Advances in medical technology have produced a Covid-19 vaccine in record time, but some of these advances have a dark side. Gene editing technology may end some diseases, but should we interfere with the conception and birth of those who carry certain genes? And what about creating enhanced humans?
Bioethicist Calum MacKellar joins Skye for an important, and somewhat disturbing conversation about the new era of eugenics we are entering. Also this week, the Holy Post crew discusses a new book about Millennials and burnout. What makes Millennials different from the Greatest Generation that endured the Great Depression and WWII? Are they struggling because of a breakdown in family and faith, or because of U.S. economic and political failures? Plus, is there still a place for public shaming? And, hand sanitizer + dog = chaos.
As a millennial who graduated college in 2007 and bought their first home 15 days before the housing bubble burst, I found myself agreeing with everything shared. My husband and I were INCREDIBLY fortunate to graduate without college debt, which we fully recognize was a rare anomaly. Most of my friends had $100,000 (for singles) -$250,000 (for married couples) in college debt for undergrad degrees. When they couldn't get a job with their communications degree, they were all told "go get your masters... THEN you'll DEFINITELY get a job!" Most of my friends are hoping to pay off their undergrad college debt before their kids graduate and head to college in six years.
In my short 13 years post college,…
You guys make it sound like libertarians have ruled U.S. policy ever since Reagan was president. (If only!) Has the safety net has been shredded? Public spending on public welfare is a huge part of state and local budgets, even if you exclude transfers from the federal government (which boost spending even more). Now, could it be more effective? Certainly. https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/cross-center-initiatives/state-and-local-finance-initiative/state-and-local-backgrounders/public-welfare-expenditures Any personal bankruptcy, whatever the cause, is devastating. But is medical care the most significant cause? A careful review suggests the answer is no. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2018/03/26/the-truth-about-medical-bankruptcies/
PS-Haven’t any of these biologists seen Gattica?!? 😱
Did I just hear Skye describe his book as a White Elephant gift?! The conversation about millennials was good; healthcare especially! However, I am a millennial and I also see an undercurrent of dismissing personal responsibility because the circumstances of our coming of age have been difficult. Both can be true at the same time. I do think my generation needs to accept where we have allowed others to enable us, and make some of the hard decisions that are counter-cultural.
Hi Phil, Skye and Christian. I LOVE this podcast!!! I am an American Christian living abroad for the last 16 years through 6 countries. I started off this adventure abroad looking for excitement but now I am looking forward a place that my children can have a stable life as they grow into adulthood. I find the American system broken and like Skye says, “even if you do everything right...’ without a safety net. We live in Denmark right now. I am continuing exasperated by politicians branding Scandinavian welfare system as “socialism”. I only wish there was a bigger group of believers here. Thanks for encouraging me on a weekly basis.