Call It Like I See It

Following reports that a Google engineer believes that Google has developed a sentient AI, James Keys, Tunde Ogunlana, and Robert Buschel (author of the novel "God's Ponzi") discuss the idea of sentience in machines and how the increasingly advancing artificial intelligence in our technology could change society for better and/or worse (01:42).  The guys also react to recent claims by some scientists that they are close to being able to de-age our bodies (45:37).

The Google engineer who thinks the company’s AI has come to life (WaPo)

The 'Benjamin Button' effect: Scientists can reverse aging in mice. The goal is to do the same for humans (CNN)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana react to the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization and discuss how the win at all costs mentality invading our judicial system can be harmful to our overall system (01:26).  The guys also take a look at BlackRock’s retreat from its past efforts to champion ESG investing (35:13).

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (pdf)(supremecourt.gov)

The Supreme Court’s Argument For Overturning Roe v. Wade (538)

AOC says Supreme Court justices who lied under oath must face consequences for 'impeachable offense' (Yahoo)

Table: Number, Ratio and Rate of Reported Induced Abortions (MI Dept. of Health & Human Services)

How Southern Baptists became pro-life (Baptist Press)

Supreme Court backs coach in praying on field after games (AP)

Supreme Court strikes down New York gun law restricting concealed carry in major Second Amendment case (CNBC)

BlackRock will not be the 'environmental police' in ethical investing U-turn (Yahoo)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at the newly launched LIV golf  tour and discuss the strong reactions many have had to it as well as how sports washing efforts like these typically work (01:20).  The guys also consider whether the commercialization of Juneteenth is something to be concerned about or the indication of a job well done, particularly in light of what the holiday signifies (33:46).

The Saudi-backed LIV Golf tees off, and the PGA Tour quickly suspends 17 players (NPR)

Saudi-backed golf tour lures PGA pros, but backlash lands them in the rough (CBC)

LIV Golf shines spotlight on 'sportswashing' – the nascent term for an age-old strategy (USA Today)

Everybody Loses in the PGA-LIV Golf Schism (The Ringer)

T-shirts? Ice cream? Retailers cash in on Juneteenth. There’s backlash (LA Times)

Juneteenth was finally recognized as a federal holiday. Then came commercialization. (NBC News)

Juneteenth isn’t just a celebration of freedom. It’s a monument to America’s failures. (Vox)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana briefly react to the initial hearings from the House select committee investigating the January 6, 2021 US Capitol attack and discuss what the way the hearings are being covered reveal about our overall news environment (01:26).  The guys also look back at the government loan that helped Telsa become the power that it is today and consider whether government is still doing its part in promoting economic and technological growth (39:33).

Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol (House.gov)

Takeaways from the prime-time January 6 committee hearing (CNN)

Fox News didn’t just ignore the Jan. 6 hearing. It did something worse. (WaPo)

Opinion | Time to Pull the Plug on Cable News (Politico)

Tesla files for 3-for-1 stock split (CNBC)

How Tesla shows Obama’s green loan program was a success (Grist)

Top 10 U.S. Government Investments in 20th Century American Competitiveness (Center for American Progress)

Seeing the recent efforts of Andy Stanley, a prominent evangelical pastor from Georgia, to get the church out of politics, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider how this mirrors the efforts of the founding fathers to keep religion separate from politics and governance and why this concept can resonate from both a political and religious perspective (01:19).  The guys also raise the alarm about the looming dead pool in Lake Mead which could result in parts of the U.S. losing access to sources of water and electricity (30:43).

The evangelical church faces a 'state of emergency' over the pandemic and politics, Andy Stanley says (CNN)

Drought-stricken US warned of looming 'dead pool' (BBC)

California threatens ‘mandatory water restrictions’ if people don’t cut back (The Guardian)

Seeing the recent run of mass shootings in the United States as unacceptable, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss how the public at large appears to be being targeted and how our society has gotten to the point where it is seemingly unable to do anything to address the problem (01:08).  The guys also react to some recent findings on how sweat works and is beneficial for our bodies (41:31).

Two shootings, 10 days apart: Texas school massacre comes on heels of racist killings in Buffalo (USAToday)

Warriors' Steve Kerr delivers emotional, passionate plea in wake of Texas elementary school shooting (CBS Sports)

Lobbying by gun rights groups hit a spending record in 2021. They outspent gun control by more than 5x (Forbes)

The GOP lawmakers who get the most cash from gun rights groups (Axios)

Everything you need to know about the assault weapons ban, in one post (WaPo)

Shape Magazine: Sweat Is Good for You. The Latest Science Explains Why (Apple News)

As explained in its subtitle, Jonathan Haidt’s 2012 book “The Righteous Mind” considers “Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion,” and James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at some of the key concepts presented in the book and discuss how they see some of them play out in our modern society. NOTE: This podcast contains spoilers.

The Righteous Mind (Penguin Random House)

With the Supreme Court reportedly poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss how the decades long effort which brought us here and consider what types of circumstances justify, and do not justify, the government dictating personal healthcare decisions (01:40).  The guys also take a look at recent research which establishes that modern humans were around much earlier than previously believed (34:35).

Supreme Court has voted to overturn abortion rights, draft opinion shows (Politico)

How the Supreme Court went from cementing abortion rights in Roe v. Wade to drafting their demise (CNBC)

Where Americans Stand On Abortion, In 5 Charts (538)

What Is Jacobson v. Massachusetts? How Supreme Court Ruled on Vaccine Mandate in 1905 (Newsweek)

Oldest remains of modern humans are much older than thought, researchers say (USA Today)

There used to be nine species of human. What happened to them? (National Post)

What if other human species hadn't died out (BBC)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider why the affinity many Americans profess for things like democracy and market economies often appears to be very conditional on the outcome being produced(01:34).  The guys also discuss the idea of toxic productivity and how the feeling that one needs to be accessible and productive may be harmful for our health (36:31).

Do Americans Still Care About Democracy? (Bloomberg)

Bellyaching and howls vs. NIL can't stop American commerce — and don't expect Congress to stop it (Yahoo! Sports)

What are the most important American values? (USAHello)

The Dangerous Trap of Toxic Productivity—and How to Break the Cycle (Real Simple) (Apple News Link)

Seeing Senator Bernie Sanders’ push to get the U.S. government to end its contracts with Amazon over the company’s labor practices, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider the boundaries of the legitimate use of government power and whether labor and unions still have a place in society (01:34).  The guys also compare Sanders’ push to Florida governor Ron Desantis’ recent move to punish Disney for speaking against a recent Florida law (25:02) and discuss the importance of action in bringing about positive change in one’s life (41:38).

Sanders calls on Biden to cut Amazon out of U.S. federal contracts (Reuters)

Amazon workers in New York City vote to unionize, a first for the company (PBS)

Amazon workers reject union bid at second Staten Island warehouse (The Guardian)

How Amazon keeps a close eye on employee activism to head off unions (CNBC)

How Amazon Crushes Unions (NY Times)

Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (Wikipedia)

GOP Governor Hutchinson Blasts DeSantis Over Disney Fight in Florida (Newsweek)

Here’s How Disney Could Block—Or Benefit From—Republicans Killing Its Special District (Forbes)

Show Up. Mood Follows Action (Pocket)