Call It Like I See It

In part one of our December 2019 roundup, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the lack of controversy surrounding Nike's release of a modesty swimwear line (1:32), the implications of Iran beginning joint naval drills with America's biggest rivals on the world stage (15:22), and Eddie Murphy's return to SNL and the fallout from that (27:40).

What was the science story of the 2010 decade (1:20)? What entertainment story defined the 2010 decade (10:09)? What was the biggest international news story in the 2010 decade (16:50)? What about the most notable trend in domestic news (27:44)? What will we remember as being significant about social media in the 2010 decade (34:50)? What technology defined the 2010s (47:49)? How about honorable mentions (57:43)? Our predictions for 2020s (1:05:40)?

Are mastery, and opportunity to obtain mastery, overlooked in understanding what makes successful people successful (1:56)? Exceptional analytical intelligence does not itself make an outlier, part 1 (9:16). Exceptional analytical intelligence does not itself make an outlier, part 2 (16:28). How can adversity and timing lead to opportunity (36:54)? How do cultural legacies influence our approach to and interaction with the world (48:11)?

Do people generally use ideological labels to describe their belief system or their club (0:49)? Is this phenomenon getting worse, or do things like social media just show what’s already there (16:25)? Is the United States particularly vulnerable to tribalism and can our system survive it (28:51)? What needs to happen to bring us together (43:09)?

What makes streaming different and what does it mean to me (0:47)? What is in it for the media companies (9:40)? What makes a streaming service worth it (15:41)? Is streaming an example of technology making things better for all stakeholders (24:39)? Are there potential problems (38:23)? Is streaming a good deal for consumers (44:10)?

Are identity politics dead or can they still serve a purpose (0:38)? Is there an obligation to support politicians that look like us, or can beliefs transcend identity (10:43)? Are Bernie’s policies viable (14:49)? Could his movement get him elected and save our economy (18:25)? What’s with the insistence on self identifying as a socialist, and will it cost him (28:34)?

Can Bernie Sanders tell you how not to get shot by the police (0:41)? Would you rather be offered honest advice or empathy, and would rather agitate the system or take control of it (3:23)? Is there room for compromise and understanding in the fight for progress (19:02)? What about introspection (27:32)?

What about our politics makes Americans hate each other (0:57)? Regardless of the reason, the extreme political polarization is serving the interests of our rivals (24:15). Fake news is driven by demand, but the ability to effectively deliver the supply has made all the difference (33:01). Be careful what you wish for asking Facebook to be the arbiter of truth for political advertisements (47:48).

Even in the face of controversy, LeBron James has never backed down when standing against injustice. Does his unwillingness to discuss the issues in Hong Kong signal a change in approach? Or does the size of the Chinese market, or its distance from the U.S., justify a different approach?  (50:01)