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The Optimists

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This week on the Ricochet Podcast, we're blinding you with science and with the prospect of a relaxing and intellectually stimulating National Review cruise. First up, it's Ricochet member extraordinaire anonymous. You many know him from his superlative Saturday Night Science series ( and hey, buy the t-shirt) and book review posts, but his expertise on topics like net neutrality, autonomous cars, and artificial intelligence are equally fascinating. Them our good pal Jack Fowler (aka National Review publisher) stops by to talk about this summer's excursion to Alaska. Many of us will be there, will you? Join us -- it's big fun.

Music from this week’s episode:

Mr. Walker by Wes Montgomery

The opening sequence for the Ricochet Podcast was composed and produced by James Lileks.

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Discussion (28)

  • James Lileks@jameslileks
    BTW, John - and thanks for some fascinating conversation; wish we'd had another hour to three - the point I was going to make after mentioning the game “Bioshock: Infinite” was the political influence of entertainment that’s indistinguishable from reality. You mentioned Grand Theft Auto as an immersive experience, but it’s not political. Just nihilistic. When you have the chance to inhabit a character and experience what the designers of the simulation want you to experience as if it really happened to you, it’ll be much more effect than a campaign ad, and much more difficult to combat. Empathy and sympathy do not always yield the proper correctives.
  • James Lileks@jameslileks
    Might you join us on an EAMU sometime? We can expand upon this at greater length. The EAMU starts at noon Central time, but we usually welcome guests at 13:00 Central. We’re booked for next Sunday, but any time after that would be great.

    I'd be delighted to be a guest. Thanks!

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