Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Frum v Bannon: The Rise of Populism

Streamed live on Nov 2, 2018
Steve Bannon, the former head of Breitbart News and former chief strategist to President Trump, argues for the resolution that the “future of western politics is populist, not liberal.” Arguing the opposing side is Canadian-American David Frum, senior editor at The Atlantic, former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, and author of the recent book "Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Public." Rudyard Griffiths moderates the debate from Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. (November 2, 2018) Note: Due to a technical error, the Munk Debates announced incorrect voting results at the conclusion of the event. The final official audience vote on the resolution was 28% in favour and 72% opposed. The Munk Debates have announced that the debate ended in a draw and apologized for the error.

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Friday, November 30, 2018

IQ2US: Silicon Valley Has Lost Its Soul

Silicon Valley once promised to solve many of the world’s problems with a technological revolution. But now, the tech hub is the center of much scrutiny, and for many, that scrutiny is warranted. From privacy violations to flawed business models to a lack of diversity and representation, Silicon Valley has seemingly betrayed its idealism. And though technological progress has notably enriched a few, Silicon Valley has failed to deliver its promise to all. Has the prioritization of profits and conformity of thought corrupted its original “do good” agenda? Proponents argue no: Silicon Valley’s critics are simply overreacting. After all, it is still the center of innovation, and the tech giants have revolutionized the way we think, shop, communicate, and experience our lives for the better. Do big tech’s detractors simply expect too much from lucrative corporations? Or has Silicon Valley lost its soul?

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Monday, November 26, 2018

BLAH 80 | Fire, Blood, Oily Stones and narratives

The Boiled Leather Audio History Hour is coming to your house! Aziz and Ashaya from the “History of Westeros” podcast are doing us the honor of providing not one but two illustrous guest co-hosts for this episode.

Of course, I’m taking them to task and interview them about the near and far history of Westeros. We talk the Dance of the Dragons and the Blackfyre rebellion as precursors to the narrative and foreshadowing it, delve into oily black stones and the Long Night and, finally, break some eggs. You have to listen to the show to get that reference.

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Monday, November 12, 2018

IQ2US: Trump Is Bad for Comedy

From the opening skit on “Saturday Night Live” to “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” to the pages of The Onion, President Trump has become the face of comedy. Some comedians and writers argue that in the Trump era, satire has become more challenging and jokes have become cheap.  Trump, according to his critics, has normalized the absurd and the nature of political satire in a post-truth world. But others disagree; they argue that the president serves up comedy-gold every day, making their jobs – and the laughs they seek to elicit – easier than ever before. And, they argue, comedy is much more “woke” than it used to be, with late-night hosts and comedians playing a pivotal role in the fight for social justice. Is the president killing comedy? Or is he making the funny business ever more relevant?

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Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Fresh Air: Jonah Hill


Jonah Hill: Acting Was An 'Amazing Derailment' On The Path To Directing
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Tuesday, October 23, 2018

BLAH 79 | The Battles of Ice and Fire

In Sean’s second consecutive month with a leave of abscence, Stefan is joined by Jim McGeehin, who writes the famous tumblr “Wars and Politics of Ice and Fire” and goes by the handle of “Something like a lawyer”. While his lawyering status may be somewhat in doubt, his command of the material is not.

Jim’s command of military and political matters is almost without equal in the fandom, and while he is too modest to accept the monicker of “expert” that Stefan tried to bestow on him, that’s really what he is. So it would be malpractice not to put his expertise to the test!

What we talk about in this episode are the upcoming Battles of Ice and Fire, referring to Stannis’ fight against Freys and Boltons and Barristan’s fight against the Yunkish in the expected opening of “The Winds of Winter”, when it finally arrives. We talk military strategy as well as political strategy, being aware that in a feudal society, no one can seperate both. We also venture into the literary qualities and discuss some more elaborate fan theories.

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Saturday, October 20, 2018

DS@H 11: Representative Subsets For Big Data Learning

How would you perform accurate classification on a very large dataset by just looking at a sample of it
 

DS@H 10: History and applications of Deep Learning

What is deep learning?If you have no patience, deep learning is the result of training many layers of non-linear processing units for feature extraction and data transformation e.g. from pixel, to edges, to shapes, to object classification, to scene description, captioning, etc.
 

DS@H 9: Markov Chain Montecarlo with full conditionals

At some point, statistical problems need sampling. Sampling consists in generating observations from a specific distribution.
 

