Are the Cornell Seven Facing Trial on Social Media?

In this special edition of The Reason Roundtable, Senior Editor Robby Soave is joined by Associate Editor Liz Wolfe, correspondent Reem Ibrahim, and Senior Producer Zach Weissmueller to examine the sexual assault allegations leveled against seven members of a Cornell University fraternity. The conversation probes competing narratives about what occurred, distinguishes between conduct that is deeply unacceptable and acts that may constitute crimes, and questions whether New York Attorney General Letitia James can oversee a fair probe given Governor Hochul’s appointment to the case. The panel also weighs Hochul’s proposals to reform New York’s consent and voluntary intoxication laws, and considers the influence of social media in transforming the case into a nationwide spectacle.

Following that, the discussion turns to Tennessee’s imperfect execution of Christa Pike and what it reveals about the practical and moral complexities surrounding the death penalty. The program closes by evaluating OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s argument that society should tolerate some negative consequences from artificial intelligence in order to reap its benefits.

 

0:00—The “Cornell Seven” investigation

29:21—Pike’s botched execution

36:53—Altman’s AI comments

53:29—Weekly cultural recommendations

 

Upcoming Reason Events

The Reason Roundtable’s 10th Anniversary—Live in NYC! October 7

The World Premiere of Escaping Venezuela, October 13

 

Mentioned in the podcast:

“The Cornell Rape Lawsuit Is Fueling a Deranged Social Media Mob,” by Robby Soave

“Letitia James Has Already Suggested the Cornell 7 Are Guilty,” by Robby Soave

“Would a Firing Squad Have Been More ‘Humane’ for Christa Pike?” by Billy Binion

“Trump Wants AI Companies To Police Themselves. His FTC Isn’t Waiting,” by Tosin Akintola

 

Today’s sponsor:

Cato Innovation Project: Design your own full-time, paid role at Cato. If we back your idea, you dedicate two years to bringing it to fruition. Apply here: cato.org/reason

---