The Dark Side of AI
Power Corrupts
Artificial intelligence is the frontier of human innovation. But it has a dark side, too. In this episode, we explore how AI intersects with everything from criminology to creative writing -- and in the process, we see how biased algorithms have the power to do enormous harm in modern society. You can support our work here: And you can buy Brian’s book, Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us, here (or wherever you buy books): Follow us on social media: Twitter - Instagram -
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Space Wars
Power Corrupts
Is the next war going to happen in space? What are space weapons like, anyway? And why should we be worried about the space ventures of billionaires? In this episode, we look at the militarization of space, including everything from giant space mirrors to a new Chinese space weapon that flies right over the South Pole. You can support our work here: And you can buy Brian’s new book, Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us, here (or wherever you buy books): Follow us on social media: Twitter - Instagram -
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Loot
Power Corrupts
Is it a crime to steal back something that was once yours? That's the question we'll tackle this week, as we look at a string of sophisticated art heists aimed at reclaiming some stolen heritage objects. And we'll explore how Facebook is facilitating the illicit trafficking of stolen cultural objects, all out in the open. You can support our work here: And you can buy Brian’s new book, Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us, here (or wherever you buy books): Follow us on social media: Twitter - Instagram -
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Corruptible: Audiobook Excerpt
Power Corrupts
This week's episode is an excerpt from the opening chapter of Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us. (If you pre-order the book or audiobook, you're eligible for a bonus episode of Power Corrupts that won't be released publicly). You can support our work here: And you can pre-order Brian’s new book, Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us, here (or wherever you buy books): Follow us on social media: Twitter - Instagram -
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Does Power Corrupt?
Power Corrupts
The title of this podcast is Power Corrupts. But is that true? In this week's episode, host Brian Klaas has the microphone turned around on himself, as he's interviewed by Emma Nelson about his new book, Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us. You can support our work here: And you can pre-order Brian’s new book, Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us, here (or wherever you buy books): Follow us on social media: Twitter - Instagram -
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War Criminal or Victim?
Power Corrupts
The International Criminal Court prosecutes perpetrators of horrific crimes. But what if the perpetrator is also a victim? That's the question we explore this week, with the disturbing tale of a child soldier who was kidnapped into a militia, but then rose the ranks to become a senior commander. After climbing the hierarchy, he began kidnapping more children and killing civilians. So, is he a victim, or is he a perpetrator? And is it possible to be both? You can support our work here: And you can pre-order Brian’s new book, Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It...
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Walk the Plank
Power Corrupts
How do you capture a pirate after they’ve hijacked a ship? In today’s episode, we look at two ingenious sting operations that managed to lure some pirates across borders to their arrest. And in the process, we’ll see how clever law enforcement agencies get around the problem of tracking down criminals across international borders. You can support our work here: And you can pre-order Brian’s new book, Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us, here (or wherever you buy books): Follow us on social media: Twitter - Instagram -
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The Invisible Hook
Power Corrupts
Pirates can teach us quite a lot about democracy and economics. What can Blackbeard teach us about signaling theory? Why were pirates racially progressive for their era? And is it possible that pirate ships were laboratories for experiments with constitutional democracy? In this episode, we speak to Professor Peter Leeson of George Mason University, and Dr. Rebecca Simon, an expert on pirate history. You can get Professor Peter's book, The Invisible Hook at You can support our work here: And you can pre-order Brian’s new book, Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How...
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Golden Handcuffs
Power Corrupts
Can doing the wrong thing ever be the right policy? That’s a question we’ll tackle this week as we look at the possibility of letting some very bad people get away with their crimes…in order to prevent them from causing further damage. From drug kingpins to dictators, is it ever a good idea to just let them get away with it? This week’s episode features journalist Jaime Yaya Berry; human rights advocate Tutu Alicante; former Ambassador Charles Stith; and journalist Ioan Grillo. You can support our work here: And you can pre-order Brian’s new book,...
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Hitman for Hire
Power Corrupts
What if you hacked a hitman-for-hire website and found out the identities of people who were slated to die before the murder? How much does it cost to hire a hitman on the Dark Web? And what if all of these supposed hitmen were just part of a giant, lucrative hoax? In this episode, we explore the stranger-than-fiction tale of hitmen services being sold on the darkest corners of the internet. Guests include Gian Volpicelli of Wired UK; Eileen Ormsby, a journalist and author; and Randy McAlister of the Cottage Grove, Minnesota police department. Support our work here: ...
info_outlinePandemics are as old as human civilisation, from the Plague of Athens to mysterious diseases that ravaged armies throughout history. But there's a lot you probably don't know about them. Why did "dancing plagues" erupt repeatedly in Medieval Europe as a result of "hot blood"? Why is calling it the "Spanish Flu" an egregious historical injustice? How do mathematical modellers incorporate Italian vs. American culture into their forecasting and predictions? And what did Isaac Newton manage to do while he was "working from home" during the plague pandemic of 1665?
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Power Corrupts is written and narrated by Brian Klaas. The executive producer and sound editor is George McDonagh.