Uncommon Knowledge is a bi-weekly show with host Peter Robinson. He seeks to engage guests in lively, informative discussions about public policy.

Joined September 2008
185 Photos and videos
Uncommon Knowledge retweeted
Stephen Kotkin argues that a free society must learn to peacefully integrate disruptive technologies like social media and AI while peacefully adjudicating differences, recognizing that political extremes are a visible minority, and that most Americans occupy a pragmatic middle ground. Watch the latest episode of @UncKnowledge with @P_M_Robinson here: hoover.org/research/stephen-…
Historian Stephen Kotkin returns to @UncKnowledge with @P_M_Robinson for another round of five questions, this time on Iran, China, Ukraine, and the future of the American republic. Kotkin argues that America still possesses unmatched strengths—economic, technological, military, and cultural—but warns that self-inflicted political dysfunction could squander them. He dissects Trump's Iran strategy, explains why China wants Taiwan "for free," argues that Ukraine has already won the sovereignty war against Russia, and delivers a powerful defense of America's founding ideals at a moment when both authoritarian regimes abroad and political extremism at home are testing them. Sharp, provocative, and deeply informed, this is classic Kotkin: history as a guide to the geopolitical storms of the present. Watch the full conversation here:
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Stephen Kotkin explains that China views Taiwan as a core national objective and is building military and political leverage to achieve reunification—preferring coercion but preparing for force if non-kinetic options fail. Full episode with @P_M_Robinson: hoover.org/research/stephen-…
Historian Stephen Kotkin returns to @UncKnowledge with @P_M_Robinson for another round of five questions, this time on Iran, China, Ukraine, and the future of the American republic. Kotkin argues that America still possesses unmatched strengths—economic, technological, military, and cultural—but warns that self-inflicted political dysfunction could squander them. He dissects Trump's Iran strategy, explains why China wants Taiwan "for free," argues that Ukraine has already won the sovereignty war against Russia, and delivers a powerful defense of America's founding ideals at a moment when both authoritarian regimes abroad and political extremism at home are testing them. Sharp, provocative, and deeply informed, this is classic Kotkin: history as a guide to the geopolitical storms of the present. Watch the full conversation here:
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Uncommon Knowledge retweeted
Stephen Kotkin explains how Iran's internal struggles create a moment of opportunity to make the regime confront its own governance failures and growing domestic discontent. Watch the latest episode of Uncommon Knowledge with @P_M_Robinson here: hoover.org/research/stephen-…
Historian Stephen Kotkin returns to @UncKnowledge with @P_M_Robinson for another round of five questions, this time on Iran, China, Ukraine, and the future of the American republic. Kotkin argues that America still possesses unmatched strengths—economic, technological, military, and cultural—but warns that self-inflicted political dysfunction could squander them. He dissects Trump's Iran strategy, explains why China wants Taiwan "for free," argues that Ukraine has already won the sovereignty war against Russia, and delivers a powerful defense of America's founding ideals at a moment when both authoritarian regimes abroad and political extremism at home are testing them. Sharp, provocative, and deeply informed, this is classic Kotkin: history as a guide to the geopolitical storms of the present. Watch the full conversation here:
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Uncommon Knowledge retweeted
Historian Stephen Kotkin returns to @UncKnowledge with @P_M_Robinson for another round of five questions, this time on Iran, China, Ukraine, and the future of the American republic. Kotkin argues that America still possesses unmatched strengths—economic, technological, military, and cultural—but warns that self-inflicted political dysfunction could squander them. He dissects Trump's Iran strategy, explains why China wants Taiwan "for free," argues that Ukraine has already won the sovereignty war against Russia, and delivers a powerful defense of America's founding ideals at a moment when both authoritarian regimes abroad and political extremism at home are testing them. Sharp, provocative, and deeply informed, this is classic Kotkin: history as a guide to the geopolitical storms of the present. Watch the full conversation here:
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Uncommon Knowledge retweeted
Historian Stephen Kotkin joins Uncommon Knowledge with @P_M_Robinson this Friday, May 29. Subscribe to get notified when the episode premieres: hoover.org/publications/unco…
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Uncommon Knowledge retweeted
.@PalmerLuckey argues that the US has shifted away from hands-on engineering and manufacturing expertise, focusing instead on high-level design work while Chinese engineers handle the practical, technical challenges of building and refining products. Watch the latest episode of Uncommon Knowledge with @P_M_Robinson here: hoover.org/research/palmer-l…
China is moving fast. Is America falling behind? Anduril founder @PalmerLuckey joins @P_M_Robinson on @UncKnowledge to discuss AI warfare, drones, Silicon Valley, defense innovation, and why America must rebuild its industrial and military strength before it's too late.
