A Conversation with Tom Nichols About Donald Trump, "the Madman Theory", and Nuclear War with North Korea

Tom Nichols is the guest on this week’s episode of The Chauncey DeVega Show. He is a professor of national security affairs at the United States Naval War College and also teaches at the Harvard Extension School. He is the author of seven books including “No Use: Nuclear Weapons and U.S. National Security” and “The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why It Matters.”

This is the second time that Dr. Nichols has been a guest on the show.

During this week’s episode of The Chauncey DeVega Show, Tom and Chauncey discuss Donald Trump’s nuclear saber-rattling, “the madman theory”, what would happen if a mentally unhinged president tried to launch America’s nuclear weapons, and the likelihood that the United States goes to war with either Iran or North Korea. Dr. Nichols also highlights some frightening moments when the United States and the former Soviet Union almost attacked each other with nuclear weapons during the Cold War.

Writer and podcaster Alasdair Stuart also sits down at the virtual bar and salon to share his thoughts about Blade Runner 2049. Alasdair and Chauncey critique the film, reflect on the many ways that it can be interpreted, and ponder Blade Runner 2049′s likely sequels–and if they are indeed necessary. Alasdair also tries to convince Chauncey to give the horrible Star Trek: Discovery a second chance.

In this week’s episode, Chauncey DeVega has the cooties and explores the science which justifies wearing an acifidity bag and also shares some insights about Trump’s cult of political personality and how the Great Leader uses empathy to manipulate his sad and dangerous human deplorable foot soldiers. And at the end of this week’s podcast, Chauncey shares three positive and uplifting stories about people having good fortune, children finding a forever family, and human heroes who save their animal friends.