Mueller Report, Superintelligent Humans, Avenger’s Endgame

Mueller Report Guest: Ryan Vogel, Director of the Center for National Security Studies, Utah Valley University What to do with the report is the question Democrats who control the US House are grappling with now. The redacted 448-page report from Special Counsel Robert Mueller has more nuance than many Democrats were probably hoping for. The contacts between the Trump campaign and Russians in 2016 didn’t amount to “collusion” or “conspiracy,” which is the legal term Mueller uses. But the report also does not completely exonerate President Trump of attempting to obstruct the investigation. Superintelligence Still Doesn’t Equate Wisdom Guest: Moran Cerf, Professor of Neuroscience and Business, Northwestern University The worry with robots and artificial intelligence is usually that they’ll replace us at work. But what if they become us, instead? We could one day be walking around with smart chips in our brains that give us superhuman intelligence.  Shining a Light on Tech Algorithms Guest: Christo Wilson, Associate Professor, Director of the BS in Cybersecurity Program, Northeastern University I love it when Netflix, Amazon or Google recommend just the thing I’m looking for -it’s like having an information and entertainment concierge who can read my mind. But does that computerized concierge really have my best interests at heart? The Marvel Cinematic Universe Guest: Frankie Vanaria, PhD Candidate in The Department of American and New England Studies, Boston University Another big Marvel movie is coming this weekend in which the Avengers are out to, well, avenge the deaths of their superhero friends and a whole lot of regular folks. These films are pure popcorn fun for lots of movie goers. But they’re also increasingly sprinkled with political and social commentary. Black Panther had some very overt themes of racial justice and colonial history. Gender equality and female empowerment run through Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel. How Local Newspapers Influence Voters Guest: Matthew Hitt, Professor of Pol