Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies are under attack by the federal government in an attempt to restore meritocracy in both the public and private sectors. There's only one problem: Meritocracy is a myth. This week, the gang discusses how the lack of a merit-based system renders policies like DEI necessary to ensure everyone is on a level playing field by circumventing our implicit biases.

 

(0:00:00) - Intro (Super Bowl halftime show, Democratic party implosion continues)

(0:24:30) - Sounds of the Week:

• UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell's pro-Hitler hot take
• UFC CEO Dana White's response to Mitchell's hot take
• Toronto Raptors fans boo U.S. national anthem

(0:40:33) - Meritocracy

 

Songs:

"Country Heroes" by Hank Williams III

"Shot You Down" by Audio Bullys and Nancy Sinatra

"One Headlight" by The Wallflowers

 

Notes:

• Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show (0:04:10) 
• Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. album wins 2018 Pulitzer Prize in music (0:07:05)
• The subversive genius of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance (0:09:40) 
• 17 Easter Eggs And Small Details From Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show (0:09:40)
• NFL will remove 'End Racism' from the end zones ahead of Super Bowl (0:12:00) 
• List of most watched television broadcasts in the United States (0:13:30) 
• Super Bowl 2025 Hits 127.7 Million Viewers, Most-Watched Ever (0:14:00)
• Democrats Have a New Leader but Haven’t Come to Grips With Failure (0:18:37)
• Democrats elect Rep. Gerry Connolly over progressive star AOC for top Oversight Committee post (0:19:03)
• Hakeem Jeffries probably needs to get out of the way, so Democrats can do something (0:19:09)
• Trump’s second term: Early ratings and expectations (0:19:45)
• FiveThirtyEight's President Donald Trump approval live poll (0:20:04)
• Politics CBS News poll — Trump has positive approval amid "energetic" opening weeks (0:20:10)
• NFL fines Will Anderson Jr. $25,000 for publicly criticizing officials (0:32:00)
• US aid freeze puts HIV treatment in Africa at risk (0:36:30)
• Africa knew Trump’s ‘America First’ pledge meant it might be last. Then came the freeze on aid (0:36:30)
• The Demise of U.S.A.I.D. and American Soft Power (0:36:53)
• Trump blames diversity hiring as probe into deadly DC plane crash begins (0:42:42) 
• Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey's lawsuit claiming Starbucks' hiring policies violate the Civil Rights Act (0:43:26)
• Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity (0:45:20)
• Secretary Hegseth's Message to the Force (0:45:40)