US ELECTION

VIDEO (18 MIN)

When the 1st and 2nd Amendments Collide

What do this year’s demonstrations against Covid lockdowns and racial inequality tell us about what may play out following November 3rd? If one party or the other deems election results illegitimate, will a clash of the First and Second Amendments play out in the streets? Mary McCord, legal director of Georgetown Law’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, says the presence of armed militias is rising. While there are many gray areas in the Second Amendment, “it does not protect private paramilitary organizations,” says McCord. It’s critical, she says, for state and local law enforcement, as well as citizens, to understand clear-cut laws exist against falsely assuming the authority of the military. Garrett Graff, director of cyber initiatives for Aspen Digital, leads the conversation.

ONLINE THREATS

PODCAST (54 MIN)

A Perfect Storm of Disinformation

Disinformation online is on the minds of voters, candidates, government officials, and technology platforms as the US election gets closer. Already experts have seen disinformation campaigns around the Covid-19 pandemic, which could spell trouble in November, says Laura Rosenberger, director of the Alliance for Securing Democracy. “When you’re sowing doubt about the information the government is providing about the pandemic, you’re sowing doubt in citizens’ faith in their democratic institutions. That primes us to have less faith in the integrity of the election.” She speaks with Renée DiResta, technical research manager at Stanford Internet Observatory, and Cecilia Kang, technology reporter for The New York Times, about how this perfect storm of disinformation is being tackled. Presented by Aspen Strategy Group

COVID-19

PODCAST (46 MIN)

The Race to Develop a Covid-19 Vaccine

Antibodies, convalescent plasma, gene-based vaccines — you may have heard these terms on the evening news, but what do they mean? How might they help in the battle against Covid-19? As the race to develop a vaccine continues, questions remain about effectiveness, testing, and whether people will actually get the vaccine. Two medical experts involved in the fight explain the science behind developing effective protection. Judith Aberg is Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases for Mount Sinai Health System. Florian Krammer is a professor of vaccinology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Kenneth L. Davis, president and CEO of Mount Sinai Health System, leads the conversation. Presented by Aspen Ideas: Health

Can Democracy Survive Conspiracy Theory?

September 18

Conspiracy theories aren’t new – they have existed as long as there are historic records. However, the conspiracy theories of our current political climate have something new – conspiracy without theory. Russell Muirhead and Nancy Rosenblum explore how these new conspiracy theories diverge from their predecessors. Register.

The Atlantic Festival

September 21-24

AIN is pleased to share an exciting opportunity from our longtime partners and friends at The Atlantic. Featuring conversations with leaders across politics, activism, business, and the arts, this year's entirely virtual and entirely free festival explores who we are as a nation and who we might become. Register.

The How of Happiness

September 23

What is happiness? What can we do to achieve the life we envision for ourselves? Drawing on her own groundbreaking research, Sonja Lyubomirsky offers a way to understand and tap our potential for joy and happiness, as well as our ability to sustain it in our lives. Register.

Cancer Won't Wait for Covid

September 23

This year, there has been a 32 percent decline in new colorectal cancer diagnoses. However, it’s not good news. A closer look reveals a 90 percent decline in colonoscopies, as patients delay essential screenings during the pandemic. Covid-19 has created a dangerous new normal where delayed preventative care, skipped well visits, and postponed procedures have become commonplace. Web Sun, president and co-founder of Komodo Health, speaks with John Torres, medical correspondent for NBC News, about the critical role of data science. Register.