DS@H 8: Frequentists and Bayesians

There are statisticians and data scientists... Among statisticians, there are some who just count. Some others who… think differently. In this show we explore the old time dilemma between frequentists and bayesians.Given a statistical problem, who’s going to be right?
 

DS@H 7: 30 min with data scientist Sebastian Raschka

In this show I interview Sebastian Raschka, data scientist and author of Python Machine Learning.In addition to the fun we had offline, there are great elements about machine learning, data science, current and future trends, to keep an ear on. Moreover, it is the conversation of two data scientists who contribute and operate in the field, on a daily basis.
 

DS@H 6: How to be data scientist

In this episode, we tell you how to become data scientist and join an amazing community that is changing the world with data analytics.
 

DS@H 5: Development and Testing Practices in Data Science

Should data scientists follow the old good practices of software engineering? Data scientists make software after all.

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DS@H 2: Networks and Graph Databases

Have you ever thought to get a Big Data infrastructure on your desk? That’s right! On your desk.

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Friday, October 19, 2018

IQ2US: Progressive Populism Will Save the Democratic Party

As Democratic leaders and strategists gear up for the 2018 and 2020 elections, the party stands at a crossroads. For progressive populists, the path forward is clear: Democrats must get back in touch with the party’s working-class roots by championing a specific set of policies, including Medicare for all, free public college tuition, a guaranteed federal jobs program, and housing as a human right. They say this strategy is key to winning back disillusioned working-class voters and to regaining power in Washington and beyond. But others view this as a dangerous path. They argue that a handful of high-profile progressive wins have been overhyped by the media and, rather than make promises that may be impossible to execute in this political climate, Democrats should champion centrist, economically viable policies that will win elections and solidify the base. How can the Democratic Party, out of power and outnumbered in Washington D.C. and state capitals across the nation, bring itself out of the political wilderness?

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Wednesday, October 17, 2018

GBBP 195: R.A. Salvatore

This week, we’re headed to the Forgotten Realms with superstar author R.A. Salvatore! Thirty years ago, Salvatore created the dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden. Over the course of more than 30 books, he’s explored the legend of Drizzt from all angles and plumbed nearly every corner of his world. But there’s always more story to tell. And his newest book, Timeless, kicks off a new trilogy that serves as a prequel of sorts. The book focuses on Drizzt’s father, Zaknafein, and is a fascinating prelude to the journeys that have shaped the modern-day Forgotten Realms (part of the Dungeons & Dragons universe).

Salvatore is one of fantasy’s most recognizable and successful authors. His books have sold millions of copies, and he’s been on the New York Times bestseller list dozens of times. According to many, he’s considered the father of modern epic fantasy. In addition to the millions of words he’s written for Drizzt and the Forgotten Realms, Salvatore has also helped build numerous other worlds, including The DemonWars Saga, the Crimson Shadow, Star Wars, and so much more.

On this episode, we talk with Salvatore about his many years playing in the Forgotten Realms sandbox, the freedom he had to develop the world and characters, returning to Drizzt with Timeless, playing EverQuest, novelizing Star Wars with Attack of the Clones, and killing Chewbacca.

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Tuesday, October 9, 2018

IQ2US: Retail Alliances – Not Washington – Will Save the U.S. Health Care System

Last year, Intelligence Squared U.S. and the Mayo Clinic brought to the stage a bold inquiry about whether health care in the United States is terminally broken. And this year, we’re picking up where that discussion left off, against the backdrop of corporate behemoths announcing mergers that, they say, are sure to shake up health care – from the Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, and JPMorgan Chase venture, to the CVS-Aetna deal, to the Humana-Walgreens partnership, and more. But while these superpower alliances are making a splash in the headlines, will they actually be able to disrupt, and save, U.S. health care? Proponents argue that the bargaining power and data competencies of these retailers will squeeze middlemen out of an inefficient supply chain and bring more transparency to health care pricing. But others argue that the promise of these novel efforts is overstated or misguided, particularly because U.S. health care is so complex and deeply rooted. Will consumer-focused models and employer-led initiatives lead to better and less expensive outcomes?

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Sunday, September 30, 2018

LM101-001: Welcome to the Big Artificial Intelligence Magic Show!

This episode discusses the similarities between designing an android that can command a starship and designing an android that can play a game of checkers. In addition, the mystery underlying both artificial intelligence and biological intelligence is discussed.

