In this episode of Data Nation, economist Dr. Dave Donaldson joins us to explore how data shapes U.S. tariff policy. The discussion focuses on why Americans are skeptical of tariffs, how different industries are impacted by trade protections, and how these choices reflect broader social and political values. In this episode, Dr. Donaldson gives us further insight on whether recent shifts in trade policy are driven by economics or politics. We also look at how uncertainty around tariffs affects the economy and what smart, data-informed policy might look like moving forward.
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Immigration by the Numbers: What the Data Really Says
In this episode of Data Nation, economist Giovanni Peri and political scientist Margaret Peters join us to explore the evolving landscape of U.S. immigration and the data that shapes it. The discussion covers key issues like the economic impact of immigration on native-born workers, the role of wealth in shaping immigration policy, and the accuracy of immigration data. Peri and Peters share insights on how immigration affects wages, job markets, and public opinion, while examining the limitations of current immigration data and the misinformation it can fuel. Together, we unpack the myths, policies, and political pressures surrounding immigration, and what the numbers truly reveal.
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Jillian Michaels: Exposing the Truth About our Food and Weight Loss
In this episode of Data Nation, fitness expert Jillian Michaels joins us to explore the complex world of food safety, nutrition, and health. The discussion covers critical topics like hidden food chemicals, misleading food labels, calorie tracking challenges, and the controversial rise of weight loss medications like Ozempic. Michaels provides insights into the food industry's manipulation of ingredients, the potential health risks of processed foods, and the broader implications of chemical additives on chronic diseases.
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Rising Tensions and Sea Levels: Advancing Extreme Weather Policy and Technology
Today on Data Nation, we are speaking with Kerry Emanuel and Kelvin Droegemeier to better understand extreme weather prevention and technology. Together, we’ll explore extreme weather displacement, changing weather conditions, and the legislation behind natural disaster procedures and measures. With Kerry Emanuel’s expertise in meteorology and extreme weather prediction as well as Kelvin Droegemeier’s legislation work as the Former Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, today’s episode will provide insightful and credible conversation on this topic. With millions of Americans at risk from climate change, it is crucial to understand where laws and technology are shifting in the world of extreme weather events.
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Money, Sports, and Data: The World of College Athletics
In this episode, we dive into the rapidly evolving world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) with Michael Schwimer, CEO of Big League Advantage and Alabama Men’s Basketball’s secret weapon to making it to the Final Four for the first time in school history. First, we explore the origins of NIL, the NCAA’s initial resistance, and the mechanics of NIL deals, including how collectives operate. Schwimer shares insights on the opportunities and pitfalls of NIL and the long-term implications of NIL for athletes, especially female athletes. Secondly, we dive into how data analytics can revolutionize roster-building in the NIL era. Schwimer explains how Big League Advantage is shaping data science in college athletics, and he offers a behind-the-scenes look at the thought process that was behind helping Alabama's Men’s Basketball team reach the Final Four with minimal NIL spending. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the intersection of sports, money, and data in the collegiate world.
We face many overwhelming challenges in America today: systemic racism, data privacy, and political misinformation. These are big problems, and there are a lot of opinions and ideas on how to fix them. Scholars and industry experts often disagree on how to find solutions. So, how can we find the right way to move forward? We let the data speak for itself. Join hosts Liberty Vittert and Munther Dahleh as they gather data and get the facts about today’s most pressing problems to find out: are solutions even possible? They’ll investigate with MIT professors dedicated to researching these issues, and talk with the people on the ground encountering these problems every day so that we can find the best solutions that triumph over these challenges and solve America’s biggest problems.
Data Nation is a production of MIT's Institute for Data, Systems, and Society.
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