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Byrd Pinkerton

Host and Senior Correspondent, Unexplainable Podcast

    Latest articles by Byrd Pinkerton

    Future Perfect
    He co-founded Skype. Now he’s spending his fortune on stopping dangerous AI.He co-founded Skype. Now he’s spending his fortune on stopping dangerous AI.
    Podcast
    Future Perfect

    Jaan Tallinn explains why AI alignment is such a crucial problem.

    By Dylan Matthews and Byrd Pinkerton
    Future Perfect podcast
    Dead people leave billions in their wills. How long do we have to listen to them?Dead people leave billions in their wills. How long do we have to listen to them?
    Podcast
    Future Perfect podcast

    Zombies control many charities. Zombies who are sometimes racist and usually misguided.

    By Byrd Pinkerton and Dylan Matthews
    Future Perfect
    The town philanthropy rebuiltThe town philanthropy rebuilt
    Podcast
    Future Perfect

    Reporter Alexandra Stevenson explains how Diane Hendricks has changed Beloit, Wisconsin.

    By Dylan Matthews and Byrd Pinkerton
    Future Perfect
    This billionaire rebuilt her town — while funding a right-wing revolution in her stateThis billionaire rebuilt her town — while funding a right-wing revolution in her state
    Podcast
    Future Perfect

    Diane Hendricks has profoundly shaped Wisconsin, for good and ill.

    By Dylan Matthews and Byrd Pinkerton
    Future Perfect
    “The time of vasectomy”: how American foundations fueled a terrible atrocity in India“The time of vasectomy”: how American foundations fueled a terrible atrocity in India
    Podcast
    Future Perfect

    The Ford and Rockefeller foundations funded “population control” programs that went horrifically awry.

    By Dylan Matthews and Byrd Pinkerton
    Future Perfect
    The incredible influence of the Federalist Society, explainedThe incredible influence of the Federalist Society, explained
    Podcast
    Future Perfect

    Amanda Hollis-Brusky explains how a student group came to control GOP court nominations.

    By Byrd Pinkerton and Dylan Matthews
    Future Perfect
    How a resort weekend for judges made courts more conservativeHow a resort weekend for judges made courts more conservative
    Podcast
    Future Perfect

    Judges who went to the seminars were likelier to rule against unions and environmental regulations.

    By Dylan Matthews and Byrd Pinkerton
    Future Perfect
    How charitable donations remade our courtsHow charitable donations remade our courts
    Podcast
    Future Perfect

    The Olin Foundation funded the Federalist Society, seminars for judges, and much more.

    By Dylan Matthews and Byrd Pinkerton
    Future Perfect
    What Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropy can teach us about the mega-rich todayWhat Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropy can teach us about the mega-rich today
    Podcast
    Future Perfect

    His libraries didn’t really make up for his brutal factories.

    By Dylan Matthews and Byrd Pinkerton
    Podcasts
    Denmark gives new fathers paid leave. Why do so few take it?Denmark gives new fathers paid leave. Why do so few take it?
    Podcast
    Podcasts

    Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

    By Jillian Weinberger, Amy Drozdowska and 2 more