Professor of Philosophy, Columbia College Chicago
Professor of Philosophy at Columbia College Chicago, and author of On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears and Why I Am a Buddhist: No-Nonsense Buddhism with Red Meat and Whiskey
PROFILE
Stephen Asma
Guest
FROM Stephen Asma
To the Point
Avatar: Science Fiction Channels the Culture Wars On its way to becoming the top grossing film of all time, James Cameron's Avatar is already famous for more than its mind-boggling 3-D special effects. It's causing arguments about war and peace, religion, the environment and technology, race relations, patriotism and chain smoking. What is it about what some call a flimsy script and cartoon characters that transforms a sci-fi entertainment into a forum on real-world issues? We talk with critics and fans about the latest Hollywood blockbuster and its influence on culture worldwide.
Recommended
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
Left, Right & Center
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.