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Uncommon Knowledge retweeted
China is moving fast. Is America falling behind? Anduril founder @PalmerLuckey joins @P_M_Robinson on @UncKnowledge to discuss AI warfare, drones, Silicon Valley, defense innovation, and why America must rebuild its industrial and military strength before it's too late.
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Uncommon Knowledge retweeted
.@PalmerLuckey joins Uncommon Knowledge with @P_M_Robinson for a new episode premiering this Wednesday, May 20. Subscribe to @UncKnowledge to get notified when it goes live: hoover.org/publications/unco…
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Uncommon Knowledge retweeted
Governor @RonDeSantis argues that property tax is the most direct lever state government has to make Florida affordable—and that high rates have hurt young people's ability to purchase homes. Watch the latest episode of @UncKnowledge with @P_M_Robinson: hoover.org/research/governor…
At Florida's Governor's Mansion, @RonDeSantis joins Uncommon Knowledge with @P_M_Robinson to argue that Florida's rise—from swing state to conservative stronghold—was driven by competent governance and clear policy choices. He points to rapid growth, rising revenues without an income tax, debt reduction, and political realignment as proof of the model. The conversation covers Florida's COVID response, education reform, school choice, and DeSantis's battles with corporations and universities. It also touches on identity politics, the Republican Party's future, and the staying power of America's founding principles. Watch the full @UncKnowledge interview on X:
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At Florida's Governor's Mansion, @RonDeSantis joins Uncommon Knowledge with @P_M_Robinson to argue that Florida's rise—from swing state to conservative stronghold—was driven by competent governance and clear policy choices. He points to rapid growth, rising revenues without an income tax, debt reduction, and political realignment as proof of the model. The conversation covers Florida's COVID response, education reform, school choice, and DeSantis's battles with corporations and universities. It also touches on identity politics, the Republican Party's future, and the staying power of America's founding principles. Watch the full @UncKnowledge interview on X:
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Uncommon Knowledge retweeted
Florida Governor @RonDeSantis joins Uncommon Knowledge with @P_M_Robinson this Tuesday, May 5. Subscribe to get notified when the @UncKnowledge episode goes live: hoover.org/publications/unco…
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In a 2025 @UncKnowledge interview, Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh pushed back against the idea that inflation is primarily driven by external shocks like the pandemic or the war in Ukraine. Drawing on the legacy of Milton Friedman, Warsh argued that inflation stems from decisions by the Federal Reserve, and that the responsibility for price stability lies squarely with the central bank. Watch the full conversation with @P_M_Robinson here: hoover.org/research/inflatio…
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Uncommon Knowledge retweeted
Einstein's theory of general relativity implied an expanding universe, a conclusion he was reluctant to accept. On the latest @UncKnowledge, @StephenCMeyer recounts how the astronomical evidence ultimately prevailed: hoover.org/research/meyer-le… @P_M_Robinson @DiscoveryInst1 @DiscoveryCSC
On a new episode of Uncommon Knowledge, @P_M_Robinson sits down with mathematician @ProfJohnLennox, philosopher of science @StephenCMeyer, and chemist @DrJamesTour to examine what modern science suggests about the origin of the universe and life itself. Moving from the Big Bang and the discovery of cosmic beginnings, to the fine-tuning of the physical constants that make life possible, to the extraordinary complexity and information embedded in DNA, the conversation explores whether these developments point to blind, undirected processes—or to the activity of an intelligent mind. The trio challenges long-held materialist assumptions, revisits classic scientific debates, and reflects on what these questions mean not only for science but also for our understanding of human existence and purpose. @UncKnowledge @DiscoveryInst1
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Seventy years after the Miller-Urey experiment, chemist @DrJamesTour argues the scientific community is no closer to understanding how life began. On @UncKnowledge, he explains why origin of life researchers will not solve the problem in their lifetimes: hoover.org/research/meyer-le… @DiscoveryInst1 @P_M_Robinson
On a new episode of Uncommon Knowledge, @P_M_Robinson sits down with mathematician @ProfJohnLennox, philosopher of science @StephenCMeyer, and chemist @DrJamesTour to examine what modern science suggests about the origin of the universe and life itself. Moving from the Big Bang and the discovery of cosmic beginnings, to the fine-tuning of the physical constants that make life possible, to the extraordinary complexity and information embedded in DNA, the conversation explores whether these developments point to blind, undirected processes—or to the activity of an intelligent mind. The trio challenges long-held materialist assumptions, revisits classic scientific debates, and reflects on what these questions mean not only for science but also for our understanding of human existence and purpose. @UncKnowledge @DiscoveryInst1
