Reporter and podcaster Derek Thompson says we’re better at recognizing problems, but our ability to solve them has not improved. How can we make sure meaningful progress occurs? In this conversation with Open to Debate guest moderator Nayeema Raza, Thompson will discuss his new book “Abundance,” rethinking yesterday’s issues to address today’s problems, and what both sides of the political aisle should learn to ensure we have a more abundant society. 

Our Guest: Derek Thompson, Staff Writer at The Atlantic; Author of the "Work in Progress" Newsletter 

Nayeema Raza, Journalist and Host of "Smart Girl Dumb Questions", is the guest moderator. 

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American women are, on average, paid 84 cents for every dollar men make, according to the Department of Labor. This wage gap has persisted despite near-record rates of women’s participation in the labor market, with wage gaps even larger for women in minority populations, and it’s estimated that pay parity will not be achieved until 2052. Should policy interventions address these disparities, or is it more important to recognize and honor women's personal decisions and find another way to look at the gap Those in favor of fixing the gap see it as a point of fairness and equity that would bring economic benefits, such as enhanced family incomes and increased productivity, and say that new policies are needed urgently to dismantle systemic barriers stopping women from earning more. Those who aren’t in favor argue wage disparities reflect individual choices regarding career paths, work-life balance, and tenure, rather than systemic discrimination. They also point out that when adjusted for factors like job type, hours worked, and career breaks, the gap significantly narrows.  

Against this backdrop, we debate the question: Should We Address the Gender Wage Gap? 

Arguing Yes: Kadie Ward, Commissioner and Chief Administrative Officer of the Pay Equity Commission of Ontario 

Arguing No:  Allison Schrager, Pension Economist, Bloomberg Opinion Contributor & Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute 

Nayeema Raza, Journalist at New York Magazine and Vox, is the guest moderator. 

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UNRWA and other peacekeeping forces in the Middle East play an important role in the Israel-Palestine conflict, but do they do enough? Those saying they help argue that they act as buffers between warring factions, preventing wider regional escalation. Those saying they hurt argue they fail to maintain neutrality. Now we debate: UN Efforts in the Middle East: Helping or Hurting? 

Arguing Helping: Richard Gowan, UN and Multilateral Diplomacy Director at the International Crisis Group 

Arguing Hurting: Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch  

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

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Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have taken on a contentious role in the new Trump administration, which has affected federal agencies and thousands of workers. But are DOGE’s actions legal? Those arguing they aren’t worry it is overstepping and violating the Constitution. Those supporting DOGE’s actions say it is operating under strict oversight while fulfilling its mandate. Now we debate: Is Musk’s DOGE Dodging the Law? 

Arguing Yes: Laurence Tribe, University Professor of Constitutional Law Emeritus at Harvard Law School 

Arguing No: Michael W. McConnell, Former Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit; Law Professor and Director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School 

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

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Are you ready to change the clock on Sunday? Is springing forward or falling back still an idea worth practicing? Those ready to end Daylight Savings argue it is inconvenient and has negative health and productivity effects. Those who want to keep Daylight Savings argue the time change’s effects are temporary and helps improve our quality of life. Now we debate: Is It Time to End Daylight Savings Time? 

Arguing Yes: Joan Costa-i-Font, Health Economist at the London School of Economics  

Arguing No: Binyamin Appelbaum, Member of the New York Times Editorial Board 

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

Note: We have employed the colloquial ‘Daylight Savings Time’ phrasing used by our debaters and moderator.

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President Trump recently enacted a ten percent additional tariff on Chinese imports, and China has enacted retaliatory tariffs in response. Those affirming the tariffs are necessary argue they will encourage citizens to buy more domestically produced products. Those against the tariffs argue they will also create a trade war, harming both economies and global supply chains. Now we debate: Was Trump Right to Increase Tariffs on Chinese Imports?

Arguing Yes:   

Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing 

Stephen Moore, Economist, Author, and Senior Fellow at the Heritage Foundation; Co-founder of Unleash Prosperity 

Arguing No:  

Jennifer Hillman, Senior Fellow for Trade and International Political Economy at the Council on Foreign Relations  

Rana Mitter, ST Lee Chair in US-Asia Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School 

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

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America is suffering from a loneliness epidemic. Some groups have suggested religious communities may be key to solving it. Could it help? Those arguing “yes” say it gives people regular social contact, support systems, and a sense of purpose that could combat isolation. Those arguing “no” say that secular options would provide better, broad-based solutions. Now we debate: Can Religion Cure the Loneliness Epidemic? 

Arguing Yes:  

Harold Koenig, Director of Duke University’s Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health  

Chris Murphy, Senator from Connecticut  

Arguing No: 

Ruth Whippman, Author of "America the Anxious: How Our Pursuit of Happiness Is Creating a Nation of Nervous Wrecks" and "BOYMOM: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity." 

Dan Barker, Co-President of the Freedom from Religion Foundation 

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

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How’s your love life? With platforms like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and OkCupid offering endless opportunities to connect, many people searching for The One think signing up for a dating app should be a go-to for finding their match. However, new research is showing some users are signing off, including ninety percent of Gen Z users. 

Those staying on the apps point to their ease of use, accessibility, and the countless success stories of happily coupled friends who met that way. 

Others say dating apps aren’t offering authentic connections. A paradox of choice has also developed, with a belief there’s always someone else who you can connect with, which has made people less satisfied with their options. 

Before we continue to swipe right, we debate the question: Is It Time to Break Up with Dating Apps? 

Arguing Yes: Maria Avgitidis, Matchmaker and CEO at Agape Match   

Arguing No: Melissa Hobley, Global Chief Marketing Officer of Tinder 

Nayeema Raza, Journalist and Host of "Smart Girl Dumb Questions", is the guest moderator. 

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In recent years, multiple proposals have been made to change how the U.S. Supreme Court operates in its current form. Would these reforms help – or hurt? What is the future of the highest court in the land? In partnership with Johns Hopkins University as part of our inaugural “Hopkins Forum”, our featured guests will discuss term limits, expanding the Supreme Court, and whether external ethics codes should be applied. 

Our Guests: 

Ambassador Jeff Flake, Former Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee  

Jamal Greene, Dwight Professor of Law at Columbia Law School; Supreme Court Commentator 

Cristina Rodríguez, Former Co-Chair of the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States; Professor at Yale Law School 

The Honorable Jeff Sessions, Former U.S. Attorney General and Senator 

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

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Sports fans can place bets on their favorite teams and athletes faster and easier than before, thanks to legalized sports gambling. But was it the wrong bet to make? Advocates say it’s been good for fans, the economy, and the sports industry.  Those who say that what’s happened since legalization is a bad thing, say it’s driven a rise in gambling addiction and created a public health crisis. Now we debate: Has Legalizing Sports Gambling Become A Bad Bet?

Arguing Yes: Harry Levant, Director of Gambling Policy at the Public Health Advocacy Institute  

Arguing No: Bill Pascrell III, Partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group 

Nayeema Raza, Journalist and Host of "Smart Girl Dumb Questions", is the guest moderator. 

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