News, Notes, & Podcasts

Saahil Desai reports on the dangers of prediction markets.

From loneliness to suffering—at the very least, you’ll have to admit that we’re covering winter themes. Send your song recommendations to symposiumofsongs@gmail.com!

James Pogue, one of the best journalists writing today, profiles a Washington representative with an unconventional approach.

In a sequel to last week’s episode on friendship, we’re listening to songs about loneliness this week. Note: I make a fairly big error by saying that I'm playing nothing…

Kristin M. Collier contemplates the practice of medicine predicated on a creaturely view of persons.

We’re starting the new year by talking about friendship, that most human of institutions. Send your song recommendations to symposiumofsongs@gmail.com!

I present to you my twenty favorite songs of the year! What did I miss? Email it to me at symposiumofsongs@gmail.com.

In conjunction with my recent FPR article “What Does Christmas Feel Like?” A Symposium of Popular Songs is listening to songs that recall my halcyon Christmases—let’s say 1987-1994, though few…

Antón Barba-Kay articulates the appeal of Curtis Yarvin and diagnoses the very-online irony that marks his rhetoric.

This week, we’re listening to songs about young adults (let’s say 18-35) on A Symposium of Popular Songs. Think of it as a companion piece to our very first episode,…

Ezra Klein wrestles with the limitations of liberalism in the face of big tech efforts to capture users’ attention.

We’re spending some (virtual) time in Los Angeles, this week, as the weather starts to get cold most everywhere else.