Republicans and Democrats, how long will it take for the parties to get healthy again? For that matter, how concerned should Democrats be about the loss of black and Hispanic voters? Will the GOP actually raise the debt limit? And is there any way of excusing Biden’s document blunder? Show Notes: - A.B.’s page at RealClearPolitics - Jonah: “GOP’s deficit reduction is a cynical performative gesture” - A.B.: “Kevin McCarthy Is Already a Gift to Democrats” - Jonah: “McCarthy’s Misery” - A.B.: “Yes, He Will Burn It All Down” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s Ruminant, a self-described “rambling, weird, incoherent hot mess,” can perhaps be taken as a reflection of Jonah’s addled brain. With his wife and daughter on a road trip, his mind has regressed into bachelor mode, and he’s begun to subsist on chicken eaten over the kitchen sink. Thankfully, he still has opinions on the biggest stories of the day, including the Biden administration’s potential ban of gas stoves, how Biden’s classified document scandal compares with Trump’s, and technological developments that could counteract climate change. Come for the punditry, but stay for the strange digression about the mating habits of deer. Show Notes: - The Dispatch breaks down the battle over gas stoves - NPR: “We need to talk about your gas stove, your health and climate change” - Jonah: “The Hypocritic Oath” - The Dispatch Podcast on Biden’s classified document scandal - Wall Street Journal: “Climate Startup Removes Carbon From Open Air in Industry First” - The Remnant with Jim Pethokoukis - Jonah: “Two Cheers for Techno-Marxism” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cass Sunstein, the Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard and Jonah’s fellow disciple of the dingo, makes an overdue return to the Remnant to discuss his recent book, Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment. Noise, the book argues, is a deadly flaw in human judgment that clouds many of our decisions and produces errors in fields such as medicine, law, and public health. Dr. Sunstein and Jonah examine how noise should be defined, what separates it from bias, and what we can do to fight it. They also explore whether the phenomenon varies across the world, and how terrifying changes in AI and algorithms may affect it. Show Notes: - Dr. Sunstein’s recent book, Noise - Dr. Sunstein’s other recent book, Sludge - Dr. Sunstein: “Governing by Algorithm? No Noise and (Potentially) Less Bias” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For no particular reason, the Remnant returns to an in-person format today, as Jonah drops by the AEI offices to chat about what the future holds for humans and technology with James “Jimmy P” Pethokoukis. Together, they explore why we still haven’t achieved some of the major advancements that wonks were predicting in the ‘70s, occasionally stopping to ponder the merits of popular sci-fi television shows. AI, fusion power, and space elevators are all discussed, but by the end of it all, an important question still hasn’t received enough attention: Will highly intelligent, taxi-driving super-apes eventually overthrow mankind? Show Notes: - Jim’s Substack, Faster, Please! - Ezra Klein: “The Dystopia We Fear Is Keeping Us From the Utopia We Deserve” - Jim: “Who taught us to fear Dystopia? Who taught us we didn't deserve Utopia?” - Jim: “Paul Ehrlich interview on '60 Minutes' shows the need to finally defeat degrowth environmentalism” - Our World in Data - Jonah’s review of The Reactionary Mind - Alvin Toffler’s Future Shock - Arthur C. Clarke’s Profiles of the Future - Scientific American: “Space Elevators Are Less Sci-Fi Than You Think” - Jonah: “Two Cheers for Techno-Marxism” - Jim: “Billionaires, space, and the Blade Runner Fallacy” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah’s in especially ranty form on today’s Ruminant as he explores the continuing war over the House speakership and where most commentators are going wrong in their analysis of it. He also examines the broader prevalence of annoying misconceptions about Congress, what media bias really looks like, and how conservatism should be measured. Plus, tune in for discussion of a controversial Daily Beast story, the Damar Hamlin incident, and the political proclivities of big corporations. Show Notes: - Wednesday’s (members only) “news”letter - Jonah: “McCarthy’s Misery” - The Daily Beast's Matt Schlapp story - Joshua Green: “Can Ron DeSantis replace Donald Trump as the Face of the GOP?” - Philip Bump: “Can Ron DeSantis Ride an Anti-Business Message to the White House?” - Tim Carney’s - The Big Ripoff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In what is sure to be the first of many appearances in 2023, Chris Stirewalt joins the Remnant to discuss the ongoing debacle that is Kevin McCarthy’s bid for House speaker. He and Jonah explore what McCarthy’s opponents hope to gain, whether it’s true that opposing him makes you more conservative, and why all of this actually may not matter very much. They also touch on whether wokeism has passed its peak, why scripted comedy is in such a strange position, and what’s irritating about generational generalizations. Plus, tune in for a few obligatory shots at the New York Times’ newest columnist. Show Notes: - The Remnant with Megan McCardle - Chris: “The Agonizingly Low Stakes of Today’s Vote for House Speaker” - This week’s Dispatch Live - Josh Kraushaar: “The Return of the Moral Majority” - David Halberstram’s - The Coldest Winter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Remnant kicks off 2023 in appropriately rank fashion today, as Megan McArdle returns to the program for some eggheady musings on what the new year could bring for our legislative branch, parties, and broader political culture. She and Jonah begin by examining the state of Congress and what we can do to fix it, before turning to some pressing questions. Will cryptocurrency conquer the world? How does transparency harm institutions? And will the Republican Party start inching back toward sanity anytime soon? Show Notes: - Megan’s page at the Washington Post - Jonah: “So Congress is a mess. It’s supposed to be messy” - The Economist: “How Is Ukraine Using