http://www.npr.org/iq Copyright 2007 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 en Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates bring Oxford-style debate to America - one motion, one moderator, two panelists for the motion and two against. From clean energy and the financial crisis, to the Middle East and the death of mainstream media, Intelligence Squared U.S. brings together the world's leading authorities on the day's most important issues. Join the debate online and cast your vote for each topic at www.iq2us.org. NPR,NPR,Intelligence Squared,Washington,District of Columbia,Morning Edition,All Things Considered,Fresh Air NPR no http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/icon_510184.jpg http://www.npr.org/iq Tue, 14 May 2013 10:24:00 -0400 The Food and Drug Administration, the oldest comprehensive consumer protection agency in the U.S. federal government, is charged with protecting the public health.  Under this mandate, it regulates drugs and medical devices for their safety and effectiveness.  But is it a failing mandate?  It’s long been argued that the FDA’s long and costly approval processes stifle innovation and keep life-changing treatments from the market.  But the question remains: when it comes to public health, is it ever okay to sacrifice safety for speed?

]]> Tue, 14 May 2013 10:24:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/iq http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/510184/183902054/npr_183902054.mp3 The Food and Drug Administration, the oldest comprehensive consumer protection agency in the U.S. federal government, is charged with protecting the public health.  Under this mandate, it regulates drugs and medical devices for their safety and effectiveness.  But is it a failing mandate?  It’s long been argued that the FDA’s long and costly approval processes stifle innovation and keep life-changing treatments from the market.  But the question remains: when it comes to public health, is it ever okay to sacrifice safety for speed?

]]> npr,intelligence,fda,debate,squared,NPR,NPR,Intelligence Squared,Washington,District of Columbia,Morning Edition,All Things Considered,Fresh Air 50:37 no NPR http://www.npr.org/ 2012 was a disappointing year for Republicans. The failure to win key swing states in the presidential election and surprising losses in the House and Senate have prompted some reflection. Was their embrace of small government, low taxes, and a strong conservative stance on social issues at odds with shifting American demographics? Or did the GOP embrace the right platform, but the wrong candidates?

]]> Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:54:35 -0400 http://www.npr.org/iq http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/510184/178615873/npr_178615873.mp3 2012 was a disappointing year for Republicans. The failure to win key swing states in the presidential election and surprising losses in the House and Senate have prompted some reflection. Was their embrace of small government, low taxes, and a strong conservative stance on social issues at odds with shifting American demographics? Or did the GOP embrace the right platform, but the wrong candidates?

]]> NPR,NPR,Intelligence Squared,Washington,District of Columbia,Morning Edition,All Things Considered,Fresh Air 50:37 no NPR http://www.npr.org/ The first attempt at establishing a national minimum wage, a part of 1933’s sweeping National Industrial Recovery Act, was struck down by the Supreme Court in 1935. But in 1938, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law a minimum hourly wage of 25 cents—$4.07 in today’s dollars. Three-quarters of a century later, we are still debating the merits of this cornerstone of the New Deal. Do we need government to ensure a decent paycheck, or would low-wage workers and the economy be better off without its intervention?

]]> Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:54:38 -0400 http://www.npr.org/iq http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/510184/176671173/npr_176671173.mp3 The first attempt at establishing a national minimum wage, a part of 1933’s sweeping National Industrial Recovery Act, was struck down by the Supreme Court in 1935. But in 1938, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law a minimum hourly wage of 25 cents—$4.07 in today’s dollars. Three-quarters of a century later, we are still debating the merits of this cornerstone of the New Deal. Do we need government to ensure a decent paycheck, or would low-wage workers and the economy be better off without its intervention?

]]> intelligence,debate,squared,minimum,wage,NPR,NPR,Intelligence Squared,Washington,District of Columbia,Morning Edition,All Things Considered,Fresh Air 0:00 no NPR http://www.npr.org/ It’s often taken for granted that America needs a strong dollar.  When the value of the U.S. dollar is strong relative to other currencies, it becomes attractive to investors and allows Americans to buy foreign goods and services cheaply.  But in times of recession, are we better off with a weak dollar that stimulates U.S. manufacturing by making our goods cheaper and more competitive?  Or will the loss of purchasing power and currency manipulation abroad, offset the potential gains?

