Armstrong & Getty On Demand: The A&G Replay Monday Hour Three
Hosted by iHeartPodcasts
Release Date: December 30, 2024

1. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Military and Higher Education

Discussion Overview: Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into the contentious topic of DEI programs, particularly focusing on their implementation within the U.S. military and higher education institutions. They critically analyze a think piece by Tom Klingenstein, which argues that DEI initiatives may be detrimental to military readiness by clashing with the core values of discipline and unit cohesion.

Notable Quotes:

• Jack Armstrong [03:10]: “DEI is utterly incompatible with the cultural norms that have underpinned every military in the history of time.”
• Joe Getty [05:41]: “Anti Asian bias, which we'll get to in a second.”
• Jack Armstrong [07:30]: “As a white male is perfectly fine, can be even helpful to ask me to examine my values and beliefs for racism and sexism, but it's not fine to assign me the category of oppressor based solely on my race or gender.”

Key Insights:

• Military Readiness: Armstrong emphasizes that DEI programs introduce group quotas that conflict with the military's emphasis on uniformity and self-sacrifice for the unit.
• Higher Education Challenges: The hosts discuss how DEI efforts on campuses have not only failed to achieve their intended goals but have also fostered environments of antisemitism and division among students.
• Public Sentiment: Referencing reader comments from The New York Times, Armstrong highlights a widespread backlash against DEI, with many individuals rejecting the notion of being categorized as oppressors based on inherent traits.

2. Post-Affirmative Action Admissions at MIT

Discussion Overview: The conversation shifts to the significant changes in MIT's admissions statistics following the Supreme Court's ruling against affirmative action. The hosts analyze the racial composition shifts and discuss the broader implications for other Ivy League institutions.

Notable Quotes:

• Joe Getty [08:28]: “MIT is the first top level college to release their numbers on this post affirmative action admissions.”
• Jack Armstrong [10:12]: “Why do black kids underachieve? If you don't paper over the process at the end, you're forced to reckon with the problem at the beginning.”

Key Insights:

• Admissions Statistics: Post-ruling, Asian American admissions at MIT surged from 40% to 47%, while Black students dropped from 15% to 5%, and Hispanic students from 16% to 11%. White student admissions remained relatively stable.
• Racial Dynamics: Armstrong questions whether the admissions office is intentionally or unintentionally favoring Asian Americans, suggesting systemic biases.
• Historical Parallels: Getty draws parallels with California's experience after banning affirmative action in 1996, noting similar demographic shifts in student bodies.
• Future Implications: The hosts anticipate that other elite institutions will release comparable admissions data, further illustrating the impact of the Supreme Court's decision.

3. Economic Analysis: Oasis Reunion and Concert Ticket Pricing

Discussion Overview: Armstrong and Getty pivot to an economic exploration of the Oasis reunion concerts, using them as a case study to explain basic economic principles like supply and demand. They critique media portrayals of ticket pricing and defend the economic rationale behind dynamic pricing models.

Notable Quotes:

• Jack Armstrong [14:28]: “The market clearing price of anything is where demand meets supply. The correct and fair price is whatever the market will bear.”
• Joe Getty [18:20]: “That’s what people don’t understand about sports. Guitar players, whatever, actors and actresses... somebody's getting the money. It's just the way it works.”

Key Insights:

• Supply and Demand: The hosts explain that limited concert tickets for high-demand events like the Oasis reunion naturally lead to higher prices.
• Dynamic Pricing Critique: They defend dynamic pricing as a fundamental economic mechanism, countering accusations that artists or Ticketmaster exploit fans.
• Media Misconceptions: Armstrong criticizes journalists for lacking a basic understanding of economics, arguing that price hikes are a natural outcome of high demand and limited supply.
• Scalper Impact: They discuss how scalpers exacerbate price increases, suggesting that without such intermediaries, prices would remain more accessible.

4. The Metaphor of Size Inflation and Personal Discipline

Discussion Overview: In a lighter segment, Armstrong and Getty engage in a humorous yet insightful conversation about size inflation, using it as a metaphor for broader societal issues related to discipline and personal accountability.

Notable Quotes:

• Joe Getty [24:03]: “I think many people have been through this... I finally decided the other day, it's been long enough. Clearly, you're not going to do that.”
• Jack Armstrong [41:33]: “What a beautiful example of spin... I just number the, the 16, 15 and a half. I don't know that the next size.”

Key Insights:

• Personal Anecdote: Getty shares his struggle with maintaining his shirt size, symbolizing challenges in personal discipline and the acceptance of change.
• Rhetorical Spin: Armstrong comments on the rhetorical framing of personal setbacks, highlighting how language can obscure underlying issues.
• Cultural Commentary: The discussion subtly critiques societal pressures around body image and the challenges of maintaining personal standards amidst changing circumstances.

5. Argentina’s New President and the Struggle Against Socialism

Discussion Overview: Armstrong and Getty briefly touch upon Argentina's political landscape, focusing on President Javier Milei's attempts to combat entrenched socialist policies. They draw parallels between societal addiction to socialism and drug addiction, emphasizing the difficulty of implementing significant systemic changes.

Notable Quotes:

• Jack Armstrong [28:32]: “Argentina is not addicted to heroin and fentanyl and opioids or whatever. They're addicted to socialism.”
• Jack Armstrong [31:04]: “There are hundreds of examples in our system... they're dependent on them.”

Key Insights:

• Socialism as Dependency: Armstrong likens Argentina's reliance on socialist policies to a form of addiction, suggesting that breaking free from such systems is inherently challenging.
• Inevitability of Change: They express skepticism about reversing deeply ingrained governmental structures, implying that efforts to dismantle them face significant resistance.

Conclusion

Armstrong & Getty On Demand: The A&G Replay Monday Hour Three offers a robust exploration of DEI's impact on military and educational institutions, the ramifications of affirmative action policies, and fundamental economic principles through contemporary examples. The hosts blend critical analysis with personal anecdotes, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of these complex issues.

Key Takeaways:

• DEI initiatives may conflict with established institutional values, leading to challenges in implementation and public backlash.
• Changes in admissions policies post-affirmative action significantly alter the demographic composition of elite institutions, warranting further scrutiny.
• Basic economic laws like supply and demand are often misunderstood or misrepresented in media narratives.
• Personal experiences and metaphors can effectively highlight broader societal and economic phenomena.

For a comprehensive understanding and deeper insights, tuning into the full episode of The A&G Replay Monday Hour Three is highly recommended.