Ep 1170. Fri, Dec 21, 2018

The Young Turks Season 1, Episode 1170, which aired on Fri, Dec 21, 2018, covers a range of topics in the fields of politics, social issues, and media.

The episode begins with a discussion about the recent events surrounding the Mueller investigation, focused on President Trump's efforts to discredit the probe. The Young Turks crew goes over the different ways in which Trump has tried to undermine the legitimacy of the investigation, such as making accusations of bias and spreading conspiracy theories. Additionally, they discuss the recent developments around Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort, who both received significant prison sentences due to their involvement in the investigation.

Moving on to other political news, host Cenk Uygur discusses the recent efforts by Republicans to push through controversial appointments and legislation before the end of the year. The focus is on the confirmation of controversial judicial nominee Thomas Farr, which was met with significant backlash due to his track record of supporting voter suppression, and the failed efforts of Republican lawmakers to eliminate protections for gray wolves.

The episode then shifts its focus to social issues, discussing the recent scandal involving popular YouTuber Logan Paul and his insensitive remarks about the LGBTQ+ community. The hosts debate the extent to which Paul should be condemned for his comments, and discuss the broader implications of individuals with large platforms perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

The second half of the episode features a discussion about the state of the media in the United States. Host John Iadarola starts off by examining the ongoing struggle of local news outlets, and the challenges they face in an era dominated by national networks and online platforms. The crew then turns their attention towards the increasing consolidation of media ownership, which they argue has led to a homogenization of perspectives and a decrease in journalistic integrity across the industry.

Finally, the episode wraps up with a segment on the rise of virtual assistants and their potential impact on society. The discussion revolves around the various ways in which artificial intelligence is beginning to affect our daily lives, from personal assistants like Siri and Alexa to the impacts on industries like transportation and healthcare.

Overall, The Young Turks Season 1, Episode 1170 provides a diverse range of perspectives on some of the most pressing political, social, and technological issues of the day. The hosts clearly demonstrate their passion for these topics and provide a nuanced and thoughtful analysis of each one, highlighting the complex challenges facing society at large.