Middle Theory
228 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 167 ratingsNews, Current Events, Politics, and History, Without the Slant.
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Episodes
05.12.22. This is Middle Theory
May 12, 2022 13:23 - 1 hour - 43 MBThis week, we ask how we became so polarized, and look at the underlying reasons for division in our culture in a discussion about the meaning behind the "Middle Theory."
05.03.22. Nuclear Options
May 03, 2022 15:40 - 42 minutes - 29.1 MBThis week, growing concerns over Russia's nuclear rhetoric in recent days has experts looking at how far Vladimir Putin might go in his quest to conquer Ukraine.
04.27.22. Elon Musk and the Battle for Twitter
April 28, 2022 19:50 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MBThis week, controversy ensues over Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, and whether the platform can improve under Musk's leadership.
04.18.22. Holy War
April 19, 2022 20:49 - 41 minutes - 28.9 MBAs Ukrainian officials say the "Battle of Donbas" has begun, we look at how one controversial Russian cleric has urged for "holy war" as the conflict in Ukraine wears on.
04.11.22. Twitter: Battle of the Bots
April 12, 2022 17:55 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBThis week, we analyze Elon Musk's new influence on social media giant Twitter, and the company's issue with bots posing as users.
04.04.22. Cancel Culture and the Subscription Society
April 05, 2022 14:46 - 1 hour - 49.3 MBIn this episode, we are joined by YouTube documentarian and essayist Peter Coffin for a philosophical and economically-minded discussion about cancel culture.
03.28.22. Assault at the Oscars
March 29, 2022 16:24 - 51 minutes - 35.3 MBThis week, violence erupts at the Oscars during an unscripted episode between Best Actor Award recipient Will Smith and host Chris Rock.
03.21.22. Stalemate
March 22, 2022 16:42 - 49 minutes - 34 MBAs the crisis in Ukraine continues, world leaders ask how long the present stalemate might continue, and whether an attempt at removing Putin from power could soon occur from within Russia.
03.14.22. Ukraine: The Red Line
March 16, 2022 17:21 - 1 hour - 47.9 MBThis week we discuss the latest on the situation with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with insights on the conflict from reporter Tim McMillan.
03.07.22. Battleground: Ukraine
March 09, 2022 00:21 - 46 minutes - 31.9 MBWith Russian forces meeting stronger resistance from Ukraine than expected, we look at recent anti-war protests in Russia, and possible motives driving Putin's decision to invade the country.
02.28.22. World War Wired
March 01, 2022 15:36 - 57 minutes - 40 MBAs Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ensues, we examine the complicated dynamics between nations, and the new face of warfare in the technological age of the 21st century.
02.22.22. “I” is for Invasion
February 23, 2022 14:51 - 41 minutes - 28.8 MBThis week, western nations impose sanctions against Russia as Vladimir Putin moves military forces into two regions of Ukraine in the early stages of an apparent invasion.
02.18.22. Disinformation Nation
February 18, 2022 13:42 - 46 minutes - 31.9 MBTensions remain high on the Ukrainian border, as reports of Russian withdrawals are met with skepticism by NATO and the US amid claims of disinformation from both the East and West.
02.07.22. Cancel Culture Wars
February 08, 2022 20:32 - 53 minutes - 37.1 MBThis week, cancel culture wars continue to be waged over controversial podcaster Joe Rogan and missing Trump-era historical documents.
02.01.22: Spotify’s Joe Rogan Problem
February 01, 2022 19:39 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MBThis week, comedian Joe Rogan stokes the fires of controversy, putting the streaming platform Spotify at the center of a debate over the content it features.
01.24.22. Green Light
January 25, 2022 21:33 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBAs tensions continue to rise in Ukraine, we look at statements by President Biden which may have given Russia a green light for invasion.
01.18.22. Countdown to Cold War
January 19, 2022 22:57 - 49 minutes - 34.5 MBThis week, we look at allegations by U.S. intelligence officials of a possible "False Flag" operation planned by Russia as justification for invading Ukraine.
01.10.21. Soylent Green
January 11, 2022 18:12 - 52 minutes - 36.4 MBAs we kick off 2022, we reflect on themes of the 1973 film "Soylent Green", and why recent polls show people think Democracy is in peril.
12.20.21. Predictions
December 21, 2021 18:15 - 41 minutes - 28.5 MBThis week, as 2021 winds to a close we take a look at predictions for the coming year, and what we can expect in 2022.
12.13.21. Musk of the Year
December 13, 2021 22:09 - 50 minutes - 35 MBAs TIME announces Elon Musk as its pick for 2021 Person of the Year, we look at the SpaceX founder's ideology and outlook on the future, as well as perspectives on the controversial billionaire's achievements.
12.06.21. First in Mandates
December 07, 2021 14:50 - 45 minutes - 31.7 MBThis week, as New York City announces the first-in-the-nation private sector vaccine mandate for New York workers, we look at the complexities surrounding the move as the omicron variant spreads in the U.S.
12.30.21. Omicronology
December 02, 2021 01:31 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBThis week, with the arrival of the new Omicron variant of COVID 19, we look at what is known, and what experts are saying as we head toward the holidays.
11.24.21. The Verdict
November 25, 2021 15:01 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MBThis week, we analyze media reactions to the verdict in the murder trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, and how political lines have been drawn regarding the jury's decision.
11.15.21. Right to Indict
November 17, 2021 00:40 - 46 minutes - 32.3 MBAs former Trump advisor Steve Bannon becomes the first person to be charged with criminal contempt of Congress in decades, we look at what this signals for other members of the past administration.
11.10.21. Death Trap
November 10, 2021 23:33 - 57 minutes - 39.9 MBThis week, we examine the tragic events that unfolded at the Astroworld event in Houston, and questions over the safety concerns that existed prior to the mass casualty event.
