The Reason Roundtable

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman question new opposing decisions from federal judges regarding the abortion pill mifepristone and take up the recent expulsion of two Democrats from the Tennessee state Legislature over their roles in a gun control protest.

2:13: New rulings on abortion pill mifepristone

22:07: Tennessee House expels two Democratic lawmakers

35:03: Weekly Listener Question

45:41: Lightning Round: The Trump indictment, continued

52:40: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Dueling Decisions Leave Abortion Pill's Fate Uncertain," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"The Abortion Debate Is Messy. Two Lawsuits Against the FDA May Make It Worse." by J.D. Tuccille

"What 'Freedom' Means to Ron DeSantis," by Eric Boehm

"Recent Supreme Court Decisions and Equality," by Eugene Volokh

"Idaho Takes Aim at Interstate Travel for Abortion. Health Care Providers Are Suing." by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Blue-State AGs Have A Mifepristone Lawsuit of Their Own," by Jonathan H. Adler

"In Defense of Roe," by Nick Gillespie and Regan Taylor

"Get Ready for the Post-Roe Sex Police!" by Nick Gillespie

"Do 'More Guns Lead To More Deaths'? by Nick Gillespie

"How To Create a Gun-Free America in 5 Easy Steps," Austin Bragg

"3 Reasons Not To Sweat The Citizens United Ruling," by Meredith Bragg and Nick Gillespie

"The Radical Freedom of Dungeons and Dragons," by C.J. Ciaramella

Send your questions to [email protected]. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Left-wing megadonors are shoveling money into pet projects that don't reflect American values. What's more, lawmakers continue to push bloated, big-government policies—like so-called student loan cancellation—and other programs that will inevitably raise prices and fail to reach the people they are meant to help. All isn't lost, though. You can help turn the tide with a charitable giving account at DonorsTrust. DonorsTrust is a refuge from the storm of harmful, progressive philanthropy and big-government wheeling and dealing that's hurting our institutions and, more importantly, our loved ones. So, take cover and let my friends at DonorsTrust help you maximize your giving while minimizing your tax liability. Whether it's defending speech; empowering entrepreneurs to offer educational alternatives; or fighting green-energy extremists that want to consolidate power and raise prices on individuals and families, DonorsTrust is the charitable giving account provider for you. Visit www.donorstrust.org/reason to learn more about how DonorsTrust can minimize your tax liability and maximize your giving.

Audio production by Ian Keyser;

assistant production by Hunt Beaty.

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Abortion, Guns, Trump, and the New Era of Shout-Down Politics appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman anticipate the historic arraignment on criminal charges of former President Donald Trump this week in New York City, before turning back to the unfolding discussion surrounding potential risks posed by artificial intelligence.

1:07: Former President Donald Trump awaits arraignment on criminal charges.

19:16: Do A.I. systems pose serious risks to humanity and society?

38:48: Weekly Listener Question

43:45: Terrible things about the proposed RESTRICT Act

49:59: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"The Shaky New York Case Against Trump Reeks of Desperation To Punish a Reviled Political Opponent," by Jacob Sullum

"Trump Indictment Could Be the Jolt His Flailing 2024 Campaign Needs," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Is the Manhattan D.A. Upholding or Flouting the Rule of Law by Prosecuting Trump?" by Jacob Sullum

"Transforming Stormy Daniels' Hush Payment Into a Felony Would Reinforce Trump's 'Witch Hunt' Complaint," by Jacob Sullum

"Elon Musk, Andrew Yang, and Steve Wozniak Propose an A.I. 'Pause.' It's a Bad Idea and Won't Work Anyway." by Ronald Bailey

"Debate: Artificial Intelligence Should Be Regulated," by Ronald Bailey and Robin Hanson

"What Are the Bots Doing to Art?" by Crispin Sartwell

"Introducing AI Progress," by Matthew Mittelsteadt and Brent Skorup

"Mark P. Mills: Get Ready for the Roaring 2020s!" by Nick Gillespie

"Rand Paul Is Right: Banning TikTok Would Be Idiotic," by Robby Soave and John Osterhoudt