Crypto to Fund the War?” - Matt Levine: “The Crypto Story” - The Remnant with Russ Roberts - Jonah: “The Worst Fang Club” - The Remnant with Yuval Levin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah brings 2022 to a close in typically freewheeling fashion on today’s Ruminant, which aims to provide a minimal amount of crushing morosity. He kicks things off by exploring the Southwest Airlines meltdown and why airline disasters are uniquely infuriating, before turning to the inefficiency of big government, how pandemics and other crises can affect economies, and what can go wrong when we mix up our gemeinschafts. Plus, stick around for a discussion of how fusion power could solve our environmental problems, some obligatory Marx bashing, and a few words about the state of The Dispatch. Happy New Year! Show Notes: - Ezekiel Emanuel: “Covid Isn’t the Only Reason Children’s Vaccination Rates Are Falling” - The Remnant with Scott Lincicome - The Economist: “The great inflation of the 1500s is echoing eerily today” - Jerry Muller’s The Mind and the Market - Wednesday’s “news”letter - David Bahnsen: “Put Not Your Trust in Princes” - Jim Pethokoukis on the state of nuclear fusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As 2022 winds down, Kevin Williamson returns to the Remnant for some wide-ranging sociopolitical nerdery. He and Jonah explore what characterizes effective social policy, why it pays to be skeptical of new ideas, and what makes no sense about the American tax system. They also provide a modicum of more lighthearted punditry on the George Santos debacle and indulge in a lengthy discussion of the gun debate. Tune in for explanation, but stick around for obfuscation. Show Notes: - Kevin’s page at The Dispatch - Kevin: “A Guide to Guns” - Nick Catoggio: “The Talented Mr. Santos” - Jonah: “Something Short of Tragic” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Christmas Eve, and what’s more germane to the holiday season than some lengthy rambling about authoritarianism? Of course, today’s Ruminant is a little more nuanced than that. It also digs into how political states emerge in the first place, why Russia is becoming a “really crappy” country, and how to distinguish between valid criticism of American foreign policy toward Ukraine and toadying to Vladimir Putin. On the lighter side, Jonah also answers a few questions that arose after the week’s earlier episode with the Fair Jessica. We wish you all a wonderful holiday! Show Notes: - The Fair Jessica’s Remnant return - Zelensky’s speech to Congress - Julia Davis’ Russian Media Monitor - Jonah: “Authoritarianism’s Bad Year” - Francis Fukuyama’s The Origins of Political Order - How Putin’s war became a catastrophe for Russia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Remnant, Jonah’s esteemed wife and bear skeptic, Jessica Gavora (aka the Fair Jessica), makes her highly anticipated return. The two JGs explore some more nerdish topics than last time, including what it takes to be a successful ghostwriter, how the right changed during the Trump years, and what it’s like writing speeches for prominent politicians. They also touch on a few personal subjects, including memories of Jonah’s mom, the recent trip to Istanbul, and Jessica’s current book project (she needs your help!). Plus, stick around until the end to hear Jessica make her best case against human-bear interaction. Show Notes: - The Fair Jessica’s first Remnant appearance - Betsy DeVos’ Hostages No More - Hugh Hewitt: “The ‘Agnew Option’ could be a way out for Trump — and America” - The Fair Jessica’s Tilting the Playing Field: Schools, Sports, Sex and Title IX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During his wild European vacation last week, Jonah didn’t follow the news too closely. To catch himself up, he invites The Dispatch’s own Andrew Egger back to the Remnant for some intensely rank punditry. Together, they explore the biggest and strangest stories currently unfolding in politics, including Kevin McCarthy’s bid for House speaker, Ron DeSantis’ attack on vaccines, and Donald Trump’s criminal referral. Plus, they offer some musings on the 2024 election and the horrors of Trump trading cards. Show Notes: - Andrew: “Trump 2024’s Terrible Start” - Andrew: “Ron DeSantis Gambles on Vaccine Grievance” - The Morning Dispatch: “The January 6th Committee’s Last Hurrah” - Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene go to war - Trump NFTs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Jonah off on a clandestine mission to Turkey, Chris Stirewalt takes his place in the Remnant captain’s chair for a wonktastic dive into American demography. His guest is Dr. Richard Alba, a sociologist and the author of The Great Demographic Illusion: Majority, Minority, and the Expanding American Mainstream, which explores America’s changing racial makeup and the increasing prevalence of Americans born from mixed families. Their discussion touches on a number of pressing questions. Can we rely on Census data? What does assimilation mean in America today? And how can we create more opportunities for young Americans to move into? Show Notes: - Dr. Alba’s page at CUNY - Dr. Alba’s The Great Demographic Illusion - Chris: “America’s No-Majority Future Is Going to be Delicious” - Dr. Alba: “The Truth About White America” - Dr. Alba: “The Myth of a Majority-Minority America” - The Remnant with Ruy Teixeira Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dedicated Remnant listeners may recall that in 2019, Jonah stopped by the headquarters of the Illinois Policy Institute to record a special, Chicago-centric episode. On his recent voyage to the Windy City, Jonah returned to the institute to record a follow-up with its president, Matt Paprocki. Together, they discuss the challenges facing Chicago, how conservatives can win Illinois, and what policies should be pursued to lift people out of poverty. Tune in for the wonkery, but stick around to find out how many obscure nicknames for Chicago are lodged in Jonah’s brain. Show Notes: - The Illinois Policy Institute - Matt’s page at IPI - Matt’s Substack - Michael Madigan’s scandals - The Remnant with Arthur Brooks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices