Topic: Essays

David Brooks has left The New York Times after 22 years to join The Atlantic, a move the hosts describe as joining a "left-wing rag." His final column for the Times was a 2,800-word essay on the state of the country, which critics described as rambling and poorly written. The transition marks a significant shift for the prominent conservative columnist.

The discussion turns to "Blue Book" exams as a potential solution to AI-generated cheating in universities. These traditional, live essay tests require students to write by hand in small, blue-covered pamphlets, preventing the use of external digital tools. The hosts recall their own experiences with these exams and question whether modern colleges still utilize them to verify student knowledge in an era of pervasive artificial intelligence.

The hosts discuss the "chimera" nature of the virus and the lack of a natural animal host. One host mentions writing an essay arguing that the virus was a lab accident rather than an intentional biological weapon.

A Bloomberg campaign advisor highlights controversial essays written by Bernie Sanders in the 1970s regarding rape fantasies and childhood sexuality. The hosts discuss how these writings emerged from the "revolutionary thinking" of the sexual revolution era and speculate on their impact if they become a mainstream campaign issue.

Lauren Smith, daughter of a No Agenda knight, received a top grade for her essay and speech on "moral self-licensing." The hosts discuss the concept and apologize for their previous skepticism regarding the academic reception of the topic.

The hosts officially end the 11-11-11 donation drive, jokingly telling listeners to stop donating because it "ruins the show." They remind the audience of the upcoming 11-22-11 palindrome and the 25-word essay contest for free knighthoods. Adam Curry mentions the $1,700 cost for his Range Rover's new suspension as a justification for the show's funding model.