The John Batchelor Show

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...

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. 1870

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. 1883 NYC

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. 1910 MILAN

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. 1919

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. 1954

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. 1952

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. 1959

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. 1956

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.

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.

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. 1958

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. 1910 DONNER LAKE

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. SCOTUS1923

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. 1937 SCOTUS

The AI Bubble: Market Reckoning, Safety Concerns, and Productivity Shifts. Brandon Weichert discusses how OpenAI's plan to meet $1 trillion in spending pledges suggests serious bubble talk. This market reckoning will force companies to create marketable products, leading to consolidation, similar to the railroad or dot-com bubbles. Addressing risks from open-source AI, experts propose measures like subscription models and forensics to complicate misuse by bad actors. AI adoption boosts productivity for top performers.

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. 1907 HARRISBURG

Congressional Action Needed for Voting Rights Act Reform Richard Epstein Richard Epstein discusses the Supreme Court arguments concerning the Voting Rights Act of 1965 being used for racial gerrymandering. Epstein argues the issue requires comprehensive legislative reform, not piecemeal court action. He suggests Congress should repeal the 1965 Act and start over with a system that reflects contemporary thinking, although he notes there is no congressional appetite for compromise. 1884 SCOTUS

Corporatism, Rent-Seeking, and the Suffering Consumer Julia Cartwright Julia Cartwright discusses how younger consumers view capitalism negatively due to suffering from corporate practices, distinguishing between capitalism (fine) and corporatism (not fine). Corporatism is the entanglement of government and business, often through rent-seeking (investing in politics for favors, like lobbying). Examples include healthcare lobbying, increased airline flights for officials, and regulatory capture (like the CHIPS and Science Act favoring big tech). 1920 LIMOUSINE

Ephrata Precision Parts as an Economic Bellwether Jim McTague Jim McTague discusses Ephrata Precision Parts, a specialty milling company whose owner, Chuck Daimler, serves 300 customers ranging from aerospace giants to local businesses. Daimler reports that all customers are thriving and placing orders, suggesting the economy is doing very well and is not headed for a recession. 1908 BRADDOCK PA