Covid Zero
On china’s covid zero policy, I don’t doubt that living through is probably annoying/restricting. But, would you say that it has been more effective at keeping people from dying of covid? China’s death count has been significantly low compared to the US where over a million people have died. Thoughts on this?
Will the internet change campaign finance?
Do you think that the internet will change the amount of money required to run for office in the future? Right now a huge amount of the money raised by candidates is used for ads on television. As more and more people start to "cut the cord" it seems like those ads will become less relevant and running for office could actually get significantly cheaper.
How Will 4 day Work week impact service workers?
I’ve heard a lot of discussions around 4 day work weeks, and unless I’m mistaken this seems to mostly apply to office workers. Wouldn’t service workers, like people behind the counter at fast food or retail stores, need to pick up the slack for all the non service workers who now have more free time? Do people just plan on staying home and doing nothing all the time while others have to pick up the slack and stay productive? Maybe you’d be able to have enough people to work big retail stores to only have them there 4 days a week with minimal hours and still pay them enough to live, but I’m not sure. I see a big disconnect between people that have had to do that sort of service work in their lives, and those who have not. There is a vibe from these blue collared workers that we are just hanging out and are eager to talk to you and have you ask us personal questions or try to start conversations. I’m trying to do my job that takes a certain state of mind you always have to be careful because people will be friendly only to try and take advantage of you in some way or another. Luckily I’m a man so I don’t really get this but the way people talk to women working behind the counter really makes me angry because the girl working is in a position where they are going to avoid being antagonistic and start any problems or prolong the interaction. Long story short should we abolish service work?
YouTube Ads?
Hi Krystal and Saagar - I have been a member since the start of BP, and I know that one of the promises you made to members was that we would get the show without ads. But, as you remember, that was initially not the case for those watching on YouTube - I was seeing around 6 ads per show despite your requests to YouTube not to have them. Then just recently I realized: The ads are gone!! What happened? Did YouTube drop the ads on BP for fear that Breakers were moving to other platforms? Or maybe this is a change in YouTube's policies? Thanks for the show and for making it ad free.
Cars in the US
Hi K&S! I've been a subscriber for over a year and followed you both since your days on Rising! Inspired by a r/breakingpoints post, Sagaar's Jeep affinity and Krystal living in a rural area, I'm curious about your guys' opinions on city design and making our transportation infrastructure meet the needs of humans, not cars. Many people cannot afford a car and many others are unable to drive. I personally think the lifestyles of like 90% of Americans would greatly benefit from better transportation options that do not involve cars (e.g. bus, train, bike lanes). In particular, roads and cars take up too much valuable space that could be used for housing/storefront, increase air pollution and are very expensive to build and maintain. Can the US re-transform into a society that does not rely so heavily on cars? And would that be desirable? Thank you!