]]> Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:33:24 -0400 http://www.npr.org/iq http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/510184/175054886/npr_175054886.mp3 It’s often taken for granted that America needs a strong dollar.  When the value of the U.S. dollar is strong relative to other currencies, it becomes attractive to investors and allows Americans to buy foreign goods and services cheaply.  But in times of recession, are we better off with a weak dollar that stimulates U.S. manufacturing by making our goods cheaper and more competitive?  Or will the loss of purchasing power and currency manipulation abroad, offset the potential gains?

]]> intelligence,us,forbes,economy,dollar,squared,NPR,NPR,Intelligence Squared,Washington,District of Columbia,Morning Edition,All Things Considered,Fresh Air 0:00 no NPR http://www.npr.org/ Imagine a world free of genetic diseases, where parents control their offspring’s height, eye color and intelligence.  The science may be closer than you think.  Genes interact in ways that we don’t fully understand and there could be unintended consequences, new diseases that result from our tinkering.  But even if the science could be perfected, is it morally wrong?  Would it lead to eugenics and a stratified society where only the rich enjoy the benefits of genetic enhancement?  Or would the real injustice be depriving our children of every scientifically possible opportunity?

]]> Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:33:21 -0500 http://www.npr.org/iq http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/510184/172708907/npr_172708907.mp3 Imagine a world free of genetic diseases, where parents control their offspring’s height, eye color and intelligence.  The science may be closer than you think.  Genes interact in ways that we don’t fully understand and there could be unintended consequences, new diseases that result from our tinkering.  But even if the science could be perfected, is it morally wrong?  Would it lead to eugenics and a stratified society where only the rich enjoy the benefits of genetic enhancement?  Or would the real injustice be depriving our children of every scientifically possible opportunity?

]]> NPR,NPR,Intelligence Squared,Washington,District of Columbia,Morning Edition,All Things Considered,Fresh Air 0:00 no NPR http://www.npr.org/ Over the summer of 2012, despite increased international pressure and economic sanctions, Iran doubled the number of nuclear centrifuges installed in its underground Fordow site, stopping just short of the capacity to produce nuclear fuel.   President Obama has rejected Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s call to draw a “red line” that would trigger U.S. military action.  But what would the costs and benefits of military action be?  Can Israel live with a nuclear Iran, or could the time be near for a pre-emptive strike?

]]> Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:07:35 -0500 http://www.npr.org/iq http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/510184/170019221/npr_170019221.mp3 Over the summer of 2012, despite increased international pressure and economic sanctions, Iran doubled the number of nuclear centrifuges installed in its underground Fordow site, stopping just short of the capacity to produce nuclear fuel.   President Obama has rejected Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s call to draw a “red line” that would trigger U.S. military action.  But what would the costs and benefits of military action be?  Can Israel live with a nuclear Iran, or could the time be near for a pre-emptive strike?

]]> iran,nuclear,npr,intelligence,israel,debate,squared,NPR,NPR,Intelligence Squared,Washington,District of Columbia,Morning Edition,All Things Considered,Fresh Air 0:00 no NPR http://www.npr.org/ On the fundamental question--evolution or creation?--Americans are on the fence. According to one survey, while 61% of Americans believe we have evolved over time, 22% believe this evolution was guided by a higher power, with another 31% on the side of creationism. For some, modern science debunks many of religion's core beliefs, but for others, questions like "Why are we here?" and "How did it all come about?" can only be answered through a belief in the existence of God. Can science and religion co-exist?