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Saturday, September 1, 2018

Sam Harris & Jordan Peterson — Night Two

Sam Harris & Jordan Peterson - Vancouver - Second Night Moderated by Bret Weinstein 06/24/2018 This is the second time Sam & Jordan appeared live together on stage. This event took place at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver BC Canada on June 24th 2018 in front of a sold out audience of 3000 people. The event was produced by Pangburn Philosophy.

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Sam Harris & Jordan Peterson — Night One

Sam Harris & Jordan Peterson - Vancouver - Night One Moderated by Bret Weinstein 06/23/2018 This is the first time Sam & Jordan appeared live together on stage. This event took place at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver BC Canada on June 23rd 2018 in front of a sold out audience of 3000 people. The event was produced by Pangburn Philosophy.

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Friday, August 3, 2018

IQ2US: Globalization Has Undermined America's Working Class

Globalization ushered in an era of free trade, fluid borders, and unparalleled corporate profits. For its proponents, the global integration of states and their economies was a political and economic win that created a wealth of opportunities for workers and consumers around the world. But in the United States, jobs are disappearing. From construction zones to clerical offices to coal mines, the American working class is losing ground. Is globalization to blame? Did the push toward global integration leave our most vulnerable populations behind, making them the losers of this grand experiment? Or is globalization being used as a scapegoat for a wider range of failed public policies and unprecedented advances in technology?

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Friday, July 27, 2018

IQ2US: Social Media Is Good for Democracy

By connecting people across the world for free, platforms like Twitter and Facebook set the stage for a promising digital revolution, providing tools that helped foster global friendships, break down long-standing barriers that kept people and ideas from being heard, and served as the ultimate democratizing force for information. Now, lawmakers in the U.S. and beyond are reeling with questions of how to prevent the spread of digital political propaganda and protect citizens’ personal privacy online. Critics argue that rather than uniting and informing, social media deepens social and political divisions and erodes trust in the democratic process. Will the power of social media yet be harnessed and used as an unprecedented force for good in the world? Or do systemic platform flaws pose an irreversible threat to the world’s democratic institutions? 

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Monday, July 16, 2018

IQ2US: Trigger Warning: Safe Spaces Are Dangerous

Long hailed as bastions of intellectual development and ground zero for the free and spirited exchange of ideas, today’s universities have come under attack by those who argue that a new generation of students and administrators are trading in academia’s most cherished values for political correctness and inclusion. At the heart of this debate is the question of safe spaces, how we define them, and whether they aid or hinder intellectual inquiry. Deeply rooted in social justice movements of the past, these spaces promise a reprieve from bigotry and oppression by allowing today’s students – the most culturally and racially diverse in history – the opportunity to express themselves in an empathetic environment. But to their critics, safe spaces pose a dire threat to free speech and undermine the resilience of a generation. Are safe spaces dangerously coddling young minds? Or are they a legitimate and necessary component of modern education?

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Monday, June 11, 2018

An Evening With Matt Dillahunty & Jordan Peterson

The Warrior For Reason - Matt Dillahunty goes head to head with Dr. Jordan Peterson on God, Religion, Morality & more!

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Friday, May 25, 2018

IQ2US: Automation Will Crash Democracy

Around the world, technology is disrupting the workforce, with automation poised to displace humans in the fields of medicine, agriculture, and beyond. Will the rise of robots fuel a new wave of “us versus them” populism capable of undermining democracy?

For some, the answer is yes. They argue that as people lose jobs to robots, the gap between the rich and poor widens, distrust in government and democratic institutions grows, and populist ideas become more attractive to those who feel left behind. The importance of work trumps the importance of democracy, leaving a clear path for authoritarians to rise under nationalist messages that pit groups of people against one another. But others paint a different picture: They argue that humans have adapted to – and benefited from – new innovations for centuries. From the advent of water and steam power to computers, work has changed, but never disappeared. And as automation drives higher productivity growth, humans can reach their full potential and pursue societal innovation, allowing more citizens to feel fulfilled and strengthening democracy on the whole.

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Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Waking Up Book Club 2 With Antonio Damasio

In this second Waking Up Book Club event, we’re recording live from the Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. Listen to Sam Harris interview Antonio Damasio about his new book The Strange Order of Things: Life, Feeling, and the Making of Cultures.