11.01.21. Compromised
November 02, 2021 17:53 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBThis week, we look at struggles among Democrats to find compromise in advance of a widely anticipated vote on infrastructure and safety net bills.
10.26.21. The Facebook Papers
October 28, 2021 02:30 - 59 minutes - 41.2 MBThis week, we look at the controversy surrounding "The Facebook Papers," what they reveal about the company's policies, and how they are impacting society.
10.18.21. The Great Resignation
October 20, 2021 00:11 - 1 hour - 46.4 MBThis week, we look at how vaccine mandates and other issues related to the coronavirus pandemic are fueling "The Great Resignation."
10.14.21. Cancel-Proof: The Chilling Joke
October 14, 2021 22:34 - 1 hour - 45.7 MBIn this episode, we examine the controversy over comedian Dave Chappelle, whose new Netflix special, "The Closer", has been criticized for its depiction of LGBTQ issues and the trans community.
10.04.21. Polarization for Profit
October 05, 2021 18:50 - 44 minutes - 31.1 MBThis week Facebook is in the hot seat after a whistleblower has alleged the tech giant employs polarization for profit.
09.27.21. Whisperer to the Presidents
September 28, 2021 21:19 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBThis week, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley is the center of attention as the Senate examines the Afghanistan withdrawal.
09.21.21. The Kennedy Legacy
September 21, 2021 22:11 - 48 minutes - 33.8 MBIn this episode, we examine "the Kennedy legacy," and news related to ongoing developments with this iconic American family.
09.13.21. COVID-19: Theories of Origin
September 14, 2021 11:10 - 43 minutes - 30.4 MBIn this special podcast we analyze a recent government report on the theories of origin behind the emergence of COVID-19 in late 2019.
09.06.21. Victory for Whom?
September 07, 2021 15:23 - 44 minutes - 31.2 MBAs the withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Afghanistan concludes, questions linger over how long efforts to retrieve Americans will continue.
08.30.21. Exit Strategy
September 01, 2021 01:20 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBThis week, as the deadline for withdrawal from Afghanistan arrives, we survey the current situation as Biden's exit strategy unfolds overseas, as well as the recent power situation resulting from Hurricane Ida.
08.23.21. Deadlines
August 24, 2021 17:20 - 57 minutes - 39.3 MBThis week, as the deadline for U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan looms nearer, we look at the challenges the Biden Administration faces as the Taliban warns of potential "consequences."
08.16.21. Afghanistan: Withdrawal Syndrome
August 17, 2021 18:04 - 1 hour - 48.6 MBAs chaos erupts in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of the U.S., we analyze the Biden Administration's actions and response to the situation.
08.09.21. Climate Code Red
August 11, 2021 02:19 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MBFollowing the release of a new IPCC report on climate, we look at what experts from around the world have called a "code red" for our planet.
08.02.21. Of Masks and Mandates
August 03, 2021 13:15 - 1 hour - 60.5 MBPublic outcry and confusion ensue after the CDC reverses its public recommendations on wearing masks, and mandates may be on the horizon as President Biden moves toward requiring coronavirus vaccinations among federal employees.
07.26.21. Look at the Numbers
July 27, 2021 17:52 - 56 minutes - 39.3 MBThis week, we look at the numbers as COVID-19 infections rise among America's unvaccinated. As the "Summer Outbreak" ensues, what does the data really say?
07.19.21. Spywary
July 21, 2021 02:33 - 53 minutes - 36.8 MBThis week, we examine the widespread surveillance of journalists with the aid of military spyware, as well recent hacking efforts that led to an official response from the Biden Administration.
07.12.21. Afghanistan: Leaving the Forever War
July 14, 2021 14:29 - 48 minutes - 33.3 MBAs the United States makes its exit from the "Forever War" in Afghanistan, we look at the problems the country may face, and why history shows that choosing to leave is both the "least worst" and the only right choice.
07.05.21. Independence Day
July 05, 2021 22:57 - 49 minutes - 34.5 MBThis week, we examine the foundations of the American celebration of Independence Day, its relationship to 21st-century American politics, and the influence of the coronavirus pandemic.
06.28.21. Strike Two
June 29, 2021 21:34 - 56 minutes - 39.3 MBThis week we examine Joe Biden's second military action since taking office, its similarity to the actions of past administrations, and how this compares with shifting political alliances in our culture and popular dialogue.
06.21.21. The Most Dangerous Scenario
June 22, 2021 14:27 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MBThis week we analyze President Joe Biden's meeting with Vladimir Putin, and what one foreign policy scholar called the "most dangerous scenario."
06.14.21. G7: The Country Club
June 15, 2021 16:27 - 46 minutes - 32 MBWe examine the recent G7 Summit, and the meeting between world leaders over their goals for unifying against threats from Russia and China.
06.07.21. The Rise of Ransomware
June 08, 2021 18:24 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBThis week, with ransomware incidents on the rise, we examine how the world economy can be affected by cybercrime, and what various countries are doing to prevent such attacks.
06.01.21. Conflicting Theories
June 02, 2021 16:52 - 49 minutes - 34.5 MBConflicting theories about the origins of COVID-19 continue to make news, with U.S. politicians pushing for investigations into whether it originated from a lab in Wuhan, China.
05.24.21. State-Sponsored Hijacking
May 25, 2021 17:49 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBControversy ensues over international laws being broken during a "state-sponsored hijacking" by Belarus of a Ryanair commercial airliner carrying a dissident journalist.
05.17.21. Eruption: Israeli–Palestinian Conflict
May 18, 2021 17:45 - 44 minutes - 31.2 MBConflict has erupted again between Israel and Palestine, resulting in Israel's controversial choice in striking a residential building where Hamas operations purportedly were taking place.