"Could the RESTRICT Act Criminalize the Use of VPNs?" by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Nobel Prize–Winning Economist: Democrats Are Committed 'To Spending Other People's Money,'" by Nick Gillespie and Justin Zuckerman

Send your questions to [email protected]. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Andrew Heaton is one of the funny people in Reason TV videos, like "Star Trek: The Libertarian Edition," or "Star Wars Libertarian Special." So it won't surprise you to discover he hosts a science fiction podcast: Alienating the Audience. Alienating the Audience does deep dives into science fiction, like Robert Heinlein's free love libertarianism, the economics of Dune, Kurt Vonnegut and the warfare state, and how Star Wars: Andor loves public choice theory. Guests on the show have included Peter Boghossian on what first contact with aliens would be like, Jonathan Last from The Bulwark defending the Empire in Star Wars, Tim Sandefur of Goldwater Institute on Star Trek's Cold War hot takes, and even Katherine Mangu-Ward has joined to discuss the work of Dan Simmons. If you don't like science fiction, do not listen to Alienating the Audience, as there's an excellent chance your virginity will grow back. But if you DO like science fiction, and with a dollop of politics and economics, served fresh by a mid-level comedian, then check out Alienating the Audience wherever you get your podcasts.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Apocalypse Tomorrow: Trump's Looming Indictment appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and special guest Elizabeth Nolan Brown unpack the ubiquitous sense that politicians of every stripe have abandoned a commitment to free expression. They also examine the fast evolution of artificial intelligence chatbots like ChatGPT.

0:42: Politicians choose the culture war over the First Amendment

20:04: Artificial intelligence and large language model (LLM) chatbots like ChatGPT

36:13: Weekly Listener Question

44:27: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Congress Asks Is TikTok Really 'An Extension of' the Chinese Communist Party?" by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"TikTok Is Too Popular To Ban," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Utah Law Gives Parents Full Access to Teens' Social Media," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Florida's War on Drag Targets Theater's Liquor License," by Scott Shackford

"Welcoming Our New Chatbot Overlords," by Ronald Bailey

"Maybe A.I. Will Be a Threat—To Governments," by Peter Suderman

"The Luddites' Veto," by Ronald Bailey

"Artificial Intelligence Will Change Jobs—For the Better," by Jordan McGillis

"The Robot Revolution Is Here," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"The Earl Weaver Case for Rand Paul's Libertarianism," by Matt Welch

"Rand Paul Tries (Again!) To Make It Harder for Police To Take Your Stuff," by Scott Shackford

Send your questions to [email protected]. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Getting to know yourself can be a lifelong process, especially because we're always growing and changing. Therapy is all about deepening your self-awareness and understanding. Because sometimes we don't know what we want or why we react the way we do until we talk through things. BetterHelp connects you with a licensed therapist who can take you on that journey of self-discovery from wherever you are. If you're thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. It's entirely online. Designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to your schedule. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist, and switch therapists anytime for no additional charge. Discover your potential with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Now Is the Best Time To Embrace Artificial Intelligence appeared first on Reason.com.

It's a surprise bonus Thursday episode of The Reason Roundtable! Peter Suderman is in the driver's seat this time, alongside editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and special guest Robby Soave, who taped this episode live during the recent Reason Weekend in Pasadena, California. Enjoy!

1:13 - President Joe Biden and persistent inflation

14:20 - The CHIPS Act, and never-ending government subsidies

27:08 - Irrational re-editing of children's literature

38:48 - Cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Biden's 'Economic Plan' Is Industrial Policy That Will Be Terrible for Workers and Consumers" by Peter Suderman

"Inflation Isn't Going Away" by Eric Boehm

"Is Inflation Sneakily Starting To Rise Again?" by Eric Boehm

"America Needs a Better Kind of Capitalism" by Veronique De Rugy

"Politicians Use Subsidies To Squeeze Semiconductor Manufacturers" by J.D. Tucille

"Now the CHIPS Act Is Going To Subsidize Child Care Too" by Eric Boehm

"Kat Rosenfield: Why It's Important for Novelists To Speak Freely" by Nick Gillespie

"Save Roald Dahl Books From the Dreaded Sensitivity Readers" by Robby Soave

Send your questions to [email protected]. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Video edit by Adam Czarnecki

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post A Thursday Bonus Reason Roundtable! Live From Reason Weekend in California appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman consider the recent announcement from former President Donald Trump that he expects to be arrested this week in New York City.

