Words & Numbers

Latest Episodes:

Members: Unintended Consequences - Join CiVL.COM Nov 02, 2025

Show notes

Words & Numbers Live is a members only series exclusive to CiVL.com in which Antony and James discuss politics, philosophy, and economics, and invite listeners for a live Q&A session. To participate, subscribe at CiVL.com, where you can see what lectures we have coming up, and access all of our Words & Numbers content.

Unintended consequences arise when decision makers impose decisions on people and those people react in ways the decision makers didn’t anticipate. Unintended consequences can’t be fixed through better decision making because the problem doesn’t arise from the decision maker. They arise from the fact that people are being forced to behave in a way they’d rather not behave. We'll walk through myriad examples of well-intended laws and regulations that resulted in unintended consequences that either reversed or mitigated the policy makers’ intentions.

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Episode 468: Shut It Down Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we examine how Americans view government power and economic responsibility during another federal shutdown. We discuss growing distrust of federal authority, confusion over who holds real power, and how political brinkmanship creates real-world consequences such as missed paychecks, grounded flights, and suspended food aid. We cover the ethics of welfare and workfare, the balance between private charity and public assistance, and the economic effects of shutdowns, tariffs, and education spending. Together, these issues reveal how political dysfunction continues to weaken public trust and fiscal stability.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:30 The Myth of Hard Work and the American Dream

01:58 Capitalism vs. Socialism

03:41 Public Distrust in Federal Power

06:43 Trump’s Tariffs and the Economics of Uncertainty

09:56 Trump Derangement Syndrome

12:42 Do Billionaires Really Hoard Wealth?

19:18 Foolishness of the Week: Arizona’s $80 Million Stadium

22:58 Education Spending and Misplaced Government Priorities

25:20 The Real Cost of a Government Shutdown

29:13 Welfare Reform and the Ethics of Government Aid

32:40 Private Charity vs. Public Assistance

35:05 Flight Delays Due to Shutdown and Thanksgiving

39:17 Who Eats the Losses of a Shutdown?

45:31 Healthcare Costs, Subsidies, and Political Optics

49:09 How Shutdowns Expose Government Dysfunction

51:12 How Will the Shutdown End?

57:01 No Happy End in Sight

59:14 Dream Podcast Guests and Conclusion

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Episode 467: The Sound of Money Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss Denmark’s proposal to grant citizens ownership of their face, voice, and likeness to combat AI deepfakes, and the ethical and legal implications of personal identity rights in the digital age. We highlight the “foolishness of the week” involving tariffs and political overreaction to a Canadian ad campaign, and explore the concept of sound money with guest Jp Cortez of the Sound Money Defense League. The conversation covers gold and silver as currency, the consequences of fiat money and inflation, and how monetary policy shapes economic freedom, government power, and personal responsibility.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:27 Denmark's Copyright Law

02:39 AI Deepfakes and Property Rights

05:10 Unintended Consequences of the Law

08:29 The Ethical Implications of AI Deepfakes

10:47 Foolishness of the Week: Reagan's AI Ad

12:16 Trump’s Reaction to the Reagan Ad

15:01 Introduction to Jp Cortez and Sound Money Defense League

15:25 Re-monetizing Gold and Silver

17:09 Sound Money Index Explained

19:04 Challenges with the US Dollar

21:28 Gold's Stability and Historical Context

26:34 The Role of States in Sound Money

30:25 Practical Implications of Sound Money

37:24 The Moral and Ethical Case for Sound Money

42:12 Congress’s Role in Taxation

46:28 Sound Money as a Safeguard Against Failed Government

48:05 Global Trends in Gold and Silver

51:05 The Meaning of the Price of Gold

53:39 The Impact of Monetary Policy on Poverty

55:49 Why Gold Has Stood the Test of Time

01:00:07 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Members: The Knowledge Problem - Join CiVL.COM Oct 26, 2025

Show notes

We don’t “know” nearly as much as we think we do, and this causes all kinds of political problems. How do we come to know things, and what does that mean in terms of our goals and plans?

