SHOW SCHEDULE
10-17-25
CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR
THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT COAL-FIRED ELECTRICITY FOR THE AI DATA CENTER BUILD OUT OF 26 GIGAWATTS BY 2035...
1912 COAL BREAKER BOYS
FIRST HOUR
9-915
High-Tech Coal Mining and Its Role in the Future of AI Energy. Salena Zito discusses her visit to a high-tech coal mine 1,200 feet below Pennsylvania, highlighting modern, filtered, and pristine working conditions. The industry offers high-paying, generational jobs, even for those with advanced degrees. Coal, alongside natural gas and nuclear power, is vital for providing the reliable, strong base load energy required by new AI data centers and the defense industry.
915-930
High-Tech Coal Mining and Its Role in the Future of AI Energy. Salena Zito discusses her visit to a high-tech coal mine 1,200 feet below Pennsylvania, highlighting modern, filtered, and pristine working conditions. The industry offers high-paying, generational jobs, even for those with advanced degrees. Coal, alongside natural gas and nuclear power, is vital for providing the reliable, strong base load energy required by new AI data centers and the defense industry
930-945
Supreme Court Poised to Limit Racial Gerrymandering; War Powers Debate on Venezuela. Richard Epstein discusses how the Supreme Court appears ready to limit the use of race in drawing voting districts (racial gerrymandering), reflecting a shift towards colorblind jurisprudence. However, the Court is likely to avoid restricting political gerrymandering. Separately, Professor Epstein argued the president's use of "narcoterrorism" to justify military action in Venezuela is inappropriate, noting that the War Powers Act is often circumvented.
945-1000
Supreme Court Poised to Limit Racial Gerrymandering; War Powers Debate on Venezuela. Richard Epstein discusses how the Supreme Court appears ready to limit the use of race in drawing voting districts (racial gerrymandering), reflecting a shift towards colorblind jurisprudence. However, the Court is likely to avoid restricting political gerrymandering. Separately, Professor Epstein argued the president's use of "narcoterrorism" to justify military action in Venezuela is inappropriate, noting that the War Powers Act is often circumvented.
SECOND HOUR

10-1015
LA/Portland Homeless Crisis and Wildfire Preparedness Debate. Jeff Bliss discusses how California hosts at least 50% of the nation's homeless, with numbers increasing, extending from downtown LA to Malibu. Homeless encampments pose a constant wildfire threat due to warming or arson fires. Developer Rick Caruso successfully protected his Palisades property by proactively investing in brush clearance, equipment, and private fire crews, offering a model for prevention. Portland also faces a severe homeless crisis and high office vacancy.
1015-1030
Saudi Nuclear Ambitions, US Defense Pact, and the SMR Investment Bubble. Henry Sokolski discusses how Saudi Arabia is negotiating a US defense pact while pursuing uranium enrichment capability for nuclear power. The US is reportedly urging South Korea to switch a planned Saudi reactor sale to an American Westinghouse model. Separately, the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) industry is seeing enormous private valuation with zero revenue, signaling a potential financial bubble.
1030-1045
SpaceX Launch Approval, Rocket Lab, and Global Space Industry Updates. Bob Zimmerman discusses how Space Force approved SpaceX's request to double launches to 100 per year and open a second launch site at Vandenberg, despite Coastal Commission opposition. Wall Street views Rocket Lab favorably due to many recent launch contracts, even though it's still developing the Neutron rocket and not yet profitable. Impulse Space shifted focus to a lunar cargo lander, using its Helios tug as a service module, seeking to meet NASA's need for efficient lunar cargo delivery.