0:32: Impending Trump indictment

17:05: The continued fallout from the banking system bailout

31:16: Weekly Listener Question

43:58: Another Twitter Files on how Stanford's Virality Project encouraged social media companies to police true information

51:57: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"New York Arrest Would Be a Gift for Trump," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Is the Manhattan D.A. Upholding or Flouting the Rule of Law by Prosecuting Trump?" by Jacob Sullum

"Transforming Stormy Daniels' Hush Payment Into a Felony Would Reinforce Trump's 'Witch Hunt' Complaint," by Jacob Sullum

"New Regulations Won't Stop the Next Bank Collapse," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"How the Fed Broke Silicon Valley Bank," by Joakim Book

"Everyone Is Learning the Wrong Lessons From the Silicon Valley Bank Collapse," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Volcker takes control," a Federal Reserve funds rate graph by Reuters graphics

"A Puzzling Bailout and A Perilous Economy," by Gerard Baker

"Researchers Pressured Twitter To Treat COVID-19 Facts as 'Misinformation'," by Christian Britschgi

"Democrats Deride the Twitter Files Reporters as 'So-Called Journalists'," by Robby Soave

"The Defiant Individualism of The Last of Us," by Peter Suderman

Send your questions to [email protected]. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Self-reliance… planning ahead… using our heads. These are just a few of the things we believe in here at The Reason Roundtable. That's why we'd like to tell you about AirMedCare Network (AMCN) membership and how it can take a financial worry off your plate. AirMedCare Network is America's largest emergency air ambulance membership network. AirMedCare Network providers operate state-of-the-art helicopters, and their specially-trained medical personnel provide the highest level of pre-hospital medical care in emergency situations. Even with insurance, these flights can be VERY expensive. But when you're an AirMedCare Network member, you won't see a bill for your flight only when flown by one of their providers. This is a financial safety net you should have. Membership is amazingly affordable: only $99 per year and just $79 for seniors. And your entire household is covered. Right now, our listeners get up to an $80 Mastercard or Amazon e-gift card when they join AMCN and use offer code: REASON. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason today.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Of Course, the Trump Indictment Is Political appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman analyze the fallout from the historic failure of Silicon Valley Bank and deride a recent congressional hearing concerning the reporting of independent journalists Matt Taibbi and Michael Shellenberger on the Twitter Files.

0:52: Silicon Valley Bank collapse

26:30: President Joe Biden's budget proposal

34:22: Weekly Listener Question

41:02: House Democrats vs. Twitter Files journalists

45:52: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"How the Fed Broke Silicon Valley Bank," by Joakim Book

"Everyone Is Learning the Wrong Lessons From the Silicon Valley Bank Collapse," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Biden's Budget Will Raise Taxes Without Addressing the Federal Government's Spending Problem," by Eric Boehm

"Democrats Deride the Twitter Files Reporters as 'So-Called Journalists'," by Robby Soave

"Twitter Files: Employees Knew the Media's Favorite Russian Bots List Was Fake," by Robby Soave

"FTC Seeks Names of All Journalists With Whom Musk Shared Twitter Documents," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Oscar-Winning Everything Everywhere All At Once Celebrates Individualism, Free Will," by Eric Boehm

Send your questions to [email protected]. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Getting to know yourself can be a lifelong process, especially because we're always growing and changing. Therapy is all about deepening your self-awareness and understanding. Because sometimes we don't know what we want, or why we react the way we do, until we talk through things. BetterHelp connects you with a licensed therapist who can take you on that journey of self-discovery from wherever you are. If you're thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. It's entirely online. Designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to your schedule. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist, and switch therapists any time for no additional charge. Discover your potential with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Yes, There Are Libertarians During Bank Runs appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman scrutinize recurrent attacks on the social media app TikTok from the federal government and reiterate the delusional nature of government subsidies on goods and services across the economy.

