Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Ben Bayer and Samantha Watkins challenge Zohran Mamdani’s plan to phase out NYC’s Gifted & Talented program—a move that would hold back advanced students from the education they need to thrive—and replace it with universal free childcare.
• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:15 NYC’s Gifted & Talented Program
• 05:48 Mamdani’s Reasons to End G&T
• 13:11 Mamdani’s Universal Childcare Proposal
• 21:19 The Goal Is Punishing Gifted Kids
• 31:32 The Reaction to Mamdani’s Proposals
• 38:19 Education Is Not Zero-Sum
Resources:
• Ayn Rand, “The Age of Envy,” Return of the Primitive
• Ayn Rand, “The Comprachicos,” Return of the Primitive
[amazon.com/Return-Primitive-Anti-Industrial-Revolution-ebook/dp/B002OSXDAK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2HOFFE9Z3L994&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZAnEo-_pBsOvVwT53e2Z7hvXKF-tWKz8ggHWRQdBAmthEmczA3NAiuFVX6rWtU3y.wjnRLrvnxV-Ty1bP_Zagipu1oUDoII-2qOnGuirpaJc&dib_tag=se&keywords=return+of+the+primitive+by+ayn+rand&qid=1763037509&sprefix=return+of+the+primi%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-1]
This episode was recorded on November 5, 2025.
Subscribe to ARI’s YouTube channel to make sure you never miss a video:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=AynRandInstitute
Download or stream free courses on Ayn Rand’s works and ideas with the Ayn Rand Institute app:
– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
– Google Play play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aynrandu
ARI is funded by donor contributions. You can support our work by becoming an ARI Member or making a one-time contribution: ari.aynrand.org/donate
Explore these ideas further! ARI's online publication, New Ideal, explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism: newideal.aynrand.org
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******
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Visit ARI’s website for more about our content and programs: ari.aynrand.org
In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Ben Bayer and Samantha Watkins challenge Zohran Mamdani’s plan to phase out NYC’s Gifted & Talented program—a move that would hold back advanced students from the education they need to thrive—and replace it with universal free childcare.
• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:15 NYC’s Gifted & Talented Program
• 05:48 Mamdani’s Reasons to End G&T
• 13:11 Mamdani’s Universal Childcare Proposal
• 21:19 The Goal Is Punishing Gifted Kids
• 31:32 The Reaction to Mamdani’s Proposals
• 38:19 Education Is Not Zero-Sum
Resources:
• Ayn Rand, “The Age of Envy,” Return of the Primitive
• Ayn Rand, “The Comprachicos,” Return of the Primitive
[amazon.com/Return-Primitive-Anti-Industrial-Revolution-ebook/dp/B002OSXDAK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2HOFFE9Z3L994&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZAnEo-_pBsOvVwT53e2Z7hvXKF-tWKz8ggHWRQdBAmthEmczA3NAiuFVX6rWtU3y.wjnRLrvnxV-Ty1bP_Zagipu1oUDoII-2qOnGuirpaJc&dib_tag=se&keywords=return+of+the+primitive+by+ayn+rand&qid=1763037509&sprefix=return+of+the+primi%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-1]
This episode was recorded on November 5, 2025.
Subscribe to ARI’s YouTube channel to make sure you never miss a video:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=AynRandInstitute
Download or stream free courses on Ayn Rand’s works and ideas with the Ayn Rand Institute app:
– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
– Google Play play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aynrandu
ARI is funded by donor contributions. You can support our work by becoming an ARI Member or making a one-time contribution: ari.aynrand.org/donate
Explore these ideas further! ARI's online publication, New Ideal, explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism: newideal.aynrand.org
******
Keep in Touch! Sign up to receive email updates from ARI: aynrand.org/signup
Follow ARI on Twitter: twitter.com/AynRandInst
Follow ARI on Facebook: facebook.com/AynRandInstitute
Follow ARI on Instagram: instagram.com/aynrandorg
Subscribe to the ARI Live! podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ayn-rand-institute-live/id1440399458
******
Join an upcoming virtual or in-person event: ari.aynrand.org/events
Visit ARI’s website for more about our content and programs: ari.aynrand.org
