Call It Like I See It

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana react to the FTX collapse and consider how what led to this point may have been less about crypto and currency and more about humans and currency (01:29).  The guys also to discuss this Live Nation/Ticketmaster anti-trust controversy that has apparently been brought to a head by people being upset at the failed roll out of Taylor Swift tour tickets (36:06).

Exclusive: At least $1 billion of client funds missing at failed crypto firm FTX (Reuters)

How Sam Bankman-Fried’s Crypto Empire Collapsed (NY Times)

Collapsed FTX owes nearly $3.1 billion to top 50 creditors (CNN)

Before his epic fall, Sam Bankman-Fried was hailed as a crypto genius. Some clients saw smoke and mirrors.  (NBC News)

FTX investors fear they lost everything, and wonder if there's anything they can do (NPR)

Taylor Swift’s Ticketmaster meltdown: What happened? Who’s to blame? (WaPo)

Swifties know: the Ticketmaster fiasco shows America has a monopoly problem (The Guardian)

Justice Department Opens Investigation Into Live Nation Over Monopoly Concerns (Rolling Stone)

As more states move to remove the criminal punishment exception to the prohibition of slavery, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss how economics and culture have led to this exception being exploited over the years (01:44).  The guys also take a look at the growing trend in China to use of “height boosting shots” in healthy children and consider how societies should handle voluntary and/or cosmetic procedures in children (30:35).

The ‘Exception’: Five US States to Vote on Vestige of Slavery (Bloomberg)

Four states voted to abolish slavery, but not Louisiana. Here's why (BBC)

13TH (Netflix)

Convict Leasing (Wikipedia)

Rise of growth hormone use on children in China alarms health experts (Yahoo! News)

Two Florida medical boards advance ban on gender-affirming care for minors (NBC News)
 

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the difficulty in, and importance of, distinguishing between what is real and what is not when it is known history has been hidden in the context of the antisemitic documentary promoted by Kyrie Irving, the experience of Black Americans, and human societies in general (01:59).  The guys also discuss the tendency for people to perceive themself as the same person as they were in the past even though they may have changed (48:04).

What Does Kyrie Irving See in Anti-Semitic Conspiracy Theories? (The Atlantic)

Kanye, Kyrie, and Me (Rolling Stone)

See the Enduring Power of King Tut as Never Before (Nat Geo)(Apple News Link)

You're Not the Same Person You Used to Be - Here's Why That Matters (Prevention)(Apple News Link)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the recent antisemitic comments by Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, and consider whether the way mainstream society reacted was appropriate in light of his position and his status in society (01:41).  The guys also take a look at recent research aimed at preventing AI from destroying humanity (42:04).

Adidas ends Ye deal over hate speech, costing rapper his billionaire status (Reuters)

Kanye West antisemitism controversy: What rapper said and how people have reacted (Sky News)

What Kanye West did: Antisemitic remarks, criticism and repercussions (Independent)

Kanye West may have finally reached the point of no return (WaPo)

Kyrie Irving Boosts Antisemitic Movie Peddling ‘Jewish Slave Ships’ (Rolling Stone)

Nets' Kyrie Irving defends his post about antisemitic movie (ESPN)

There’s a Damn Good Chance AI Will Destroy Humanity, Researchers Say in a New Study (Popular Mechanics)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider the premise that is argued from time to time that the mindset of, and approach taken by, some environmentalists may be counterproductive as far as doing better on the environment (01:29).  The guys also discuss the increasing pace of scientific discovery and why people’s view of modern times typically shortchanges what is coming in the future (42:22).

The energy historian who says rapid decarbonization is a fantasy (LA Times)

Not Everyone Should Have a Say (The Atlantic)

Neil deGrasse Tyson: If You Think We Live in Special Times, You’re Wrong (Popular Mechanics)

As it appears that we have seen the last January 6th hearing, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss their overall takeaways from the hearings and why the countless damming revelations seemed to have such little impact on the American public (01:16).  The guys also discuss recent research on how eating late affects your body well into the next day (43:09).