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Friday, May 4, 2018

IQ2US: Bitcoin Is More Than a Bubble and Here to Stay

Is Bitcoin here to stay, or is it a bubble waiting to pop? Less than a decade old, Bitcoin is worth billions. The cryptocurrency promises to revolutionize global finance by placing control of currency in the hands of users, not nations, and make financial exchanges more transparent, efficient, and democratic. And it seems to be taking hold: Earlier this year both the Cboe and CME debuted Bitcoin futures. But is Bitcoin really a safe bet? Proponents say the hype around the cryptocurrency is warranted, and previous critics – including executives at JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs – are increasingly jumping on the Bitcoin (block)train. On the other hand, skeptics suggest this highly volatile digital currency offers a platform for illicit activity, including money laundering and trafficking of humans and drugs, free from government oversight and regulation. And, they argue, Bitcoin has no intrinsic value – the price is based on market enthusiasm rather than actual utility. This debate is presented in partnership with the Adam Smith Society. The Adam Smith Society — a project of the Manhattan Institute — is an expansive, chapter-based network of MBA students, professionals, and business leaders who work to foster debate about the moral, social, and economic benefits of capitalism.

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Sunday, April 29, 2018

IQ2US: Preserve Net Neutrality: All Data is Created Equal

What if a single policy could impact American democracy, culture, and competitiveness?  What if that policy might either empower citizens and consumers, or burden them?  And what if the decision on that policy sparked a frenzy of legislative proposals, judicial challenges, and citizen outrage, all across the country?

The Federal Communications Commission’s decision to end net neutrality regulations has fueled a national debate about the future of the internet.  Adopted in 2015, net neutrality promised to preserve the democratic spirit of the web by ensuring that all data would be treated equally, regardless of where it originated. Under these regulations, internet service providers (ISPs) such as Verizon, Comcast and AT&T, the corporate giants who deliver the internet into our homes, could supply web infrastructure, but could not preference how data passed through it.  Denying them that power, supporters argue, remains critical to ensuring that users and content-creators can discover ideas and information without censorship, or charges, from these prospective gatekeepers.  After all, no person should have to pay for every video streamed on YouTube; no startup should be hobbled against established companies who buy faster access to consumers; and no minority voice should have its ideas throttled by wealthier interests.

On the other hand, net neutrality opponents argue that the genius of the Internet has been its individually driven, organic development, free from the heavy hand of so-called net neutrality.  These burdensome regulations constitute dangerous governmental overreach, stifle innovation, and spike costs for both consumers and providers.  The result, they maintain, will be a less interesting, less democratic, less innovative web.  Moreover, Americans will enjoy uninterrupted access to their favorite sites – without net neutrality – because ISPs make more money from an open, rather than closed, internet.  Consequently, the backlash against the FCC’s decision is overblown, and ending net neutrality is the right policy for the future of America’s internet.


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4-26-18 FULL Bret Baier with Fox news Interviews James Comey

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Monday, April 16, 2018

Hangouts On Air: Google Recruiters Share Technical Interview Tips


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Applying to Google: How to Ace the Engineering and Technical Interview


Streamed live on Oct 25, 2016

**See our opportunities at http://g.co/studentcareers ** Watch Google Engineers go over interviewing at Google, and walk through an example Engineering and Technology question in a real onsite interview setting. These engineers have conducted numerous interviews at Google and will share their best tips and insights into what makes a technical interview (both phone and in-person) successful. Editors Note: The slide and comments regarding number of interviews are slightly incorrect. The typical number of interviews is as follows: Phone interviews: 1-2. Onsite interviews: 4-5. This video does not represent all interview experiences, and some variations may apply.

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Monday, April 9, 2018

IQ2US: The More We Evolve, The Less We Need God

Does God have a place in 21st century human affairs? For many, the answer is an unapologetic yes. Belief in a higher power, they argue, is the foundation of human consciousness and the soul of all social, political, and scientific progress. Further, some claim, humans are biologically predisposed to embrace religion and require faith to live moral lives. Others are far more skeptical. For them, adherence to faith and religious tradition serves only to fracture communities and prevent humanity from embracing a more enlightened, reasoned, and just social order. As we look to the future in uncertain times, should spirituality and religion play a central role in human evolution, innovation, and discovery? Or has God become obsolete?

