The John Batchelor Show

SHOW 11-28-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1963   The Genius of Early Photography: Nadar, Daguerre, and Dangerous Chemistry — Anika Burgess — Burgess details the risky and adventurous origins of photography as a practical medium. She examines Nadar, a visionary figure who deployed a giant balloon named Léon to fund experiments in heavier-than-air flight, having previously conducted innovative photographic expeditions into Paris's catacombs. Burgess also recounts Daguerre's 1839 presentation of the daguerreotype—a remarkably realistic, singular image created using hazardous chemicals including iodine and mercury, which posed significant occupational and health risks to early practitioners. Early Photography's Scientific Reach: Lunar and Underwater Photography — Anika Burgess — Burgessexplores early photography's critical scientific applications, noting that François Arago predicted the daguerreotype would enable detailed mapping of the lunar surface. Early astrophotographers encountered formidable technical challenges involving distance calculations, celestial motion, and insufficient ambient light. James Nasmyth controversially photographed plaster casts and molds of the lunar surface, which contemporary observers praised as scientifically truthful. Burgess also highlights Louis Boutan, who persistently developed practical underwater photography using pressurized hard-hat diving equipment, establishing a new scientific capability. Photography and Social Justice: Riis, Watkins, and the Question of Truth — Anika Burgess — Burgessdemonstrates how photography became a transformative tool for social advocacy and reform. Jacob Riis, a newspaper journalist documenting Manhattan's tenement poverty, employed flash powder ignited in cast-iron frying pans to photograph the grim, overcrowded interior conditions of slums for his landmark book How the Other Half Lives, frequently without obtaining subject consent. Burgess also discusses Carleton Watkins, who transported over 2,000 pounds of large-format photographic equipment to Yosemite Valley, producing images that proved instrumental in securing federal preservation and protection of the landscape. From X-Rays to Motion Pictures: Expanding the Photographic Medium — Anika Burgess — Burgess traces the expansion of photographic technology beyond conventional image capture. She examines Alice Austin'sintimate and playful photographs documenting her social circle with candid authenticity. The discovery of X-raysby Wilhelm Röntgen was rapidly branded as "the new photography" or "shadow photography," adopted swiftly for both entertainment and medical diagnostic applications despite practitioners possessing no understanding of severe radiation hazards. Burgess concludes with Paul Martin's candid street photography using concealed cameras hidden within top hats and Eadweard Muybridge's sequential motion studies, which directly enabled the invention of motion pictures. Angelica Schuyler: Albany, Elopement, and the Start of the Revolution — Molly Beer — Beer discusses her book Angelica, focusing on Angelica Schuyler Church, daughter of General Philip Schuyler. Her mother, Katherine, oversaw construction of their Albany residence, The Pastures, a substantial estate reflecting family prominence. Angelica received a rigorous education consistent with Dutch cultural traditions emphasizing women's financial and business literacy for family management. In 1777, during Burgoyne's invasion of New York, Angelica profoundly disappointed her mother by eloping with John Carter, an Englishman she found intellectually engaging and cosmopolitan. Angelica and the Founders: The Revolution and the Hamilton Connection — Molly Beer — Beer examines Angelica's pivotal role during the American Revolution, including her service alongside Rochambeau's army, traveling to Yorktown shortly after delivering her third child. Her sister Elizabeth ("Betsy") married Alexander Hamilton, who deliberately married into the prominent Schuyler family to elevate his social standing and political prospects. Following the war, Angelica's eldest son, Philip, founded the town of Angelica in western New York, the community where Beer herself was subsequently raised. Angelica in Europe: John Church, London Society, and Diplomacy — Molly Beer — Following ratification of the peace treaty, Angelica and her husband sailed to Paris to collect outstanding payments owed by the Frenchgovernment. John Carter leveraged the wartime amnesty to settle accumulated debts, reconcile with his estranged family, and legally adopt the name John Barker Church. Angelica