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Words & Numbers

Words & Numbers

By: Antony Davies
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Summary

 Words & Numbers touches on issues of Economics, Political Science, Current Events and Policy. Each Wednesday we'll be sharing a new Words & Numbers podcast featuring Antony Davies Ph.D and James Harrigan Ph.D talking about the economics and political science of current events. Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Episode 504: Privileges & Immunities

    Episode 504: Privileges & Immunities
    Apr 29 2026
    Privileges and/or Immunities, Necessary and/or Proper, and Cruel and/or Unusual, with guest Clark Neily. 00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer 00:37 Congress Approval Ratings Hit 10% 02:08 King Charles on Checks and Balances 03:17 Is Congress Failing Its Constitutional Role? 04:19 Jimmy Kimmel Controversy and Media Fallout 06:05 Foolishness of the Week: Trump Passport Idea 08:13 Clark Neily Joins the Show 09:28 Comey Indictment and “8647” Controversy 12:11 Legal Interpretation and Prosecutorial Overreach 16:03 Is There a Growing Skepticism of Qualified Immunity? 17:58 What Qualified Immunity Actually Means 19:57 Absolute Immunity for Prosecutors Explained 23:44 Supreme Court Trends and Recent Rulings 24:19 Birthright Citizenship Debate 30:06 Constitutional Interpretation and “Cruel and Unusual” 34:07 Incorporation Doctrine and the 14th Amendment 40:28 Slaughterhouse Cases and Missed Legal Turning Point 45:35 Why Courts Resist Expanding Individual Rights 48:56 Supreme Court Power and Constitutional Limits Debate 50:59 Commerce Clause Expansion and Federal Overreach 57:51 Closing Discussion and Wrap-Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Episode 503: Is the American Dream Dead?

    Episode 503: Is the American Dream Dead?
    Apr 22 2026
    Is the American Dream dead? A lot of people seem to think so, and perception is reality in politics. But what do the words and numbers actually say? 00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer 01:10 NYC Government Grocery Stores and “Fair Prices” 05:26 Why Socialist Grocery Models Break Down 09:27 Money, Markets, and Why the System Works 11:36 Prediction: Empty Shelves and Taxpayer Subsidies 13:29 UK Smoking Ban and Black Market Consequences 18:16 Foolishness of the Week: AI Influencer Scam 21:01 AI Content, OnlyFans, and the Future of Monetization 24:04 Is the American Dream Dead? 27:04 Perception vs Reality in the Economy 29:41 Real Wages, Housing, and Cost of Living 34:03 Why Life Feels More Expensive Today 37:40 Work, Lifestyle Expectations, and Generational Shifts 45:32 Consumer Sentiment, Social Media, and Economic Anxiety 52:12 Recession Fears and Policy Reality 56:33 Closing Remarks and Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Episode 502: Us & Them

    Episode 502: Us & Them
    Apr 15 2026
    It’s not left v right, it’s us v them. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:27 AI Lawsuit and the Return of “Technology Panics” 01:04 The “Werther Effect” and Historical Media Fears 04:47 Does AI Cause Harm or Reflect the User? 07:46 Should AI Come With Warnings? 12:05 Hungary Politics and Viktor Orbán’s Defeat 15:29 Foolishness of the Week: Conspiracy Theories and Flat Earthers 18:14 Artemis II and the Persistence of Irrational Beliefs 20:28 Partisanship, Audience Reactions, and Perceived Bias 24:10 Why Both Parties Drift Toward Authoritarianism 28:55 Are Democrats and Republicans Actually Different? 32:37 “Them vs Us”: The Political Illusion 36:24 The Feedback Loop of Polarization 40:35 Debate Culture, Civility, and Online Discourse 43:23 How to Argue Without Attacking People 47:38 Final Thoughts: Be Skeptical, Be Civil, Be Kind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    55 mins
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