Monkeypox, Google Antitrust, College Football Spat, Global Food Shortage, Chappelle

The hosts begin with the new virus on the block: monkeypox. They discuss their own perceptions of what’s going on and debate the media coverage of the virus. 

Ravi, Cory, and Rikki update us on what’s happening in Ukraine, including Russia’s shifting war aims and the extent of American aid to support the Ukrainian military. 

Rikki offers her insight into the food shortages we’re seeing around the world right now as a result of the war in Ukraine, mainly in poorer regions of the world that were already battered by years of pandemic disruptions. Ravi lays out some of the potential solutions out there to bridge the shortfalls.

The hosts discuss the heated feud between SEC legends Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher and how their spat illustrates a sense of chaos around college football’s new NIL rules. They then discuss whether the new rules are working as intended, arguing over how to balance compensation for college athletes against the sport’s competitive balance.

Ravi breaks down the bipartisan legislation aiming to break up Google’s ad business, arguing it has some legitimacy to it. Cory and Rikki push back, arguing that the case against Google is harder to make than it might seem.

Ravi, Rikki, and Cory discuss the professed motivations of the man who attacked Dave Chappelle a few weeks ago, and while they acknowledge violence is never okay, they also take a moment to recognize that comedians are not to be insulated from criticism either.

Monkeypox [1:10]

Monkeypox is spreading around the world. What is the disease and how dangerous is it? (CNBC, 05/20)
Monkeypox outbreak is primarily spreading through sex, WHO officials say (CNBC, 05/23)
About Monkeypox (CDC, 11/23/2021)
CDC monitors 6 people in US for possible rare monkeypox, says public ‘should not be concerned’ (CNN, 05/20)
Monkeypox and Smallpox Vaccine Guidance (CDC, 12/02/2019)
‘Everybody Should Be Concerned’ About Monkeypox, Biden Warns (The New York Times, 05/22)
Biden says monkeypox not as concerning as Covid (CNN, 05/23)

Update: Ukraine [5:48]

Why Severodonetsk in eastern Ukraine is key to Russia’s war (The Washington Post, 05/23)
Biden signs $40B Ukraine aid package into law (The Hill, 05/21)
Ukraine rules out any ceasefire deal that involves ceding territory to Russia (The Guardian, 05/22)
Russian soldier jailed for life in first war crimes trial of Ukraine war (Reuters, 05/23)
Conflict in Ukraine’s Donbas: A Visual Explainer (International Crisis Group, 02/28)

Food Shortages [8:11]

The coming food catastrophe (The Economist, 05/19)
From fertilizer to famine: the global food shortage explained (The Week, 04/15)
Here’s why food shortages are unlikely to occur in the U.S. (CNBC, 04/20)
The coming food catastrophe (The Economist, 05/19)

Saban v. Fisher [13:54]

Nick Saban-Jimbo Fisher feud — Coaches, ADs on what happened and what’s next (ESPN, 05/19)
Everything You Need to Know About NIL (Icon Source)
As Coaches Squabble About NIL, Enforcement May Still Be Leagues Away (Sports Illustrated, 05/23)
Big Money Donors Have Stepped Out of the Shadows to Create ‘Chaotic’ NIL Market (Sports Illustrated, 05/02)
Alabama’s Nick Saban denies tampering allegations in recruitment of Tyler Harrell (CBS, 05/12)

Google Anti-Trust [23:26]

The case against Big Tech (Vox, 12/08/2021)
How much longer can Google own the internet? (Vox, 05/20)
Congress Is Close to Cracking Down on Big Tech. But Powerful Obstacles Remain (TIME, 05/22)
Tech antitrust bills’ big foe: the calendar (Axios, 05/05)
How Big Tech lost the antitrust battle with Europe (Financial Times, 03/21) 

Update: Chappelle [35:10]

Accused Dave Chappelle attacker Isaiah Lee reveals why he tackled comedian (New York Post, 05/22)
Dave Chappelle attacker Isaiah Lee breaks his silence and reveals he was ‘triggered’ by jokes about the LGBTQ community and homelessness when he tackled comedian on stage (Daily Mail, 05/22)
Tweet about Chappelle’s Joke (Twitter, 05/21)