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Episode 466: Elephants and Christmas Trees Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we examine new polling on tax policy and the debate over taxing the rich, analyzing how effective tax rates and government spending affect deficit reduction. We discuss a breakthrough in medical innovation that has helped restore sight to patients with macular degeneration, and highlight the growing problem of political crassness in this week’s foolishness. We address a listener question on state pension reform and the inefficiencies of public bureaucracy, and explore how economic incentives influence behavior in areas such as conservation, resource management, and everyday decision-making.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:25 Taxing the Rich to Reduce Federal Debt

09:06 The Problem with Corporate Taxes

11:22 The Only Solution to the Spending Problem

12:33 A Cure for Blindness

15:25 Karoline Leavitt’s “Your Mom” Joke

18:03 Trump’s No Kings Protest AI Video

19:57 Municipal Workers Held Captive by State Pension Systems

23:16 Perverse Incentives Sustain Bureaucratic Systems

29:33 The Human Drive to Utilize vs. Cultivate Resources

35:38 The Consequences and Dangers of Internet Dependence

38:57 The Fragility of Internet Infrastructure

41:20 Conclusion

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Episode 465: No More Karens Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we examine the effectiveness of political protest in the wake of the No Kings demonstrations, new polling regarding Trump’s approval rating among different voting demographics, and the prospects of the president’s removal from office. We discuss a case under consideration by the Supreme Court regarding marijuana usage and gun ownership, and the implications that arise from infringement on liberties. We also dive into a case regarding a Karen who sued her neighbor over the smell of marijuana, and relate it to many other problems currently plaguing our society.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:29 The Effectiveness of Protests

05:54 The No Kings Protests

07:01 Removing Trump From Office

10:44 Trump’s Approval Rating Poll

14:35 Supreme Court Considering Case on Marijuana Use and Gun Ownership

17:12 Rights and Limits in The Constitution

20:58 The Potential Implications of a 2nd Amendment Ruling

23:23 Karen Sues Over Marijuana Smell

29:37 Masks and Other Petty Civil Disagreements

34:22 The Pronoun Debate

36:32 Making Demands of Our Neighbors

39:11 The Value of Community and the Necessity of Integration

40:39 The Benefits of Compromise

44:26 Human Respect and Conclusions

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Members: Human Respect & Societal Wealth - Join CiVL.COM Oct 19, 2025

Show notes

The foundation of a healthy society, regardless of the economic or political structure is human respect. When people respect each other because we are all equal in dignity, institutions emerge that reflect and promote that respect. We believe that societies that embrace human respect will necessarily also tend toward political and economic freedom. Taken to the extreme, a society in which each person truly embraces respect for himself and for every other person may find no need for government at all.

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Episode 464: The Ghost of Nixon Past Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we examine the complexities of opting out of social security, the implications of the US passport's changing status, and the potential consequences of AI policy shifts. We explore the historical context of economic policies, and the role of government in market distortions, comparing and contrasting the current administration’s policies with those of former administrations.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:28 Opting Out of Social Security

07:31 US Passport and International Travel

13:35 AI Policy Shifts and Implications

26:40 Historical Perspectives on Nixon’s Presidency31:09 Price Controls and Economic Impact

41:15 Trade War with China and Tariffs

44:10 Comparing Nixon’s Economy to Today’s

51:07 The Political Benefit of Higher Tax Rates and The Tax Code

53:49 Comparing Trump to Nixon, Reagan, and FDR

57:42 Lessons About Market Distortions

59:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Episode 463: Weisswashing the Media Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss the complexities of the current economic landscape, including the soaring price of gold, the dichotomy between economic and financial markets, and the impact of consumer sentiment. We explore the role of journalism in society, focusing on Bari Weiss's new position at CBS News and her principles for journalism, as well as the unhinged reactions to her new mission for the company.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:25 Gold Prices and Economic Insights

03:41 Financial Markets vs. Economic Reality

07:22 Trump’s Plan to Send Checks to All Americans

08:38 Kristi Noem’s Complaints About the “Warzone” of Chicago

12:44 Super Bowl Halftime Show

20:30 Bari Weiss Named Editor-in-chief of CBS News

22:18 Bari Weiss’ 10 Core Journalistic Values

34:52 CBS Employee Reactions

41:15 Bari Weiss and Journalism's Future

45:20 Conclusion and Reflections

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Episode 462: Rolling with Life’s Punches Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss the latest advancements in Alzheimer's research, the societal implications of Social Security, and the unexpected turns life can take. We explore the balance between freedom and responsibility, the evolving nature of folk wisdom, and the importance of resilience and courage in navigating life's challenges. We also break down the role of government in personal savings and the impact of societal norms on individual choices.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:28 Response to Our Social Security Proposal

02:16 Social Security and Personal Responsibility

12:12 Alzheimer's Research Breakthroughs

14:26 AI-generated Lawsuits for Outsourced OnlyFans Responses

20:31 Life's Unexpected Turns and Necessity of Resilience

23:44 The Virtue of Courage

24:51 Embracing Change and Personal Growth

31:19 Evolving Folk Wisdom and Societal Norms

35:00 Re-evaluating Homeownership

41:24 Conservatives, Liberals, and Societal Progress

44:49 The Golden Rule and Ethical Living