Our Week In The Web: April 25, 2014

There's something about a controversial topic that brings out followers and fans (and their opposite) that we didn't even know we had. We're referring, of course to our Monday hour on former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's $50 million dollar push for gun regulations. It's an interesting topic, to be sure — an avowed centrist with big pockets waging political money war against politicians of all stripes in a midterm election year — but his aim is one that draws all manner of anger and frustration in any forum. Our callers were passionate, and so were our guests, but many of our online commenters / Facebook fans / Twitter followers ventured into some rather heated debates. We got dragged along in more than one Twitter canoe, and it was interesting to see the debates rage and fall and fizzle out, especially when the members of the debate hadn't even listened to the program in question. Social engagement in the digital space is an important part of the work we do, but occasionally we wonder if you even want us involved in the exercise thereof.

1. Who Needs A Life Coach? (April 23, 2014)

2. Week In The News: Putin On Ukraine And A 'New Russia,' A Ferry Down, Economic Questions (April 18, 2014)

3. The Supreme Court On Aereo And The Future Of TV (April 23, 2014)

4. Banning Affirmative Action: The California Story (April 24, 2014)

5. Iraq Teeters On The Edge of Civil War (April 22, 2014)

"There is such a gauntlet of risk that you go through when you climb up to Everest." — Conrad Anker

"Rich writers are poor people with money." — Isabel Allende 

"Dinosaurs appear to have been pretty social. We have evidence they traveled in herds." — Jack Horner 

"'If people are looking for leaders, they're gonna recognize that that grey hair is an asset." — Allison Rimm

"We don't have an equal path to elite universities in this country." — Gary Orfield 

"Miracle drug is generally an oxymoron." (Scott Wright Webb)

"We are the richest people in the history of the world, and probably the most self-absorbed. So of course - everybody needs a life coach." (andrewgarrett)

"I am a defender of everyones right to keep and bear arms. But I have no problem with background checks and registration. What I'm against is these organizations trying to deny our second amendment rights." (Maverick M. Nomenclature)

"Didn't Jonas Salk give away the polio vaccine.. Pretty bi[g] pendulum swing in social conscience." (@ber_news)

This map of professional baseball's assorted fandoms as determined by Facebook activity (NYT / The Upshot)