relocated to London's elegant Mayfairneighborhood, where she established herself as a prominent American patriot. She strategically positioned herself at the intersection of cultural and diplomatic negotiations, entertaining influential figures including Lafayette and the Adamses, while exerting subtle influence over American diplomatic representatives toward negotiated peace. Angelica's Later Life: Return, Tragedy, and Founding Angelica, NY — Molly Beer — Angelica visited the United States for President Washington's 1789 inauguration but quickly returned to London, disappointed that the nascent republic fell short o Woke Capitalism: Origins, ESG, DEI, and the Power of BlackRock — Charles Gasparino — Gasparinotraces the origins of "woke capitalism," detailing how corporate America shareholder returns toward stakeholder capitalism models. L The Flashpoints of Woke Capitalism: Occupy Wall Street and the SEC — Charles Gasparino — Gasparinoidentifies the 2008 financial crisis and the ensuing progressive populist backlash, including the Occupy Wall Streetencampment at Zuccotti Park, as pivotal flashpoints accelerating corporate woke adoption.... Disney and ESPN: Running a Blue Company in a Red State — Charles Gasparino — Gasparino analyzes the radicalization of the Walt Disney Company, noting that CEO Bob Iger brought progressive cultural affinities while the company.... Go Woke, Go Broke: The Financial Backlash and Corporate Retreat — Charles Gasparino — Gasparinoreports that woke capitalism is experiencing significant financial retrenchment as corporations suffer bottom-line consequences... Freedom's Forge: FDR, WWII Mobilization, and Bill Knudsen — Arthur Herman — Herman discusses his book Freedom's Forge, detailing the extraordinary challenge FDR confronted in May 1940 to prepare America for modern industrial warfare. The preeminent industrialist summoned for this task was Bill Knudsen, CEO of General Motors. Knudsen, a Danish immigrant and former Ford executive, possessed unparalleled expertise in flexible mass production—the capacity to modify production line processes continuously while maintaining output. Knudsen applied these revolutionary manufacturing techniques to transform the American automobile industry into an "Arsenal of Democracy," producing critical war materiel including military trucks and armored tanks. Henry Kaiser: The Builder of Liberty Ships — Arthur Herman — Herman profiles Henry Kaiser, the second transformative figure in Freedom's Forge. Kaiser, a road construction entrepreneur who had previously coordinated monumental infrastructure projects including the Boulder Dam, demonstrated relentless commitment to ambitious thinking and delivery ahead of schedule and under budget constraints. In late 1940, Kaiser persuaded both Britishand American governments to contract him to construct "throwaway freighters"—Liberty ships—despite possessing no prior shipbuilding experience. Between 1941 and 1945, Kaiser successfully built 2,710 Liberty ships, fundamentally enabling Allied logistics and supply operations. The B-29 Superfortress and the Battle of Omaha — Arthur Herman — Herman recounts the genesis of the B-29 Superfortress bomber, conceived after General Hap Arnold consulted with Charles Lindbergh in 1939. The B-29 represented the ultimate expression of air supremacy doctrine, demanding revolutionary technologies including pressurized crew cabins and remote-controlled gun turrets that did not yet exist. Bill Knudsen directed the program, overcoming severe delays and persistent technical deficiencies. Knudsen won the "Battle of Omaha" by insisting that aircraft be extensively modified after assembly to achieve operational flight status, thereby integrating a massive female industrial workforce into B-29 production processes. Lessons from WWII: Unleashing Private Enterprise — Arthur Herman — Herman explores the strategic tension during WWII between New Deal administrators favoring centralized government command and industrialists prioritizing private sector innovation and operational flexibility. FDR and Knudsen learned from the disastrous centralized economic control failures of WWI, choosing instead to permit American private enterprise to "determine production methodologies and develop solutions for urgent national requirements." The fundamental secret to Allied victory was unleashing private sector dynamism, entrepreneurial expertise, and competitive energy. Herman draws contemporary parallels, arguing that modern defense strategy must replicate this model, contrasting bureaucratic NASA operations with innovative private enterprises including SpaceX.