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Uncommon Knowledge retweeted
Physicists describe our universe as a "Goldilocks universe," with dozens of parameters precisely set within ranges that make life possible. On a new @UncKnowledge, @StephenCMeyer explains what that fine-tuning suggests about the origins of the cosmos: hoover.org/research/meyer-le… @DiscoveryInst1 @DiscoveryCSC
On a new episode of Uncommon Knowledge, @P_M_Robinson sits down with mathematician @ProfJohnLennox, philosopher of science @StephenCMeyer, and chemist @DrJamesTour to examine what modern science suggests about the origin of the universe and life itself. Moving from the Big Bang and the discovery of cosmic beginnings, to the fine-tuning of the physical constants that make life possible, to the extraordinary complexity and information embedded in DNA, the conversation explores whether these developments point to blind, undirected processes—or to the activity of an intelligent mind. The trio challenges long-held materialist assumptions, revisits classic scientific debates, and reflects on what these questions mean not only for science but also for our understanding of human existence and purpose. @UncKnowledge @DiscoveryInst1
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Uncommon Knowledge retweeted
On a new episode of Uncommon Knowledge, @P_M_Robinson sits down with mathematician @ProfJohnLennox, philosopher of science @StephenCMeyer, and chemist @DrJamesTour to examine what modern science suggests about the origin of the universe and life itself. Moving from the Big Bang and the discovery of cosmic beginnings, to the fine-tuning of the physical constants that make life possible, to the extraordinary complexity and information embedded in DNA, the conversation explores whether these developments point to blind, undirected processes—or to the activity of an intelligent mind. The trio challenges long-held materialist assumptions, revisits classic scientific debates, and reflects on what these questions mean not only for science but also for our understanding of human existence and purpose. @UncKnowledge @DiscoveryInst1
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Uncommon Knowledge retweeted
On the latest episode of Uncommon Knowledge, @BenShapiro argues that critiques of "cancel culture" have been so overextended by the right that criticism itself is now treated like cancellation. Full conversation with @P_M_Robinson here: hoover.org/research/ben-shap…
Is conservatism losing its way? @BenShapiro says yes. He joins @P_M_Robinson on @UncKnowledge for a candid conversation about how conspiracy culture, fractures inside the right, grievance mindset, and growing distrust of institutions are reshaping American politics. Shapiro also discusses his own journey from student to lawyer to founding editor-in-chief of @RealDailyWire. Watch the full interview on X:
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In the latest @UncKnowledge, @BenShapiro unpacks the link between grievance politics and antisemitism. How can American conservatives move beyond the noise? Watch his candid conversation with @P_M_Robinson here: hoover.org/research/ben-shap…
Is conservatism losing its way? @BenShapiro says yes. He joins @P_M_Robinson on @UncKnowledge for a candid conversation about how conspiracy culture, fractures inside the right, grievance mindset, and growing distrust of institutions are reshaping American politics. Shapiro also discusses his own journey from student to lawyer to founding editor-in-chief of @RealDailyWire. Watch the full interview on X:
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After obtaining a JD from Harvard Law, @BenShapiro took a different path. On the latest episode of @UncKnowledge, he shares his personal and professional journey that led him to launch @RealDailyWire. Watch the full interview with @P_M_Robinson: hoover.org/research/ben-shap…
Is conservatism losing its way? @BenShapiro says yes. He joins @P_M_Robinson on @UncKnowledge for a candid conversation about how conspiracy culture, fractures inside the right, grievance mindset, and growing distrust of institutions are reshaping American politics. Shapiro also discusses his own journey from student to lawyer to founding editor-in-chief of @RealDailyWire. Watch the full interview on X:
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Uncommon Knowledge retweeted
Is conservatism losing its way? @BenShapiro says yes. He joins @P_M_Robinson on @UncKnowledge for a candid conversation about how conspiracy culture, fractures inside the right, grievance mindset, and growing distrust of institutions are reshaping American politics. Shapiro also discusses his own journey from student to lawyer to founding editor-in-chief of @RealDailyWire. Watch the full interview on X:
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