that is jonathan rauch. enior writer and columnist for national journal, also a correspondent for the atlantic monthly and writer in residence at the brookings institution. jonathan is one of the most astute, interesting, and original commentators on the political scene today. he is the author of several books, including gay marriage, why it is good for days commended for storage commended for america, a book most relevant to the current drama in washington. governments end. why washington stopped working? it doesn't seem to have resumed. and most relevant for today's proceedings, timely inquisitors, new attacks on free thought. please everyone join me in welcoming jonathan rauch. [applauding] >> thank you, everybody. i am here to tell you today, unfortunately, what an annoying book this is. i have to admire timothy ferris since 1988 coming-of-age in the milky way, a marvelous book. beautifully written yet scientifically sophisticated. the author has a particular flair bordering on genius with a pen portraits