Lessons from WWII: Unleashing Private Enterprise — Arthur Herman — Herman explores the strategic tension during WWII between New Deal administrators favoring centralized government command and industrialists prioritizing private sector innovation and operational flexibility. FDR and Knudsen learned from the disastrous centralized economic control failures of WWI, choosing instead to permit American private enterprise to "determine production methodologies and develop solutions for urgent national requirements." The fundamental secret to Allied victory was unleashing private sector dynamism, entrepreneurial expertise, and competitive energy. Herman draws contemporary parallels, arguing that modern defense strategy must replicate this model, contrasting bureaucratic NASA operations with innovative private enterprises including SpaceX. 1951 THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL

The B-29 Superfortress and the Battle of Omaha — Arthur Herman — Herman recounts the genesis of the B-29 Superfortress bomber, conceived after General Hap Arnold consulted with Charles Lindbergh in 1939. The B-29represented the ultimate expression of air supremacy doctrine, demanding revolutionary technologies including pressurized crew cabins and remote-controlled gun turrets that did not yet exist. Bill Knudsen directed the program, overcoming severe delays and persistent technical deficiencies. Knudsen won the "Battle of Omaha" by insisting that aircraft be extensively modified after assembly to achieve operational flight status, thereby integrating a massive female industrial workforce into B-29 production processes. 1945 LOS ALAMOS. THE GADGET

Henry Kaiser: The Builder of Liberty Ships — Arthur Herman — Herman profiles Henry Kaiser, the second transformative figure in Freedom's Forge. Kaiser, a road construction entrepreneur who had previously coordinated monumental infrastructure projects including the Boulder Dam, demonstrated relentless commitment to ambitious thinking and delivery ahead of schedule and under budget constraints. In late 1940, Kaiser persuaded both British and American governments to contract him to construct "throwaway freighters"—Liberty ships—despite possessing no prior shipbuilding experience. Between 1941 and 1945, Kaiser successfully built 2,710 Liberty ships, fundamentally enabling Allied logistics and supply operations. 1941

Freedom's Forge: FDR, WWII Mobilization, and Bill Knudsen — Arthur Herman — Herman discusses his book Freedom's Forge, detailing the extraordinary challenge FDR confronted in May 1940 to prepare America for modern industrial warfare. The preeminent industrialist summoned for this task was Bill Knudsen, CEO of General Motors. Knudsen, a Danish immigrant and former Ford executive, possessed unparalleled expertise in flexible mass production—the capacity to modify production line processes continuously while maintaining output. Knudsen applied these revolutionary manufacturing techniques to transform the American automobile industry into an "Arsenal of Democracy," producing critical war materiel including military trucks and armored tanks. 1953

Go Woke, Go Broke: The Financial Backlash and Corporate Retreat — Charles Gasparino — Gasparino reports that woke capitalism is experiencing significant financial retrenchment as corporations suffer bottom-line consequences. BlackRock experienced approximately $14 billion in asset withdrawals, and financial institutions including Goldman Sachs are dismantling diversity programs. CEOs are systematically abandoning progressive political commitments as financial performance deteriorates, recognizing that woke agendas alienate the broader American consumer base. Home Depot founder Bernie Marcus contends that the ideological struggle continues and characterizes most CEOs who embraced wokeness as "cowards" reflexively following prevailing political sentiment. 1943

Disney and ESPN: Running a Blue Company in a Red State — Charles Gasparino — Gasparino analyzes the radicalization of the Walt Disney Company, noting that CEO Bob Iger brought progressive cultural affinities while the company maintained profitability. His successor, Bob Chapek, initially navigated the challenge of running a "blue company in a red state" (Florida) by remaining publicly neutral regarding cultural controversies with Governor Ron DeSantis. Internal organizational pressure from Iger forced Chapek to publicly oppose DeSantis's legislation, resulting in Disney forfeiting special taxing authorities and Chapek's subsequent removal. ESPN similarly suffered audience erosion following politicization, exemplified by broadcaster Sage Steele's controversial heterodox commentary. 1957

