The Political Orphanage

Which is scarier: nuclear war or robots? Asteroid impact or climate change? Martin Rees is the founder of The Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at Cambridge University. He joins the program to talk about how to calculate the probability of threats to humanity, and what we should be sweating. He's also the Astronomer Royal of the United Kingdom, the country's foremost mathematician, and the author of "On The Future: Prospects for Humanity." Here's a link to his book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/069118044X?tag=mightyheaton-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

Andrea Jones-Rooy and Kevin Seefried return to the program to discuss the week's underserved headlines, including: Spike Lee's next big film, a giant raccoon on the loose, Donkey Kong defamation lawsuits, and the Irish government. You can watch this episode on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/o9A_G8LpIPc

Niccolò Machiavelli and John Stuart Mill are two deeply impactful political thinkers on modern civilization. The former is the patron saint of ruthless realpolitik; the latter the godfather of classical liberalism. Classicist and lauded madman Brian Wilson rejoins the program to compare the two political philosophers and draw lessons for modern society.

Andrew Young and Nick Sperdute join the show to discuss the week's most under reported headlines: underwater scooter chases, the time a school of herring almost started a war with Russia, and Canadian pizza indulgences.

Let's investigate Trump's voter fraud allegations and his ensuing courtroom battles to flip swing states. Plus the danger to democracy imposed by the president undermining it, and the many points in American history when rule of law could have gone off the rails.

(Not Safe for Kids) Yvette d'Entremont and Alice Vaughn are the hosts of "Two Girls One Mic," a podcast that reviews the plots of porn films. They join Heaton to sort out the week's underserved headlines, including stuff about Godzilla, gay penguins, and naked sushi. You can find Two Girls One Mic at: https://www.twogirlsonemic.com/

Jen Briney is host of "Congressional Dish," a podcast that deep dives Congress, its legislation, and its shenanigans. She comes on to discuss what the election means for the next few months, and the gambits lawmakers employ to push their agendas through without actually having to publicly debate them.

Jack Helmuth and Brian Sack of "Questionable Material" return in neon glory to unpack the week's best headlines, including noctiginarian shootouts, the global importance of Belgian fishing adventures, and soliciting sex workers in graveyards.

Last night had a significant tell you can't gleam from polling or minute-by-minute vote counts. We don't know who's going to win, but I can tell you who both candidates think will. Plus: what the next few days of legal trench warfare are gonna look like.

If Trump wins, does he become the standard model for GOP candidates? If he loses, do Romneyites tiptoe back? Does a Biden victory forestall the ascent of his party's activist wing, or is he the last gasp of Democratic centrism, regardless? Justin Robert Young joins the program to talk about the long-term consequences of either outcome.