0:56: TikTok under attack

21:55: Government subsidies don't create affordability.

33:09: Weekly Listener Question

47:46: Former President and presidential candidate Donald Trump lists his vision for America

52:07: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"TikTok Is Not a National Security Threat," by Milton Mueller and Karim Farhat

"TikTok Admits It's as Clueless on Teens as the Rest of Us," by Bonnie Kristian

"Indiana Lawsuit Accuses TikTok of Fraud, Calls the App a 'Chinese Trojan Horse'," by Joe Lancaster

"Decades of Subsidies Have Made the Essentials of Middle-Class Life Increasingly Difficult To Afford," by Peter Suderman

"Don't Cancel Student Debt," by Emma Camp and Danielle Thompson

"Marc Andreessen: What the World Needs Most Is More Elon Musks," by Katherine Mangu-Ward and Nick Gillespie

"View Masters," by Nick Gillespie

The Political Orphanage podcast

Send your questions to [email protected]. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Self-reliance…planning ahead…using our heads. These are just a few of the things we believe in here at Reason Roundtable. That's why we'd like to tell you about AirMedCare Network membership and how it can take a financial worry off your plate. AirMedCare Network is America's largest emergency air ambulance membership network. AirMedCare Network providers operate state-of-the-art helicopters. And their specially-trained medical personnel provide the highest level of pre-hospital medical care in emergency situations. Even with insurance, these flights can be VERY expensive. But when you're an AirMedCare Network member, you won't see a bill for your flight only when flown by one of their providers. This is a financial safety net you should have. Membership is amazingly affordable: only $99 per year and just $79 for seniors. And your entire household is covered. Right now, our listeners get up to an $80 Mastercard or Amazon e-gift card when they join AMCN and use offer code: REASON. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason today.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post TikTok and How Congress Treats Americans Like 'Unruly Children' appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and special guest Emma Camp look at the Cochrane Library's new study which concluded masks had "little or no difference" on COVID-19 and ponder a new Florida bill that proposes to remove legal protections against defamation lawsuits.

0:26: The Cochrane Library's review of masking trials

19:46: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the bill to remove legal protections against defamation lawsuits

39:46: Weekly Listener Question

52:31: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Masks Make 'Little or No Difference' on COVID-19, Flu Rates: New Study," by Robby Soave

"A Scientific Review Shows the CDC Grossly Exaggerated the Evidence Supporting Mask Mandates," by Jacob Sullum

"The Real Science on Masks: They Make No Difference," by John Tierney

"The Perils of Trying To Curtail Hazily Defined 'Disinformation'," by Jacob Sullum

"U.S. State Department Funds a Disinformation Index That Warns Advertisers To Avoid Reason," by Robby Soave

"Ron DeSantis Wants To Rewrite Defamation Law," by Emma Camp

"Database Nation," by Declan McCullagh

"The Media Wildly Mischaracterized That Video of Covington Catholic Students Confronting a Native American Veteran," by Robby Soave

"In Praise of Vulgarity," Charles Paul Freund

"Both Left and Right Are Converging on Authoritarianism," by Stephanie Slade

October 2018: The Debate Issue

October 2022: The Authoritarian Convergence

August/September 2019 issue

July 2011: Criminal Injustice

Send your questions to [email protected]. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Getting to know yourself can be a lifelong process, especially because we're always growing and changing. Therapy is all about deepening your self-awareness and understanding, because sometimes we don't know what we want or why we react the way we do until we talk through things. BetterHelp connects you with a licensed therapist who can take you on that journey of self-discovery from wherever you are. If you're thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. It's entirely online. Designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to your schedule. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist, and switch therapists any time for no additional charge. Discover your potential with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Where Do We Go To Get Our Mask Apology? appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and special guest Zach Weissmueller consider President Joe Biden's surprise visit to Ukraine and the developing list of 2024 Republican presidential candidates.