The Flashpoints of Woke Capitalism: Occupy Wall Street and the SEC — Charles Gasparino — Gasparinoidentifies the 2008 financial crisis and the ensuing progressive populist backlash, including the Occupy Wall Streetencampment at Zuccotti Park, as pivotal flashpoints accelerating corporate woke adoption. CEOs embraced ESG and DEI frameworks, influenced by ideological groupthink at forums like Davos. Corporate leadership adopted stakeholder capitalism as a political defense mechanism against progressive lawmakers including Senator Elizabeth Warren and regulatory pressure. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), particularly under the Biden administration, has begun systematically enforcing woke corporate policies through regulatory authority. 1931

Woke Capitalism: Origins, ESG, DEI, and the Power of BlackRock — Charles Gasparino — Gasparino traces the origins of "woke capitalism," detailing how corporate America became an active institutional agent for progressive social change. This ideological shift, accelerated through boardroom political calculations, led to widespread adoption of corporate acronyms including ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) and DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), redirecting corporate focus from shareholder returns toward stakeholder capitalism models. Larry Fink's BlackRockstrategically recognized that managing progressive-oriented investment funds could attract trillions in assets, positioning the firm as a powerful enforcer of these policies across corporate America. 1927

Angelica's Later Life: Return, Tragedy, and Founding Angelica, NY — Molly Beer — Angelica visited the United States for President Washington's 1789 inauguration but quickly returned to London, disappointed that the nascent republic fell short of her revolutionary ideals. She returned permanently to America in 1797, positioning herself as the matriarch of the Schuyler family legacy. Following devastating personal tragedy in 1804, including Alexander Hamilton's death at Aaron Burr's hands, Angelica journeyed approximately 450 miles into the wilderness of western New York in 1806. She championed the founding and development of the town of Angelica, embracing an elegant simplicity amid frontier conditions and establishing a lasting legacy. 1924 TICONDEROGA

Angelica in Europe: John Church, London Society, and Diplomacy — Molly Beer — Following ratification of the peace treaty, Angelica and her husband sailed to Paris to collect outstanding payments owed by the French government. John Carter leveraged the wartime amnesty to settle accumulated debts, reconcile with his estranged family, and legally adopt the name John Barker Church. Angelica relocated to London's elegant Mayfair neighborhood, where she established herself as a prominent American patriot. She strategically positioned herself at the intersection of cultural and diplomatic negotiations, entertaining influential figures including Lafayette and the Adamses, while exerting subtle influence over American diplomatic representatives toward negotiated peace. 1900 TICONDEROGA

Angelica and the Founders: The Revolution and the Hamilton Connection — Molly Beer — Beer examines Angelica's pivotal role during the American Revolution, including her service alongside Rochambeau's army, traveling to Yorktown shortly after delivering her third child. Her sister Elizabeth ("Betsy") married Alexander Hamilton, who deliberately married into the prominent Schuyler family to elevate his social standing and political prospects. Following the war, Angelica's eldest son, Philip, founded the town of Angelica in western New York, the community where Beerherself was subsequently raised. 1800 RUINS TICONDEROGA

Angelica Schuyler: Albany, Elopement, and the Start of the Revolution — Molly Beer — Beer discusses her book Angelica, focusing on Angelica Schuyler Church, daughter of General Philip Schuyler. Her mother, Katherine, oversaw construction of their Albany residence, The Pastures, a substantial estate reflecting family prominence. Angelica received a rigorous education consistent with Dutch cultural traditions emphasizing women's financial and business literacy for family management. In 1777, during Burgoyne's invasion of New York, Angelica profoundly disappointed her mother by eloping with John Carter, an Englishman she found intellectually engaging and cosmopolitan. 1758 FORT TICONDEROGA

