Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates Extraterrestrials, The British Monarchy, and The Classics This Fall

In the next two months, nonpartisan media platform Intelligence Squared U.S. will host new debates on questions like “Should We Search for Extraterrestrial Life?,” “Is the British Monarchy Still Relevant?,” “Should We Separate Art from the Artist?,” “Does Money Buy Happiness,” and “Are the Classics Overrated?” The Classics debate will be taped on September 22 at The Atlantic Festival in DC and continues Intelligence Squared’s return to in-person events. They recently debated “Can Humans Adapt to Climate Change?” before a record audience in Richmond, Virginia, and are hosting upcoming live events at the Homeland Security Experts Group on October 25, debating Disinformation, and at YPO Edge in early November, debating “Is Globalization a Net Benefit?”

Intelligence Squared, which officially kicked off its new weekly release cycle on podcast and public radio last month, features new debates and conversations furthering the organization’s mission of combating extreme polarization by exposing audiences to smart arguments across a range of timely issues. The organization also just won Adweek's 2022 Podcast of the Year Award for "Best Podcast Event," for a recent debate asking "Is Cancel Culture Toxic?"

See below for the Intelligence Squared U.S. debate lineup through October. Episodes come out every Friday in podcast apps and air soon after on a range of public radio stations across the country. Check iq2us.org for the latest schedule and debaters as they are announced.

September 9: “Should We Search for Extraterrestrial Life?”

For decades, scientists around the world have dedicated their lives — and research dollars — to one question: Is there anyone else out there? In the early 1970s, NASA joined the hunt with its own program to search for extraterrestrial life, or SETI for short. When that was defunded by Congress, private efforts took hold. But just what have decades of SETI brought us? And how should we approach the search in those to come? For SETI’s supporters, finding other intelligent life in the cosmos is a fundamentally human endeavor. It probes our understanding of the cosmos, what it means to live and survive on Earth and beyond, and just where our species fits into the greater universe. But others warn that SETI is a distraction from other scientific endeavors that, at best, diverts critical resources and, at worst, will open a can of worms humanity isn’t ready to deal with.

September 16: “Is the British Monarchy Still Relevant?”

For nearly three-quarters of a century, Queen Elizabeth II sat on high as Britain’s monarch. With her death, however, new political momentum is building that casts fresh doubts about the future of the British Crown. Several former British colonies, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Jamaica, have debated severing ties, while Republican campaigners in Britain now see opportunity to reassess what it means to have a monarchy without offending a popular queen. King Charles III is far less beloved. And after 1,200 years, the throne to which he has ascended is more uncertain now than at any time in recent memory. The question of the monarchy’s relevance, as such, has reemerged in the public spotlight. Those who argue in favor of it say constitutional monarchies serve a moderating force in national politics, support minority interests, and provide continuity in leadership. It is human nature, they say, to have a single leader at the helm, no matter how ceremonial. Those against it point to the legacy of Britain’s checkered colonial past, claims of corruption and misuse of taxpayer funds, and persistent scandal. 

September 23: “Should We Separate Art from the Artist?”

It turns out your favorite artist is a monster. Say they committed murder, advocated genocide, or engaged in some other act so outside the scope of a dignified, respectable society that it cannot be redeemed. What now? Must you throw the art out with the artists? It's a question at the heart of both pop culture and high art critique. For some, a work of art is an entity in itself. It should be appreciated and revered without regard to the life of its creator. If we disregard all great art for the sins of the artists, we risk losing many of the world's greatest cultural touchstones and masterpieces. But for others, the act of supporting a work of art translates directly into affirming its creator's evil acts.

September 30: “Is Amazon Good for Small Business?” (Re-Release)

Last year, more than 1.9 million small and medium-sized businesses participated in Amazon’s marketplace, which accounted for some 60 percent of Amazon's retail sales. But was it ultimately good for them? On one hand, Amazon opens up a truly global market to smaller retailers. It also offers massive logistics support — such as processing payments, storing inventory, and shipping. But on the other, the tech giant's immense market power makes it a gatekeeper between retailers and consumers. That often means hefty fees for prime placement or what some sellers complain are the costs of superfluous services. Critics also rail against Amazon’s use of its own private label brands that can be weaponized to undermine competitors. 