0:23: Joe Biden's visit to Ukraine

17:51: Nikki Haley and the developing 2024 presidential race

34:43: Weekly Listener Question

46:28: Debt, inflation, and entitlements

55:06: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"During Surprise Trip to Kyiv, Biden Promises Endless Support for Ukraine War," by Christian Britschgi

"Should America Keep Funding Ukraine? Live With Emma Ashford, Nick Gillespie, and Zach Weissmueller," by Zach Weissmueller and Nick Gillespie

"Russia's War in Ukraine Threatens Starvation for the World's Poor," by J.D. Tuccille

"Nikki Haley's Presidential Bid Is an Unappealing Mix of MAGA and RINO," by Eric Boehm

"Despite His Record, Donald Trump Plans To Run as an Anti-War Republican," by Joe Lancaster

"Speak Loudly and Carry a Big Bat: Ron DeSantis Is on Deck," by Eric Boehm from the April 2023 issue, which is available to subscribers.

"How Should Libertarians Think About Intellectual Property?" by Nick Gillespie

"Why Copyright Law Is so Mickey Mouse—And How To Fix It: Q&A With Jerry Brito," by Joshua Swain and Nick Gillespie

"Don't Let Disney Monopolize A.I.-Generated Art," by Jon Stokes

Send your questions to [email protected]. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

Self-reliance… planning ahead… using our heads. These are just a few of the things we believe in here at The Reason Roundtable. That's why we'd like to tell you about AirMedCare Network (AMCN) membership and how it can take a financial worry off your plate. AirMedCare Network is America's largest emergency air ambulance membership network. AirMedCare Network providers operate state-of-the-art helicopters, and their specially-trained medical personnel provide the highest level of pre-hospital medical care in emergency situations. Even with insurance, these flights can be VERY expensive. But when you're an AirMedCare Network member, you won't see a bill for your flight only when flown by one of their providers. This is a financial safety net you should have. Membership is amazingly affordable: only $99 per year and just $79 for seniors. And your entire household is covered. Right now, our listeners get up to an $80 Mastercard or Amazon e-gift card when they join AMCN and use offer code: REASON. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason today.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Did Biden Just Commit America to Another Forever War in Ukraine? appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman delve into Congress' perpetual lack of interest in meaningful reforms to entitlements and discuss new data on the student exodus from public schools.

0:26: Joe Biden and entitlement spending

32:08: Weekly Listener Question

38:16: New data on school kids exiting public schools

47:54: Super Bowl lightning round

55:03: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"The State of Our Union Sucks," by Matt Welch

"Biden Promises To Let Social Security's Ship Keep Sinking," by Eric Boehm

"Joe Biden, Travel Agent in Chief," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Biden and Journalists Agree: Republicans Would Deliberately 'Crash' the Economy," by Matt Welch

"The 19 Percent Solution," by Nick Gillespie and Veronique de Rugy

"Robert Pondiscio: Why Our Kids Can't Read," by Nick Gillespie

"Winsome Earle-Sears: School Choice 'Is New Brown v. Board' Fight," by Nick Gillespie

"How Do Democrats Want To Pay for Free College, Paid Leave, Expanding Social Security?" by Zach Weissmueller and Alexis Garcia

"Social Security, Snoopy Snoopy Poop Dogg, & Alan Simpson: Ultimate Remix," by Austin Bragg and Nick Gillespie

"Actually, Magic Mike's Last Dance Is About the Awfulness of Urban Zoning Regulations," by Peter Suderman

"Ben Affleck for a Day," by Matt Welch

Send your questions to [email protected]. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Under No Circumstances Did Joe Biden Save Social Security appeared first on Reason.com.