Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

This year's Travers Conference will focus on Parties and Partisanship in the Era of Twitter and Trump. Join in an exploration of how social media and societal trends have challenged the power of American political parties and reshaped the nature of the Americans’ partisan attachments. The 2018 Travers Conference will bring together academics, journalists and political practitioners to assess the current state of voter partisanship and political party organizations. One particular focus will be examining the role that social media plays in potentially transforming the functioning of these longstanding features of American politics. Partisanship Out of Control? This panel will consider the current nature of voter partisanship, and how it has evolved over time. It will address a series of questions: Has partisanship become a more salient and all-consuming identity to Americans in recent years? Is it increasingly fueled by dislike for the opposing party? What does this all mean for the role of political independents? Parties Losing Control? This panel will examine the difficulties faced by modern political party organizations in performing key functions. The 2016 presidential election suggests that both parties are finding it more challenging to control nomination battles and settle on nominees that are palatable to broad sections of the party. Party leaders in Congress have also encountered difficulty in controlling factions within their parties and governing effectively. What does it mean for our politics to have parties that are deeply polarized yet seemingly unable to control their own decision-making processes? Social Media in Control? This panel will consider the rise of social media and its influence on politics. It will address the extent to which social media provides users with biased information and insulates them in partisan “information bubbles” that make the vulnerable to “fake news.” Can and should this be combatted by the companies themselves or by governmental regulation? What effect does this channel of communication have on the nature of partisanship, and the ability of parties to perform basic organizational functions? Hosted by the Charles and Louise Travers Department of Political Science, UC Berkeley, in cooperation with The Commonwealth Club of California.

This year's Travers Conference will focus on Parties and Partisanship in the Era of Twitter and Trump. Join in an exploration of how social media and societal trends have challenged the power of American political parties and reshaped the nature of the Americans’ partisan attachments. The 2018 Travers Conference will bring together academics, journalists and political practitioners to assess the current state of voter partisanship and political party organizations. One particular focus will be examining the role that social media plays in potentially transforming the functioning of these longstanding features of American politics. Partisanship Out of Control? This panel will consider the current nature of voter partisanship, and how it has evolved over time. It will address a series of questions: Has partisanship become a more salient and all-consuming identity to Americans in recent years? Is it increasingly fueled by dislike for the opposing party? What does this all mean for the role of political independents? Parties Losing Control? This panel will examine the difficulties faced by modern political party organizations in performing key functions. The 2016 presidential election suggests that both parties are finding it more challenging to control nomination battles and settle on nominees that are palatable to broad sections of the party. Party leaders in Congress have also encountered difficulty in controlling factions within their parties and governing effectively. What does it mean for our politics to have parties that are deeply polarized yet seemingly unable to control their own decision-making processes? Social Media in Control? This panel will consider the rise of social media and its influence on politics. It will address the extent to which social media provides users with biased information and insulates them in partisan “information bubbles” that make the vulnerable to “fake news.” Can and should this be combatted by the companies themselves or by governmental regulation? What effect does this channel of communication have on the nature of partisanship, and the ability of parties to perform basic organizational functions? Hosted by the Charles and Louise Travers Department of Political Science, UC Berkeley, in cooperation with The Commonwealth Club of California.

This year's Travers Conference will focus on Parties and Partisanship in the Era of Twitter and Trump. Join in an exploration of how social media and societal trends have challenged the power of American political parties and reshaped the nature of the Americans’ partisan attachments. The 2018 Travers Conference will bring together academics, journalists and political practitioners to assess the current state of voter partisanship and political party organizations. One particular focus will be examining the role that social media plays in potentially transforming the functioning of these longstanding features of American politics. Partisanship Out of Control? This panel will consider the current nature of voter partisanship, and how it has evolved over time. It will address a series of questions: Has partisanship become a more salient and all-consuming identity to Americans in recent years? Is it increasingly fueled by dislike for the opposing party? What does this all mean for the role of political independents? Parties Losing Control? This panel will examine the difficulties faced by modern political party organizations in performing key functions. The 2016 presidential election suggests that both parties are finding it more challenging to control nomination battles and settle on nominees that are palatable to broad sections of the party. Party leaders in Congress have also encountered difficulty in controlling factions within their parties and governing effectively. What does it mean for our politics to have parties that are deeply polarized yet seemingly unable to control their own decision-making processes? Social Media in Control? This panel will consider the rise of social media and its influence on politics. It will address the extent to which social media provides users with biased information and insulates them in partisan “information bubbles” that make the vulnerable to “fake news.” Can and should this be combatted by the companies themselves or by governmental regulation? What effect does this channel of communication have on the nature of partisanship, and the ability of parties to perform basic organizational functions? Hosted by the Charles and Louise Travers Department of Political Science, UC Berkeley, in cooperation with The Commonwealth Club of California.

In 1968, the best-seller “The Population Bomb,” written by Paul and Anne Ehrlich (but credited solely to Paul) warned of the perils of overpopulation: mass starvation, societal upheaval, environmental deterioration. The book was criticized at the time for painting an overly dark picture of the future. But while not all of the Ehrlich’s dire predictions have come to pass, the world’s population has doubled since then, to over seven billion, straining the planet’s resources and heating up our climate. Can the earth continue to support an ever-increasing number of humans? On its 50th anniversary, we revisit “The Population Bomb” with Paul Ehrlich.

