The basis for our conversation is this website which has a very useful graphic at the top of the page, posted below.
We also spend a few minutes talking about the Hierarchy of Evidence which is also shown below and this is the website source.
Here is the link to the YouTube video.
Colin and Brian had different experiences in the previous conversation about whether or not there is bias against conservatives in social media and so we thought it would be wise to look back at the conversation. We also address the fact that one of our first videos was pulled out of circulation by YouTube, a few days ago.
Here is a link to the YouTube video.
Seven minutes into the recording, Brian references a study regarding the hard-right groups posting more junk news than all other groups combined. Here is the source (page eight).
A bit more than eleven minutes into the recording, Brian references a report that Facebook relaxed its rules for certain right leaning personalities. Here is the source (first two paragraphs).
Twelve minutes into the recording, Brian references an investigation into Facebook policies led by a former Republican politician. Here is the source (page 10).
Thirteen minutes into the recording, Colin references a report of anonymous sources stating conservative stories were being removed within Facebook. He also talks about the high number of employees that support Democrat candidates. Here is the source (page six).
Around the minute 35:30, Brian references a study that shows greater amplification of right wing tweets. Here is the source.
If you are interested in reading more on the topic, here are the sources we used for the conversation.
NYU False Accusation: The Unfounded Claim that Social Media Companies Censor Conservatives
Why The Right Wing Has A Massive Advantage On Facebook
Algorithmic Amplification Of Politics On Twitter
Here is a link to the YouTube video.
Pretend that you are on a desert island with a group of other people and you decide that you need some structure, some rules and perhaps a safety net. How do you begin? We veer pretty quickly into specific examples, but it does illustrate the challenges and concerns with overall philosophy of laws.
Follow the link to the YouTube video.
In capitalism, the consumer chooses where to spend their money and that means a consumer can impact what companies offer for sale. Companies can influence legislation through lobbyists. Individual shareholders cannot impact company policy.
Here is a link to the YouTube video.
There is some amount of belief that is applied to science. That must be the case because we cannot test all scientific theories personally so we must trust that it has been done. Have the experiments that are published been replicated? It turns out that the replicated experiments are rarely published and so we must take it on faith that the experiments were conducted correctly. We discuss this and more.
Follow the link to view the YouTube video.
We don’t get into specific conspiracy theories, but consider how some can some get pulled into the orbit of these theories. We also consider whether we should be worried about those in power that act with consideration to a conspiracy theory.
Here is the link to the YouTube video.
During the pandemic, there was a shortage of medical equipment due to production being almost entirely outside of the U.S. and so we were dependent on other countries for supplies. Similarly, microchips are manufactured almost entirely outside of the U.S. and for some this is a national security issue. The CHIPS Act was just passed in an effort to encourage chip production in the US to address the issue.
Here is the link to the YouTube video.
The government will provide financial backing for industries that are just beginning to emerge because there is a social benefit to the industry. Prime examples are solar power and electric cars. Is this a good use of our taxpayer money?
In the conversation, Brian references the Commuter Car, here is a picture of that car.
Here is a link to the YouTube video of the conversation.
We begin the conversation discussing oil subsidies. We give examples of the types of subsidies that the oil industry receives and both question the value of subsidizing the industry. We quickly move on and discuss agriculture subsidies. We begin the conversation on the history of grain storage as a method of stabilizing the price and availability, which goes all the way back to the biblical story of Joseph and the Pharaoh of Egypt.