From X-Rays to Motion Pictures: Expanding the Photographic Medium — Anika Burgess — Burgess traces the expansion of photographic technology beyond conventional image capture. She examines Alice Austin's intimate and playful photographs documenting her social circle with candid authenticity. The discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Röntgen was rapidly branded as "the new photography" or "shadow photography," adopted swiftly for both entertainment and medical diagnostic applications despite practitioners possessing no understanding of severe radiation hazards. Burgess concludes with Paul Martin's candid street photography using concealed cameras hidden within top hats and Eadweard Muybridge's sequential motion studies, which directly enabled the invention of motion pictures. 1903 FRANCE

Photography and Social Justice: Riis, Watkins, and the Question of Truth — Anika Burgess — Burgessdemonstrates how photography became a transformative tool for social advocacy and reform. Jacob Riis, a newspaper journalist documenting Manhattan's tenement poverty, employed flash powder ignited in cast-iron frying pans to photograph the grim, overcrowded interior conditions of slums for his landmark book How the Other Half Lives, frequently without obtaining subject consent. Burgess also discusses Carleton Watkins, who transported over 2,000 pounds of large-format photographic equipment to Yosemite Valley, producing images that proved instrumental in securing federal preservation and protection of the landscape. 1880 COPENHAGEN

Early Photography's Scientific Reach: Lunar and Underwater Photography — Anika Burgess — Burgess explores early photography's critical scientific applications, noting that François Arago predicted the daguerreotype would enable detailed mapping of the lunar surface. Early astrophotographers encountered formidable technical challenges involving distance calculations, celestial motion, and insufficient ambient light. James Nasmyth controversially photographed plaster casts and molds of the lunar surface, which contemporary observers praised as scientifically truthful. Burgess also highlights Louis Boutan, who persistently developed practical underwater photography using pressurized hard-hat diving equipment, establishing a new scientific capability. 1865

The Genius of Early Photography: Nadar, Daguerre, and Dangerous Chemistry — Anika Burgess — Burgessdetails the risky and adventurous origins of photography as a practical medium. She examines Nadar, a visionary figure who deployed a giant balloon named Léon to fund experiments in heavier-than-air flight, having previously conducted innovative photographic expeditions into Paris's catacombs. Burgess also recounts Daguerre's 1839 presentation of the daguerreotype—a remarkably realistic, singular image created using hazardous chemicals including iodine and mercury, which posed significant occupational and health risks to early practitioners. PARIS

PREVIEW — Charles Gasparino — Go Woke, Go Broke: CEOs, Groupthink, and the Radicalization of Corporate America. Gasparino argues in Go Woke, Go Broke that the radicalization of American corporate leadership originated at the executive level, not within HR departments. He contends that concepts including ESG and DEI were systematically adopted through corporate groupthink, particularly at Davos, which he characterizes as "progressive group think on steroids." This dynamic has created an ecosystem wherein CEOs collectively pursue an identical corporate agenda divorced from shareholder interests and market realities.

PREVIEW — Molly Beer — Angelica Schuyler, Alexander Hamilton, and the Schuyler Family in the Revolution. Beerdiscusses her book examining Angelica Schuyler, an exceptionally well-born young Dutch woman and Revolutionary War hero. Angelica, the older sister, became the trusted confidante whom Alexander Hamilton—who married her younger sister Elizabeth—regularly consulted on matters of strategy and politics. Hamilton, frustrated by his failure to secure promotion despite his marriage into the prominent Schuyler family, ultimately resigned his position as General Washington's secretary. 1789

PREVIEW — Molly Beer — Angelica Schuyler Church and London's Educated Women. Angelica Schuyler Churchmoved to London following the war, establishing herself as a prominent figure among educated women residing in Mayfair. Angelica joined the Blue Stocking movement, which emphasized intellectual development and education for young women. Her social circle included Margaret Kemell Gage and the exceptionally talented Maria Cosway, positioning Angelica alongside pioneering intellectuals like Mary Wollstonecraft who were actively publishing and advancing education reform. 1772 LONDON