Join us for the second in this two-part mini series, which aims to explore the experience of seriously ill and dying African Americans in our healthcare system. We will explore the important role that faith plays, as well as examine the inequities this community encounters when seeking care at the end of life. Part 2: Exploring Racial Inequities in Health Care at the End of Life How can we build trust and confidence in our healthcare system for African Americans, who have suffered from inequitable treatment, been excluded and neglected in our nation’s healthcare system? In Part Two of this series, Dr. Jessica Zitter and Pastor Corey Kennard will explore the great divide between seriously-ill African American patients and the healthcare system they come to for support. The history of racial inequity in our healthcare system has created an atmosphere of alienation and distrust on the part of African Americans. Facilitated by Cynthia Perilliat, CEO of Alameda County Care Alliance, this component of the series will acknowledge and explore those challenges and discuss strategies to bring patient, family, and healthcare team closer together. NOTES Sponsored by Glide Memorial Church

Join us for the first in this two-part mini series, which aims to explore the experience of seriously ill and dying African Americans in our healthcare system. We will explore the important role that faith plays, as well as examine the inequities this community encounters when seeking care at the end of life. PART 1 Reaching Across Traditions: Spirituality and Medicine at End of Life Is spiritual support important for hospitalized dying patients? Should doctors pray with their patients? What if the doctor is a different religion, or not religious at all? In part one of this series, we will take a look at the intersection of faith and medicine at the end of life, specifically as it plays out in communities of color. Pastor Corey Kennard, head of the congregation at Amplify Christian Church in Detroit, has spoken widely about the spiritual needs of African Americans at the end of life. Dr. Jessica Zitter, a Jewish Critical Care and Palliative Care physician at Oakland’s Highland Hospital, has spent her career caring for seriously ill patients in the inner city. Facilitated by Amy Tobin, CEO of the Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, this conversation will address the role of faith and prayer for patients with serious illness in the medical setting. NOTES Sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of the East Bay

Can we begin to reverse global warming in the next 30 years? This is the burning question of the 21st century and renowned environmentalist Hawken says yes. Hawken has launched Project Drawdown, which he calls the most comprehensive plan ever proposed to reverse global warming. This local California NGO gathered a qualified and diverse group of researchers from around the world to identify, research and model the 100 most substantive, existing solutions to address climate change, something never done before, even though climate change has been in the public and academic sphere for over 40 years. What was uncovered is a path forward that might begin to reverse global emissions within 30 years. Hawken has written eight books published in 50 countries and 28 languages including five New York Times bestsellers. He has appeared on numerous media including the "Today Show," "Talk of the Nation," "Bill Maher," and has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, The Washington Post, BusinessWeek and Esquire. His writings have appeared in the Harvard Business Review, Resurgence, New Statesman, Inc, Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor, Mother Jones, Orion and other publications. He founded Erewhon, the first natural food company in the U.S. that relied solely on sustainable agriculture, Smith & Hawken, OneSun Solar, and Project Drawdown. He has served on the board of many environmental organizations including Point Foundation (publisher of the Whole Earth Catalogs), Center for Plant Conservation, Trust for Public Land, Conservation International, and the National Audubon Society. MLF ORGANIZER NAME Elizabeth Carney NOTES MLF: Business & Leadership

From late-night TV to Lean In, America has heard Nell Scovell’s words for years, but as a writer, she’s always worked behind the scenes. Now, Scovell shines a bright light on her experiences as a writer and advocate for women in the workplace and reveals her thoughts on the ongoing cultural revolutions in Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and beyond. Scovell will be in conversation with Kara Swisher, another leader in cultural coverage and executive editor of Recode. Only the second female writer to ever work on "The Late Show with David Letterman," Scovell championed diversity and inclusion in the writers' room and beyond. She spent the earlier days of her career writing for publications such as Vanity Fair, Vogue, and Rolling Stone and working as the creator and executive producer of "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch." In 2009, amid reports of sexual harassment at "The Late Show with David Letterman," she stepped into the spotlight to speak publicly about her own experiences with discrimination and sexual favoritism. More recently, Scovell co-authored Lean In with Sheryl Sandberg, lending her sharp and witty voice to a groundbreaking story of female empowerment that has inspired millions of readers worldwide. Join Scovell as she shares her experiences and stories from her new book and opens up about her rise to the top of a highly competitive and male-dominated industry that is now under fire and facing changes. Notes: This program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation.

Whether on social media or television screens, there's increasing divisiveness, hate, vitriol, and more as people discuss their perspectives in public forums. As a progressive commentator on Fox News and CNN, Sally Kohn has earned a reputation as someone who can build bridges across party lines - but even she has her limits. Through conversations across America, the Middle East and Rwanda with scientists, white supremacists and even some of her own Twitter trolls, Kohn will help us understand how hate develops and what we can do to stop it from growing and consuming us.

Join us as we discuss the biggest, most controversial and sometimes the surprising political issues with expert commentary by panelists who are smart, are civil and have a good sense of humor. Join our panelists for informative and engaging commentary on political and other major news, audience discussion of the week’s events, and our live news quiz! And come early before the program to meet other smart and engaged individuals and discuss the news over snacks and wine at our members social (open to all attendees).