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Thursday, March 8, 2018

Sam Harris: Ask Me Anything #11

Ask Me Anything #11

Questions Answered:
  • If you could speak with any person from history, who would it be and why?
  • What are your thoughts on the Lawrence Krauss situation?
  • Who are the philosophers that have most inspired you?
  • What do you think about the ethics of inherited wealth?
  • My experience in meditation seems to increase my feeling of self. Can you say something about this?
  • How should society deal with destructive drugs like methamphetamine?
  • Will you invite more guests on the podcast whom you strongly disagree with?
  • Will you create a way for listeners to nominate and vote on podcast guests?
  • Can you further discuss the misgivings you have regarding Jordan Peterson’s work?
  • How does intelligence correlate with wellbeing?
  • How can we differentiate abortion from murder?
  • Why do so many smart people not accept your arguments about the illusoriness of the self and free will?
  • Do you think meditation can prevent a person from having bad experiences on psychedelics?
  • What are your thoughts on Stoicism?

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Friday, February 16, 2018

Sam Harris: Ask Me Anything #10

Ask Me Anything #10

Questions Answered:
  • What are your thoughts on the ethics of suicide?
  • You have said that moderate religion provides cover for religious extremism, could the same be said about your criticism of Islam, that it provides cover for bigotry against Muslims as people?
  • How should we challenge our own beliefs in an ongoing way?
  • As a neuroscientist and father, what are your rules for your kids’ screen time?
  • How can the concept of "metaphorical truth" be reconciled with science?
  • You seem to neglect economics. Have you considered having more economists on your show?
  • What is the ethical response to homeless people asking for money?
  • How would you compare the ethics of adoption versus having one’s own biological children?
  • What is your view on living a solitary life?
  • What podcasts do you personally listen to?
  • What is your process of developing your opinion on a new subject?
  • You seem to be very good at emotional self-regulation, but is it possible to take this too far?
  • How do you speak so eloquently?
  • What is your view of prostitution and pornography? Should they be legal?
  • What are your thoughts on the ethics of universal health care and a social safety net?
  • In his book "God is Not Great", Christopher Hitchens wrote very critically of meditation. Did you ever try to convince him that he was wrong?

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The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg: When Worlds Collide!


In an homage to the star-stuffed 70s disaster movies they both know and love so well, Jonah invites Commentary magazine editor and GLoP Culture co-host John Podhoretz on for a wide-ranging discussion on movies, TV, New York, neoconservatism, and much more. In fitting '70s disaster movie fashion, a special guest star makes a surprise cameo. When Worlds Collide? More like When Mad, Mad, Mad Worlds Collide!

Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/media/remnant-jonah-goldberg/remnant-jonah-goldberg-when-worlds-collide

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Wednesday, February 14, 2018

IQ2US: Swipe Left: Dating Apps Have Killed Romance

Every day millions of people turn to dating apps to find love. To date, more than 49 million Americans have given digital dating a try and the companies facilitating these matches are raking in billions. But are dating apps really designed to promote long-lasting romance? Apps like Tinder and Bumble make finding a date as easy as swiping right, while digital platforms like Match.com and OkCupid use specialized algorithms to help users find the perfect partner, regardless of age or personal preferences. Further, a range of niche sites connect people with highly specific interests, whether it’s single parenthood, a gluten-free lifestyle, or a devotion to Ayn Rand. But some argue that online dating is rife with sexism, racism, and misogyny, and that dating apps ultimately create a culture that prioritizes sex over committed and lasting love. After all, why settle on one match when there may be someone better just a swipe away?
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Monday, February 5, 2018

IQ2US: Unresolved: America's Economic Outlook


By most accounts, the American economy is booming — manufacturing is at a 13-year high, unemployment is at a 16-year low, and both the stock market and consumer confidence are soaring. But just what is driving this upturn? And can Americans trust that current economic conditions will hold up in the months ahead? In our season premiere, five esteemed economic thinkers debate the state of the American economy, from tax cuts to trade policy.

Closing in on the Trump administration’s first year, we’ll ask: Is deregulation driving the booming economy? Can the Republican tax bill spur economic growth? And is the stock market too high?  

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Tuesday, January 23, 2018

All the financial advice you’ll ever need fits on a single index card

At first glance, fiscal planning can seem more complex and time-consuming than it’s worth. But according to Professor Harold Pollack of the University of Chicago, you can fit all the financial advice you’ll ever really need on a single index card. Economics correspondent Paul Solman takes a look at Pollack’s ten easy tips for simple and sensible money management.

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Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Jordan Peterson debate on the gender pay gap, campus protests and postmodernism

Channel 4 News’ full, fiery interview with clinical psychologist and professorJordan B Peterson, whose views on gender have amassed great controversy - and a huge online following. He discusses the pay gap, patriarchy and his new book "12 Rules for Life." Subscribe: http://bit.ly/2mFYm8e

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