Free Thoughts

The Color of Law, written by Richard Rothstein, has been described as the “powerful and disturbing history” of how American governments deliberately imposed racial segregation on metropolitan areas nationwide. He helps us understand twentieth-century urban history. A history that provides insight as to why our cities are still facing residential issues today.

When the government created segregated housing systems, did they think it would persist much through the 20th century? What obstacles did blacks face in the Jim Crow era when they were buying a house?

The Color of Law, written by Richard Rothstein

The Road Not Taken, written by Stephen Menendian and Richard Rothstein

From Ferguson to Baltimore, written by Richard Rothstein

Black History and Liberty, written by Jonathan Blanks

Looking Back to Look Forward: Blacks, Liberty, and the State, written by Jonathan Blanks

Why Aren’t There More Black Libertarians?, Free Thoughts Podcast

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Patrick G. Eddington’s tenure at the CIA spanned the transition from the Cold War to the new era of American interventionism in the Persian Gulf and the Balkans. In his book, Long Strange Journey: An Intelligence Memoir, he tackles a whole slew of questions; Why was President George H.W. Bush so surprised that Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait? Did America’s intelligence community fail to warn him of the threat, or did he ignore their predictions of an invasion? Why did the CIA and the Pentagon deny so vehemently for so long that sick Desert Storm veterans were exposed to Iraq’s chemical agents?

Should we be weary of surveillance technology that our foreign intelligence uses overseas? What if that technology was used domestically? What is it like to work with America’s intelligence community? What was Gulf War syndrome? How do you become a whistleblower?

Long Strange Journey: An Intelligence Memoir, written by Patrick Eddington

The Uncounted Enemy: A Vietnam Deception

Crisis of Conscience: Whistleblowing in an Age of Fraud, written by Tom Muller

The CIA Listens to Free Thoughts, Free Thoughts Episode

The Inhumanity of Torture, Free Thoughts Episode

Deconstructing the Surveillance State, Free Thoughts Episode

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Bryan Caplan and Zach Weinersmith join the show today to talk about their non-ficton graphic novel; Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration.

American policy-makers have long been locked in a heated battle over whether, how many, and what kind of immigrants to allow to live and work in the country. Those in favor of welcoming more immigrants often cite humanitarian reasons, while those in favor of more restrictive laws argue the need to protect native citizens.

Why is immigration a horrible injustice that no one seems to be talking about? Why do we frame immigration as charity? How do you change people’s minds on immigration?

Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration, written by Bryan Caplan

The Case against Education: Why the Education System Is a Waste of Time and Money, written by Bryan Caplan

The Myth of the Rational Voter, written by Bryan Caplan

Look to Milton: Open borders and the welfare state, written by Robert Rector

You Are Now Free to Move About the Planet, Free Thoughts Podcast

The Truth About Immigration, Free Thoughts Podcast

Myths and Facts of Immigration Policy, written by Alex Nowrasteh

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Catherine Wilson teaches us that there is more to Epicureanism than eating, drinking, and being merry. Epicureanism is not an excuse for having a good time, it stresses the importance of living a good life. Epicureans maintain a philosophy that promotes reason, respect for the natural world, and respect for fellow human beings.

What is Epicureanism? Who was Epicurus? How did Epicureans become utilitarians? Is Epicureanism just utilitarianism? Was Epicurus an atheist? What is the scope of Epicurean influence?

How to be Epicurean, by Catherine Wilson

Using Epicurean Philosophy for Finding Happiness, written by Jodi Clarke

Epicureanism at the Origins of Modernity, written by Catherine Wilson

Buddhist Ethics Does Not Advocate State Action, written by Aaron Ross Powell

Stoicism, Encyclopedia of Libertarianism

Epicureanism, Encyclopedia of Libertarianism

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The cigarette is the most lethal consumer product in history, but how has smoking changed in the last 30 years? Smoking is banned from many restaurants, bars, parks, and places of work. The moral panic has ensued around smoking and the fear is only increasing. But, what if there is a better way for smokers to have what they want without burdening them with regulations?

Why did the cigarette take over the tobacco world? Should there be places that people should go to enjoy smoking tobacco together? How did second hand smoke become a property rights issue? Why is smoking so stigmatized? What is thirdhand smoke? Does anyone want a safer cigarette?

The Rediscovery of Tobacco: Smoking, Vaping, and the Creative Destruction of the Cigarette, written by Jacob Grier

King James I, A Counterblaste to Tobacco, 1604

Christopher Hitchens on Audio, Cato At Liberty

Christopher Hitchens May Be Dying Of Cancer, But He Has No Regrets About Smoking And Boozing, written by Joe Pompeo

Barbara Ehrenreich Doesn’t Have Time for Self-Care, Isaac Chotiner

Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, Free Thoughts Podcast

Is the DEA Trippin’? (with Rick Doblin), Free Thoughts Podcast

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According to Deirdre McCloskey the greatest challenges that humankind faces are tyranny and poverty. McCloskey is a firm believer that if we were to return to true liberal values it would be good for everyone. For examples of true liberal values she refers to philosophers Locke, Smith, Voltaire, and Wollstonecraft.