The Jan. 6 hearings are over. Time to vote. (WaPo)

Jan. 6 Committee’s fact-finding and bipartisanship will lead to an impact in coming decades, if not tomorrow (The Conversation)

Jan. 6 Hearings Have No Impact on Opinion (Monmouth University)

The Russian "Firehose of Falsehood" Propaganda Model (RAND Corporation)

The Jan. 6 Hearings Are Over For Now. Trump’s Election Fraud Claims Are Not. (538)

The number of Republicans who believe Trump’s 'big lie' has fallen since the Jan. 6 hearings (Yahoo News)

Warning to late-night snackers: Eating later than 10pm makes you store more fat and feel hungrier the following day (Daily Mail UK)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take note of how many in the US seem to take little offense to being lied to by politicians they support, consider how many in the political class have reacted to this, and discuss George Washington’s warning to the country about the dangers of political parties (01:32).  The guys also discuss OPEC’s recent cut in oil production and how this exposes a way in which our politics could harm national security (54:38).

Herschel Walker Urged Woman to Have a 2nd Abortion, She Says (NY Times)

Herschel Walker, and the GOP’s declining demand for morality in leaders (WaPo)

Herschel Walker (Wikipedia)

George Washington's Farewell Address (Wikipedia)

Russia and Saudi Arabia agree to massive cuts to oil output. Here's why it matters (NPR)

Biden says he'll release 10 million more barrels from the dwindling 'oil piggy bank' after OPEC's production cuts — but this is the big risk with more withdrawals (Yahoo! Finance)

U.S. delivers angry rebuke of massive OPEC+ production cut — and it could backfire for Saudi Arabia (CNBC)

Eugene Robinson’s “Disintegration” explores what Robinson refers to as “[t]he Splintering of Black America” that has followed integration, and James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider the background and the framework presented in the book and discuss how they see some of the concepts illustrated in different parts of American society. NOTE: This podcast contains spoilers.

Disintegration: The Splintering of Black America (Publisher's Weekly)

The Great Unraveling (NY Times)

The 'Splintering' Of America's Black Population (NPR)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the Federal Reserve’s aggression in raising interest rates over the past few months, the fallout we can expect from it, and whether such aggression makes sense under the circumstances (01:29).  The guys also weigh in on President Biden’s relaunch of the Cancer Moonshot initiative and the value of taking big swings in government  (45:52).

Fed raises rates by another three-quarters of a percentage point, pledges more hikes to fight inflation (CNBC)

Buckle up, America: The Fed plans to sharply boost unemployment (CBS News)

Stock market continues long tumble as economic outlook sours (WaPo)

The Fed Signals More Pain. Volatility Is Sticking Around Too. (Barron's)

Biden touts his 'cancer moonshot' on the anniversary of JFK's 'man on the moon' speech (NPR)

Cancer Moonshot (National Cancer Institute)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider whether the apparent trafficking of migrants from southern states to northern cities is more of a request for assistance or an effort by some to stick it to their countrymen and discuss how immigrant issues have always had a big influence on American politics (01:35).  The guys also take a look at the NBA’s report on the misdeeds of the controlling owner of the Phoenix Suns and their approach to discipline someone who is a franchise owner as opposed to an employee (46:22).

Texas sends another busload of migrants to Kamala Harris’s home (The Guardian)

Senator Ted Cruz says that transporting migrants is illegal, but commends GOP governors for it anyway (Insider)

A bus contractor hired by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to transport migrants to New York signed an agreement not talk to NY officials, complicating volunteer efforts to help: report (Yahoo News)

The Situation at the U.S.-Mexico Border Can't Be 'Solved' Without Acknowledging Its Origins (Time)

Phoenix Suns minority owner Jahm Najafi calls for Robert Sarver's resignation (ESPN)

NBA’s Discipline of Robert Sarver Is Perhaps Just the Beginning (Sports Illustrated)

LeBron James calls for Suns owner Robert Sarver's removal from NBA: 'Our league definitely got this wrong' (Yahoo Sports)