IQ2US: Income Inequality Impairs The American Dream Of Upward Mobility

Income inequality has been on the rise for decades. In the last 30 years, the wages of the top 1% have grown by 154%, while the bottom 90% has seen growth of only 17%. As the rungs of the economic ladder move further and further apart, conventional wisdom says that it will become much more difficult to climb them. Opportunities for upward mobility—the American dream—will disappear as the deck becomes stacked against the middle class and the poor. But others see inequality as a positive, a sign of a dynamic and robust economy that, in the end, helps everyone. And contrary to public opinion, mobility has remained stable over the past few decades. If the American dream is dying, is it the result of income inequality? Or is disparity in income a red herring where more complex issues are at play?

Source.

JRE #413 - Dan Carlin, Daniele Bolelli

#413. Dan Carlin is an amateur historian and former radio talk show host. Carlin now hosts two popular podcasts available on iTunes, or through his website, to download: Common Sense and Hardcore History. Daniele Bolelli is an Italian author, professor, and martial artist. His books include Create Your Own Religion and On the Warrior's Path and his podcast called The Drunken Taoist is available on iTunes.

Source.

Tim Ferriss Show, Episode 20: Dan Carlin – Hardcore History, Building Podcasts, Creativity, and More

This podcast is brought to you by The Tim Ferriss Book Club, which features a handful of books that have changed my life. Here’s the list.
Now, on to our guest…
Dan Carlin is the host of my favorite podcast, Hardcore History.
But… what?! History?! I know. I thought the same thing. How could a history podcast have a cult following?
And yet it did. During research for launching The Tim Ferriss Show, I asked many of the top dogs on the iTunes charts: what is your favorite podcast? Almost without exception, the answer came back: Hardcore History.
Since then, I’ve become friends with Dan (and more obsessed with his show), and this episode explores all the questions I’ve been dying to ask him, including:
- His early experiments
– What has worked and what hasn’t
– His habits, rituals, and routines
– How podcasting became his full-time job
– His “radio” voice and how to find your own
– Creativity
– And much more…
I hope you enjoy it, and listen to at least one episode of Hardcore History. They’re amazing. I’ve included a few of my favorites below.

Source.

IQ2US: Mass Collection of U.S. Phone Records Violates the Fourth Amendment

 Some say that the mass collection of U.S. phone records is a gross invasion of privacy. Others say that it is necessary to keep us safe. But what does the U.S. Constitution say? "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” Is collection of phone records a “search” or “seizure"? If so, is it “unreasonable”? Does it require a particularized warrant and probable cause? These are among the most consequential—and controversial—constitutional questions of our time.

Source.

IQ2US: Flexing America's Muscles In The Middle East Will Make Things Worse

The rise of ISIS, the disintegration of Iraq, Syria’s ongoing civil war, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the promise and peril of the Arab Spring...  What role should America play in the Middle East? For some, America’s restraint has been a sign of disciplined leadership. But for others, it has been a sign of diminished strength and influence. How do we strike a balance between our national interests, moral obligations, and the maintenance of world order? Are we simply recognizing the limitations of our power, or does this embattled region require a bolder, more muscular, American presence?

Source.