October 7: “Should We Use Gene Editing to Make Better Babies?” (Re-Release)

A genetic disease runs in your family. Your doctor tells you that, should you wish to have a child, that child is likely to also carry the disease. But new gene-editing technology could change your fate. It could ensure that your baby is -- and remains -- healthy. Even more, it could potentially make sure your grandchildren are also free of the disease. What do you do? Now, imagine it's not a rare genetic disorder, but a general illness, or eye color, cognitive ability, or athleticism. Do you opt into this new world of genetically edited humans? 

October 14: “Agree to Disagree: Cyber Wars” (Re-Release)

With cyber threats and ransomware on the rise globally, the Biden administration has enlisted America’s tech titans to help blunt their effects. Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, are all in discussions with Washington over how to strengthen the nation’s critical infrastructure defenses against a growing array of both private and state-sponsored attacks. Skeptics question just how much can be achieved, given how connected U.S. society has become. But solutions are emerging, from lifting the veil of cryptocurrencies, a favored transaction among hackers, to making the paying of ransoms illegal. 

October 21: “Does Money Buy Happiness?”

In 2010, a pair of Nobel Laureates determined in a wide-ranging study that increases in emotional wellbeing correlate with income rises. But, they determined, only up to a point. Beyond an annual income of $75,000, an individual’s emotional wellbeing does not correlate with increasing income. And yet the satisfaction a person garners when they evaluate their life does. So … does money buy happiness? Those who argue “yes” point to that 2010 study, but also identity more recent research that suggests money matters more, and at higher levels, than previously considered. Potential reasons include the following: higher income tends to evoke a greater sense of control over one’s life, while travel, good food, security, and varied experiences add to both enjoyment and overall satisfaction. Not so fast, say others. They point to research that shows how income and wealth often fail to safeguard against other equally influential concerns, such as anxieties about their children and other relationships. They also note polling research that suggests an individual’s “greatest aspirations” often reside outside of the money they make. 

October 28: “Are the Classics Overrated?” 

Socrates is on trial… again. In fact, a growing chorus of voices is arguing that reverence to the classics is not only flawed, but also enmeshed with long standing power imbalances. Princeton University said its “own department bears witness to the place of Classics in the long arc of systemic racism.” Others claim that such literature has been historically weaponized to justify systems of control, often to the exclusion and oppression of non-white and non-European cultures. Still others express caution. The study of Plato, Homer, and Aristotle, they contend, engenders just the sort of critical thinking universities are meant to foster. Inspiration, they add, can be found from a variety of sources, and not just from figures who bear physical resemblance to those who are inspired. In fact, celebrated African American authors, such as Toni Morrison, studied the classics, and drew empowerment from them. Furthermore, they argue, underprivileged students indeed benefit from understanding the very literature that influences the society in which they live. 

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED U.S. DEBATES (IQ2US)
Intelligence Squared U.S. was founded to address a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. Through its award-winning live debates and associated programming, the nonprofit organization serves as a model for responsible media in a new age - fair, intelligent, nonpartisan - while restoring critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to public discourse. Recognized as "Best Podcast Event of 2022" by Adweek, Intelligence Squared U.S. reaches millions through multi-platform distribution, including public radio, podcasts, video live streaming, newsletters, interactive digital content, and on-demand apps. With over 220 debates and counting, plus additional podcast and video content, the organization has encouraged the public to "think twice" on a wide range of provocative topics for over a decade. Intelligence Squared U.S. was initiated by The Rosenkranz Foundation, which continues to provide major support.

For more information on Intelligence Squared U.S., please contact Ray Padgett (raypadgett@shorefire.com) or Mark Satlof (msatlof@shorefire.com) at Shore Fire Media.