Topic: John Le Carre

Luke Harding's book details Edward Snowden's time as a junior analyst for the CIA in Switzerland and his disillusionment with the Obama administration. The narrative of the first meeting in Hong Kong, involving a Rubik's cube and a plastic alligator, is described as having the "cloak and dagger" feel of a spy novel. The hosts remain skeptical of Snowden's "straight-laced" persona compared to typical systems administrators.

Spy novelist John le Carré's comments on intelligence recruitment are analyzed. Le Carré suggests that the British public school system and a natural inclination toward conspiracy make the UK population particularly easy to recruit for espionage.