Intelligence Squared

Agree to Disagree: Is Meritocracy Overrated?

The hereditary lottery, in many democracies, has effectively been replaced by a system in which talent, grit, and ability are meant to determine success. Yet, amidst income inequality and legacy of racism, many wonder whether meritocracy works.

Do We Need Vaccine Passports?

Will you need a digital passport to prove that you’ve been vaccinated? The idea is already being tested in Israel and governments around the world, but is society really ready to compromise privacy in the name of public health?

Is It Time for Slavery Reparations?

Dealing with the relics of slavery on American history is part of the national dilemma. Featuring Cornell William Brooks, Randall LeRoy Kennedy, and Intelligence Squared U.S. host John Donvan.

Was the Global Financial System Better Prepared for the Pandemic Than It Was In 2008?

With the emergence of a global pandemic, this has put the debater’s arguments to the ultimate test – whose claims have been vindicated by this unprecedented event?

Will Coronavirus Reshape the World Order in China's Favor?

How might coronavirus reshape geopolitics? For some, the answer is clear: China is on the rise.

Has the Electoral College Outlived Its Usefulness?

Ideas & Inspiration

How do good ideas and persuasive arguments change the world? In this episode, host John Donvan speaks with TED curator Chris Anderson about how bringing people together to share new and innovative ideas will shape our collective future.

Has Europe Declared War with American Tech Companies?

European regulators are taking on American technology companies, including Apple, Facebook, and Google, in a big way. Is Brussels waging war against Silicon Valley?

Is Parenting Overrated?

What shapes us more: our DNA, or the way we’re raised? This debate, commonly recognized as “nature versus nurture,” has drawn disagreement for thousands of years. The debaters are Roslyn Layton, Marietje Schaake, Berin Szóka, and Ramesh Srinivasan.