]]> Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:21:46 -0500 http://www.npr.org/iq http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/510184/166965147/npr_166965147.mp3 On the fundamental question--evolution or creation?--Americans are on the fence. According to one survey, while 61% of Americans believe we have evolved over time, 22% believe this evolution was guided by a higher power, with another 31% on the side of creationism. For some, modern science debunks many of religion's core beliefs, but for others, questions like "Why are we here?" and "How did it all come about?" can only be answered through a belief in the existence of God. Can science and religion co-exist?

]]> science,religion,intelligence,debate,squared,NPR,NPR,Intelligence Squared,Washington,District of Columbia,Morning Edition,All Things Considered,Fresh Air 0:00 no NPR http://www.npr.org/ It was 1971 when President Richard Nixon declared a "war on drugs." $2.5 trillion dollars later, drug use is half of what it was 30 years ago, and thousands of offenders are successfully diverted to treatment instead of jail. And yet, 22 million Americans-9% of the population-still uses illegal drugs, and with the highest incarceration rate in the world, we continue to fill our prisons with drug offenders. Decimated families and communities are left in the wake. Is it time to legalize drugs or is this a war that we're winning?

]]> Sat, 24 Nov 2012 12:29:21 -0500 http://www.npr.org/iq http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/510184/165818976/npr_165818976.mp3 It was 1971 when President Richard Nixon declared a "war on drugs." $2.5 trillion dollars later, drug use is half of what it was 30 years ago, and thousands of offenders are successfully diverted to treatment instead of jail. And yet, 22 million Americans-9% of the population-still uses illegal drugs, and with the highest incarceration rate in the world, we continue to fill our prisons with drug offenders. Decimated families and communities are left in the wake. Is it time to legalize drugs or is this a war that we're winning?

]]> intelligence,us,drugs,marijuana,squared,legalization,NPR,NPR,Intelligence Squared,Washington,District of Columbia,Morning Edition,All Things Considered,Fresh Air 0:00 no NPR http://www.npr.org/ How do we fix the economy? The U.S. government's budget deficit is nearing a trillion dollars for the fourth straight year and unemployment remains high. With the Bush-era tax cuts set to expire at the end of 2012, what is the best move for continued economic recovery? Are the nation's wealthiest paying their fair share, or should tax cuts be extended to everyone in the name of job creation? Debaters include Romney's economic supervisor, Glenn Hubbard, economist Arthur Laffer, former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich and economist Mark Zandi.  

]]> Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:08:40 -0400 http://www.npr.org/iq http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/510184/163905927/npr_163905927.mp3 How do we fix the economy? The U.S. government's budget deficit is nearing a trillion dollars for the fourth straight year and unemployment remains high. With the Bush-era tax cuts set to expire at the end of 2012, what is the best move for continued economic recovery? Are the nation's wealthiest paying their fair share, or should tax cuts be extended to everyone in the name of job creation? Debaters include Romney's economic supervisor, Glenn Hubbard, economist Arthur Laffer, former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich and economist Mark Zandi.  

]]> rich,intelligence,economy,tax,squared,romney,NPR,NPR,Intelligence Squared,Washington,District of Columbia,Morning Edition,All Things Considered,Fresh Air 0:00 no NPR http://www.npr.org/ Just because we can extend life, should we? Two teams of debaters are arguing for and against this motion. The U.S. is expected to spend $2.8 trillion on health care in 2012. If health care is a scarce resource, limited by its availability and our ability to pay for it, should government step in to ration care? In other words, how much is an extra month of life worth?

]]> Tue, 16 Oct 2012 10:14:21 -0400 http://www.npr.org/iq http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/510184/163001392/npr_163001392.mp3 Just because we can extend life, should we? Two teams of debaters are arguing for and against this motion. The U.S. is expected to spend $2.8 trillion on health care in 2012. If health care is a scarce resource, limited by its availability and our ability to pay for it, should government step in to ration care? In other words, how much is an extra month of life worth?

]]> of,life,intelligence,health,debate,end,care,medicare,squared,ration,NPR,NPR,Intelligence Squared,Washington,District of Columbia,Morning Edition,All Things Considered,Fresh Air 0:00 no NPR http://www.npr.org/