1045-1100
SpaceX Launch Approval, Rocket Lab, and Global Space Industry Updates. Bob Zimmerman discusses how Space Force approved SpaceX's request to double launches to 100 per year and open a second launch site at Vandenberg, despite Coastal Commission opposition. Wall Street views Rocket Lab favorably due to many recent launch contracts, even though it's still developing the Neutron rocket and not yet profitable. Impulse Space shifted focus to a lunar cargo lander, using its Helios tug as a service module, seeking to meet NASA's need for efficient lunar cargo delivery.THIRD HOUR
1100-1115
Replaceable You: Skin Grafts, Bioprinting Organs, and the Science of Replacement Anatomy. Mary Roach discusses how third-degree burns destroy regenerative cells, causing severe disfigurement unless patched with allografts (temporary substitutes like cadaver or cod skin). Researchers are attempting to 3D print organs, currently in the "Wright Brothers stage," using specialized bio-ink and support gel. Xenotransplantation involves genetically editing pigs to grow human organs (chimerism) that the body would accept without rejection.
1115-1130
Replaceable You: Skin Grafts, Bioprinting Organs, and the Science of Replacement Anatomy. Mary Roach discusses how third-degree burns destroy regenerative cells, causing severe disfigurement unless patched with allografts (temporary substitutes like cadaver or cod skin). Researchers are attempting to 3D print organs, currently in the "Wright Brothers stage," using specialized bio-ink and support gel. Xenotransplantation involves genetically editing pigs to grow human organs (chimerism) that the body would accept without rejection.
1130-1145
Replaceable You: Skin Grafts, Bioprinting Organs, and the Science of Replacement Anatomy. Mary Roach discusses how third-degree burns destroy regenerative cells, causing severe disfigurement unless patched with allografts (temporary substitutes like cadaver or cod skin). Researchers are attempting to 3D print organs, currently in the "Wright Brothers stage," using specialized bio-ink and support gel. Xenotransplantation involves genetically editing pigs to grow human organs (chimerism) that the body would accept without rejection.
1145-1200
Replaceable You: Skin Grafts, Bioprinting Organs, and the Science of Replacement Anatomy. Mary Roach discusses how third-degree burns destroy regenerative cells, causing severe disfigurement unless patched with allografts (temporary substitutes like cadaver or cod skin). Researchers are attempting to 3D print organs, currently in the "Wright Brothers stage," using specialized bio-ink and support gel. Xenotransplantation involves genetically editing pigs to grow human organs (chimerism) that the body would accept without rejection.
FOURTH HOUR

12-1215
Lancaster County Economy, Consumer Spending Rebound, and Data Center Expansion. Jim McTague discusses how local businesses in Lancaster County, like the Pancake House and Ephrata Precision Parts, show no recession weakness and report booming business. Consumer spending appears to be rebounding, with full shopping carts and aggressive buying observed at Costco and Walmart. Construction on data centers is underway in the county, contributing to economic expansion. Wall Street bubble talk is present, but markets are not yet characterized by widespread froth.
1215-1230
Italian Politics, Journalist Attack, and the History of St. Augustine in Pavia. Lorenzo Fiori discusses how Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was rudely defined as a "courtesan" by a prominent union leader following her diplomatic presence at the Gaza ceasefire signing. Journalist Ranucci, known for investigating politics and mafia-related business, survived a car bomb attack; he has been under guard since 2021. St. Augustine's remains are located in Pavia (south of Milan), moved there due to the LoMBARDY'S king's connection to Milan's Saint Ambrose.
1230-1245
Corporatism vs. Capitalism: Analyzing Rent-Seeking and Regulatory Capture. Julia Cartwright discusses how younger generations often confuse corporatism (entangled government and business) with true capitalism. Rent-seeking involves businesses investing in politics for favors, like healthcare industry lobbying for subsidies. Rent extraction is when politicians threaten costly action to force business compliance (e.g., CAFE standards or tariffs). Solutions include sunsetting subsidies and banning sole-source government procurement.
1245-100 AM
Corporatism vs. Capitalism: Analyzing Rent-Seeking and Regulatory Capture. Julia Cartwright discusses how younger generations often confuse corporatism (entangled government and business) with true capitalism. Rent-seeking involves businesses investing in politics for favors, like healthcare industry lobbying for subsidies. Rent extraction is when politicians threaten costly action to force business compliance (e.g., CAFE standards or tariffs). Solutions include sunsetting subsidies and banning sole-source government procurement.