Words & Numbers Live is a members only series exclusive to CiVL.com in which Antony and James discuss politics, philosophy, and economics, and invite listeners for a live Q&A session. To participate, subscribe at CiVL.com, where you can see what lectures we have coming up, and access all of our Words & Numbers content.

The foundation of a healthy society, regardless of the economic or political structure is human respect. When people respect each other because we are all equal in dignity, institutions emerge that reflect and promote that respect. We believe that societies that embrace human respect will necessarily also tend toward political and economic freedom. Taken to the extreme, a society in which each person truly embraces respect for himself and for every other person may find no need for government at all.

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In this episode, we examine the complexities of opting out of social security, the implications of the US passport's changing status, and the potential consequences of AI policy shifts. We explore the historical context of economic policies, and the role of government in market distortions, comparing and contrasting the current administration’s policies with those of former administrations.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:28 Opting Out of Social Security

07:31 US Passport and International Travel

13:35 AI Policy Shifts and Implications

26:40 Historical Perspectives on Nixon’s Presidency31:09 Price Controls and Economic Impact

41:15 Trade War with China and Tariffs

44:10 Comparing Nixon’s Economy to Today’s

51:07 The Political Benefit of Higher Tax Rates and The Tax Code

53:49 Comparing Trump to Nixon, Reagan, and FDR

57:42 Lessons About Market Distortions

59:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode, we discuss the complexities of the current economic landscape, including the soaring price of gold, the dichotomy between economic and financial markets, and the impact of consumer sentiment. We explore the role of journalism in society, focusing on Bari Weiss's new position at CBS News and her principles for journalism, as well as the unhinged reactions to her new mission for the company.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:25 Gold Prices and Economic Insights

03:41 Financial Markets vs. Economic Reality

07:22 Trump’s Plan to Send Checks to All Americans

08:38 Kristi Noem’s Complaints About the “Warzone” of Chicago

12:44 Super Bowl Halftime Show

20:30 Bari Weiss Named Editor-in-chief of CBS News

22:18 Bari Weiss’ 10 Core Journalistic Values

34:52 CBS Employee Reactions

41:15 Bari Weiss and Journalism's Future

45:20 Conclusion and Reflections

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In this episode, we discuss the latest advancements in Alzheimer's research, the societal implications of Social Security, and the unexpected turns life can take. We explore the balance between freedom and responsibility, the evolving nature of folk wisdom, and the importance of resilience and courage in navigating life's challenges. We also break down the role of government in personal savings and the impact of societal norms on individual choices.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:28 Response to Our Social Security Proposal

02:16 Social Security and Personal Responsibility

12:12 Alzheimer's Research Breakthroughs

14:26 AI-generated Lawsuits for Outsourced OnlyFans Responses

20:31 Life's Unexpected Turns and Necessity of Resilience

23:44 The Virtue of Courage

24:51 Embracing Change and Personal Growth

31:19 Evolving Folk Wisdom and Societal Norms

35:00 Re-evaluating Homeownership

41:24 Conservatives, Liberals, and Societal Progress

44:49 The Golden Rule and Ethical Living

46:38 The Need to Preserve Our Nearly Just Society

49:54 The Importance of Civil Discourse

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In this episode, we discuss the implications of hope and agency through the lens of a rat experiment, the collapse and economic realities of the NFT market, and a proposed plan to reform Social Security, exploring the urgent need for a sustainable solution to its impending insolvency.

00:00 Introduction

00:27 Lessons from a Rat Experiment

06:05 The Impact of Hope on Human Agency

10:59 Cultural Shifts and Racism in America

15:20 The Rise and Fall of NFTs

20:15 Social Security: A Looming Crisis

24:22 Inequities in Social Security Returns

26:00 The Death Tax of Social Security

27:12 Proposed Changes to Social Security

33:17 Transitioning Away from Social Security

37:24 The Long-Term Financial Outlook

40:38 Political Challenges and Realities

45:07 The Inevitable Consequences of Inaction

50:21 What Should We Do?

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In this episode, we explore the complexities of the housing market, comparing the cost of housing today with that of the 1980s. We also examine the broader economic implications of these trends and the psychological perceptions of average living standards. Our main focus is how social media shapes public opinion and creates ideological echo chambers, and why it’s important to understand diverse perspectives.

00:00 Introduction

00:26 The Cost of Housing: A Historical Perspective

06:38 Analyzing Trends in Household Wealth

09:13 Is The Rapture Upon Us?