What is the connection between liberalism and democracy? How is liberalism non-coercive? What fights should libertarians prioritize? How can you be principled advocate for the poor? Who influenced Deirdre McCloskey?

Why Liberalism Works: How True Liberal Values Produce a Freer, More Equal, Prosperous World for All, written by Deirdre McCloskey

The magic washing machine, Hans Rossling TED Talk

Bourgeois Dignity: A Revolution in Rhetoric, written by Deirdre McCloskey

The Bourgeois Era, Free Thoughts Podcast

Liberalism 1.0, Free Thoughts Podcast

A Review of Bourgeois Equality: How Ideas, Not Capital or Institutions, Enriched the World by Deirdre McCloskey, written by David S. D’Amato

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Clay Routledge joined the show today to talk about how our society has become increasingly individualistic, and how we are still learning the consequences of that. It is human nature to look for some sort of meaning in life. We are social animals, but that isn’t what makes us particularly unique. What makes us unique is that we maintain cultures and practices that make us seem, at least in part, larger than ourselves.

Why do we search for meaning in our lives? How do we know if our life actually means something? Do people feel lonelier than the used to? Why is Western society becoming more secular?

Human Progress

Supernatural: Death, Meaning, and the Power of the Invisible World, written by Clay Routledge

Why do we feel nostalgia?, Ted-Ed Talk by Clay Routledge

The Collapse of the Local Community (with Tim Carney), Free Thoughts Podcast

Do Socialists Mean Well?, written by Grant Babcock

No Man Is an Island (Not Even Libertarians), written by Aaron Ross Powell

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David Starkey explains the origins of UK Parliament so that we can understand how it differs from the U.S. government. He claims that Parliament is not too dissimilar from Congress. However, one key difference from the system in the UK and our own is the position of Prime Minister. Unlike our President, the Prime Minister is not subject to a general election for that specific position. Towards the end of the episode they also discuss what is going on with Brexit.

What is English common law? Is English government known for being too nice? What impact did the Magna Carta have on the structure of the English government? Why doesn’t the separation of powers in government work?

David Starkey explains simple but infuriating reason behind Brexit impasse, written by Martina Bet

Dr. David Starkey - Uncut: Assaults on Brexit, British Identity & History, So What You’re Saying Is Show

Six Wives of Henry VIII, BBC Documentary

David Starkey’s Magna Carta

Magna Carta Influence in the U.S. Constitution, written by David Edwards

The Ancient Rights of Englishmen, written by David Edwards

Radical Weirdness in the English Civil Wars, podcast with Anthony Comegna and Caleb O. Brown

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After the economic disaster of the Great Leap Forward that claimed tens of millions of lives from 1958–1962, an aging Mao Zedong launched an ambitious scheme to shore up his reputation and eliminate those he viewed as a threat to his legacy. He called this The Cultural Revolution. Trevor and Aaron ask Frank Dikötter about Mao’s legacy and how he came to power, which leads to a larger discussion about the nature of dictatorships.

Where did Mao come from? What is the history of the Communist Party of China? What happened in China during the Great Leap Forward? Why does communism lead to millions of deaths? Why do dictators hate ideology? How unfree is daily life in China?

How to Be a Dictator: The Cult of Personality in the Twentieth Century, written by Frank Dikötter

Mao’s Little Red Book

The Cultural Revolution: A People’s History, 1962―1976, written by Frank Dikötter

‘The Cultural Revolution: A People’s History, 1962-1976,’ by Frank Dikotter, book review in the New York Times

China: The Annihilation of Human Rights, written by David Hart

Chinese Communism and the Economic Revolution, written by Leonard P. Liggio

Fifty Years after the Cultural Revolution, written by David Boaz

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Helena Rosenblatt and Daniel Klein debate the origins of liberalism. Rosenblatt believes that Klein misuses Adam Smith. However, there is no way to know how Adam Smith would have acted in today’s political climate.

What is liberalism? What is the political meaning of liberalism? How old is the idea of liberty? Was Edmund Burke thought of himself as a conservative? Is it a mistake to think that libertarians are part of the liberal tradition? At what point for example, does John Locke become called a liberal?

The Lost History of Liberalism, written by Helena Rosenblatt

Liberty Between the Lines in a Statist and Modernist Age, written by Daniel Klein

The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith

Was Adam Smith a Libertarian?, written by Paul Mueller

Self-Interest and Social Order in Classical Liberalism: Thomas Hobbes, written by George H. Smith

The Levelers: Libertarian Revolutionaries, written by Nicholas Elliott

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