Should the U.S. Be Ruled by a CEO Dictator?
What if the U.S. abandoned democratic governance for a CEO-style dictator — someone running the country like a high-performing company?
This idea is gaining momentum in some policy circles and is also embraced by high-profile Silicon Valley figures. Championed by Curtis Yarvin, a self-described monarchist and founder of the “Dark Enlightenment,” Yarvin is making headlines for his promotion of these beliefs and was even consulted recently by Elon Musk about the formation of his new political party.
He argues that modern democracy has failed and is too slow to meet today’s challenges. He says American history provides examples of unfettered executive power at work. The Dictator CEO, he proposes, would cut through red tape, challenge existing institutions and deliver unprecedented efficiencies.
But critics, like economist and democracy advocate E. Glen Weyl, ask, “At what cost?” Consolidating power under a single leader undermines the core values of democracy fundamental to America’s political system. History is also filled with examples of autocratic leadership leading to economic ruin and catastrophic decision-making. American democracy might be messy, but let’s focus on making it better, not abandoning it.
Should the U.S. embrace the cutthroat efficiency of a dictator CEO, or safeguard its imperfect but resilient democratic system?
With this background, we debate the question: Should the U.S. Be Ruled by a CEO Dictator?
Arguing Yes: Curtis Yarvin, Anti-democracy theorist and Tech Entrepreneur
Arguing No: E. Glen Weyl, Co-Founder of the RadicalxChange Foundation, Plurality Institute, and the Faith, Family and Technology Network
Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates
TikTok in the Classroom: Enhancing or Eroding the Teaching Profession?
It’s Back to School season, and TikTok has been taking a larger role in helping students learn — but should it? Some teachers argue that using TikTok can help make whatever subjects they study more digestible and adaptable to different types of learners. Others call the app distracting and capable of undermining classroom authority and prioritizing entertainment and short attention spans over education. Now we debate: TikTok in the Classroom: Enhancing or Eroding the Teaching Profession?
Enhance: Phil Cook, Education Influencer and High School Chemistry Teacher
Erode: Adrian Dingle, Second Schoolteacher and Education Consultant
Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates
Searching for the First Rock and Roll Song
Is your station searching for a new, free, weekly music program? End your search with “Searching for The First Rock and Roll Song”
PERFECT FOR WEEKENDS OR OVERNIGHT!
From WWOZ in New Orleans comes a truly unique music show featuring great early rock music rarely, if ever, heard on other music programs. A two-decade long staple on WWOZ, uber-knowledgeable Host Jaime Dell’Apa spins records coveted by collectors from the era when rock and roll was emerging but hadn’t yet settled on a definition of itself.
On Searching For The First Rock and Roll Song, listeners will hear music:
- from before rock and roll was domesticated into a commercial music industry.
- when country and western sounded like swing,
- when pop music sounded like rockabilly,
- when rockabilly sounded like rhythm and blues,
- when doo wop sounded like girl groups,
and all those musics sounded an awful lot like what we now call “rock and roll.”
Available: PRX (Auto Download), PRX (Manual Download), AudioPort (1 hr Version), AudioPort (2 hr Version), AudioPort (3 hr Version), & Download
Length: One hour to Three Hours weekly
Cost: FREE
This Summer, Dive into the history of recorded sound!
Sound Beat is a daily, 90-second public radio show that showcases recordings from Syracuse University Libraries’ Belfer Audio Archive, one of the nation’s largest sound archives.
Episodes feature a wide range of recordings from all musical genres, film scores, and great thinkers and political figures such as Albert Einstein and Teddy Roosevelt, and more. Listeners will hear fascinating rare gems, old favorites, and some never heard before recordings.
For more information about Sound Beat, check out our Program Listing
The Best of Broadway and Hollywood
Footlight Parade: Sounds of the American Musical
Public Radio’s Most Popular and Longest Running Broadway and Hollywood Musical Program
Since 1998, Footlight Parade: Sounds of the American Musical has been presenting the best of Broadway and Hollywood, from the early 20th century to current hits: from Gershwin, Berlin and Rodgers & Hammerstein to Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The best of Broadway and Hollywood music including rarely heard recordings.
“Bill Rudman brings musical theater history to life with charm, wit, insight, warmth, convivial chat and a wealth of knowledge”.
Entertaining and insightful backstage stories, anecdotes, and historical perspectives from Host and Producer Bill Rudman, a nationally recognized authority on musical theatre.
“I don’t know which I prefer: the music or your informative and entertaining commentary. BOTH are excellent!”
Exclusive archival interviews with, and in-depth interviews with of such acclaimed artists as lyricist Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof and She Loves Me), composer John Kander (Cabaret and Chicago) and singers Mandy Patinkin and the late Barbara Cook, and many more!
“Bill’s in-depth interviews with all manner of artists provide a permanent, irreplaceable archive.”
Cost: FREE
Length: 56:50
Available: PRX Automated Delivery, Downloads