13:44 Ideological Bubbles

18:54 The Role of Social Media in Creating Echo Chambers

22:12 The Consequences of Ideological Isolation

25:13 The Financial Incentives of Echo Chambers

28:34 The Role of AI in Social Degeneration

30:30 The Uniqueness of YouTube

32:05 The Importance of Humanization in Online Spaces

34:16 The Virtue of Sympathy

36:23 How to Leave Your Echo Chamber

38:32 Conclusion

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In this episode, we examine the surprising homelessness rates in Germany and what’s being done about it, as well as the recent interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, analyzing their potential impact on inflation, consumer behavior, and the broader economy. We discuss societal perceptions of obesity, the role of government policy in shaping economic outcomes, and the challenges of balancing economic growth with social welfare. Finally, we reflect on the importance of understanding economic indicators and their real-world implications.

00:00 Introduction

00:27 Homelessness and Poverty in Germany

12:20 New Study on Obesity

18:07 Foolishness of the Week: Pam Bondi on Hate Speech

27:13 The Fed Cuts Interest Rates

33:12 The Role of the Federal Reserve

38:41 The Fed’s Inflation Problem

41:47 The Government’s Borrowing Problem

46:16 Inflation is a Tax

48:20 The Effects of Political Influence on the Fed

49:37 Long-term Economic Impacts of Inflation

52:24 New Currency and the Value of Money

57:58 The Dangers of Centralized Digital Currency

01:01:43 Our Grim Economic Predictions

01:04:45 What Should We Do?

01:09:11 Conclusion

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In this episode, we discuss the themes of justice and forgiveness, the alarming rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the absurdities of homeowners association regulations, the implications of language and identity in societal discourse, and the importance of fact-checking political statements. We explore the complexities of crime and punishment, the unintended consequences of COVID-19 on healthcare, and the challenges of accurately measuring economic indicators like inflation. We also break down the numbers of various economic indicators, including inflation trends, stock market performance, and consumer spending. We analyze the implications of tax cuts and foreign investment, while also exploring cultural perspectives on social cohesion and accountability, highlighting the complexities of economic data and the importance of accurate representation in political discourse.

00:00 Introduction

00:24 Justice vs. Forgiveness

02:41 The Role of Society in Justice

09:31 Consequences of COVID on Antibiotic Resistance

16:42 The Absurdity of HOA Regulations

23:03 England’s New Phrase for Women

26:11 The Impact of Headlines on Public Discourse

28:51 Navigating News Bias and Sources

32:01 Trump’s Skill as a Public Speaker

34:26 Fact-Checking Trump's UN Address

38:58 Understanding Economic Indicators

45:55 Analyzing the Stock Market Performance

54:49 Investment Trends Under Different Administrations

58:17 Tax Cuts and Their Impact on the Economy

01:00:02 Comparing Economic Policies: Trump vs. Reagan

01:03:26 Analyzing the U.S. Economic Landscape

01:05:39 The Importance of Accurate Economic Messaging

01:08:00 The Role of Truth in Political Discourse

01:11:32 Cultural Perspectives on Forgiveness and Accountability

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In this episode, we are joined by Clark Neily, Senior Vice President for Legal Studies at the Cato Institute, to discuss the weaponization of the Department of Justice and the broader implications of plea bargaining and charge stacking in the U.S. legal system. We dive into the erosion of jury trials, the impact of coercive plea deals, and the challenges of maintaining justice and human dignity in a system increasingly reliant on non-public procedures. We also touch on the historical context of these issues and the potential for reform.

00:00 Introduction

00:31 The Efficacy of Acupuncture for Chronic Back Pain

04:54 Charlie Kirk Memorial Service

07:59 Foolishness of the Week

10:47 Clark Neily Introduction

12:38 Trump Truth Social Post

17:23 Plea Bargaining and Charge Stacking

22:44 Weaponization of the DOJ

26:00 Public Trust in DOJ Waning

28:41 The Constitution Right to a Jury Trial

30:45 The Role of the Supreme Court

36:39 Grand Jury Indictments

41:11 What’s Next for the DOJ

45:59 Historical Context and Legal Reform

49:10 The Importance of Jury Duty

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In this episode, we discuss rising food prices, new breakthroughs in autism research, AI foolishness, and the societal and economic implications of these issues. We also celebrate Deficit Day, and dive into the issues of government spending, fiscal responsibility, and budgets. Finally, we offer a variety of solutions on how to solve the debt crisis.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:32 Rising Food Prices: Economic Impacts of Tariffs and Immigration

04:09 The Role of Labor in Society

06:02 Autism Research Breakthroughs

10:38 Foolishness of the Week: Artificial Intelligence

16:18 Deficit Day and Government Spending

23:19 Fiscal Responsibility and Government Budgets

27:10 How Can the Debt Crisis Be Solved?

32:53 The Mystery of the Budget Surplus

36:30 Taxing the Rich Isn’t the Solution

37:23 How We Lower the Deficit

41:14 Interest Rates and Inflation

44:17 Conclusion and Reflections

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