Make Me Smart

Latest Episodes:

The long game of high interest rates Jun 01, 2024

Show notes

The latest data from the Federal Reserve’s favorite inflation measure hinted that inflation is cooling. But the Fed is still on guard, meaning higher interest rates for longer than many had expected. We’ll get into how that will likely be felt differently by Americans at opposite ends of the income spectrum. Then, we’ll get into the risky return of zero-down mortgages. Plus, we’ll weigh in on Chevy Malibus and merch during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Inflation Remains Steady, With Signs of Further Cooling” from The New York Times

“Zero-down mortgages are making a comeback” from CNN

“CFPB Launches Inquiry into Junk Fees in Mortgage Closing Costs” from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

“GM to discontinue the Chevy Malibu later this year” from Marketplace

“Zoom cashiers may signal a new era of digital offshoring and remote work” from Marketplace

“Venice’s new admission fee cannot curb overtourism” from The Economist

“Chobani Yogurt Founder Buys Anchor Brewing Company” from The New York Times

“The End of Merch” from GQ

We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The growing troubles at OpenAI May 30, 2024

Show notes

A former OpenAI board member dropped a bombshell allegation about CEO Sam Altman and the company’s ethics. But this isn’t the first time employees have expressed safety concerns about the company. We’ll explain. Plus, a new rule aims to protect buy now, pay later users. And, how college sports might finally get recognized as a multibillion-dollar business.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“The Golden Triangle: How the CHIPS Act is changing one Arizona neighborhood” from Marketplace

“What really went down at OpenAI and the future of regulation w/ Helen Toner” from The TED AI Show

“Former OpenAI board member explains why they fired Sam Altman” from The Verge

“Commissioner Sankey: ‘There’s no better time to be a student-athlete’” from SEC Sports

“What to know about House v. NCAA settlement and a historic day for college sports” from The New York Times

“Klarna CEO on CFPB declaration: Wise to put regulations around this” from CNBC

“CFPB Takes Action to Ensure Consumers Can Dispute Charges and Obtain Refunds on Buy Now, Pay Later Loans” from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

“Buy now, pay later debt grows but is hidden from credit bureaus” from Marketplace

Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks and play a round of Half Full/Half Empty.

A Trump-Musk bromance May 29, 2024

Show notes

After years of having a frosty relationship, Elon Musk and Donald Trump are warming up to each other. We’ll discuss what a potential political marriage might mean for a second Trump administration. Plus, who actually donates to political campaigns? Later, we’ll smile about two giant pandas returning to D.C.’s National Zoo!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Fewer Americans to Make Political Donations in 2024” from LendingTree

“Fewer Americans plan to donate to political campaigns: Survey” from The Hill

“Inside Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Growing Alliance” from The Wall Street Journal

“Two New Giant Pandas Coming to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute From China by End of the Year” from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

“The Pandas Are Coming!” from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

“Latest North Korean Offensive: Dumping Trash on South Korea From the Sky” from The New York Times

We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

How Big Food changed the way we eat May 29, 2024

Show notes

Today we’re talking about food. Specifically, Big Food. In his book, “Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry,” Austin Frerick, agricultural and antitrust policy fellow at Yale, argues the food system is the most consolidated sector in the United States. On the show today, Frerick explains how the American food system became so concentrated, how that’s inflated prices and eroded quality, and what we should do about it. Plus, Walmart’s role as king of grocery kings.

Then, we’ll get into why Boeing can’t keep up with SpaceX. And, an expert on youth mental health (and former guest on “Make Me Smart”) was wrong about how teens curate their social media feeds.

Here’s everything else we talked about today:

1. “Lax Antitrust Enforcement Imperils The Nation’s Supply Chains” from Forbes

“What Is “Big Ag,” and Why Should You Be Worried About Them?” from Union of Concerned Scientists

“The problem with growing corporate concentration and power in the global food system” from Nature Food

“Major retailers are offering summer deals to entice inflation-weary shoppers” from AP News

“US Consumer Confidence Rises for First Time in Four Months” from Bloomberg

“Inflation now means high prices, not just rising costs” from Axios

“What do Americans think about inflation?” from The Brookings Institution

“Boeing Prepared to Fly Crewed Space Taxi With Helium Leak” from Bloomberg

We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Biden doubling down on tariffs May 25, 2024

Show notes

More tariffs from the Joe Biden administration on Chinese goods are on the way, and he gave his blessing to some Trump-era tariffs. We’ll break it down. Plus, why a story about a local public library becoming an adults-only space may be a warning of things to come. Later, we’ll weigh in on Chuck E. Cheese’s animatronic band, whales sinking yachts and “quiet vacationing” during a round of Half Full / Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Biden Extends Tariff Exemptions on Some Imports From China” from Bloomberg

“Donnelly Public Library announces it will become adults-only library, cites Idaho Legislature’s library bill” from KTVB

“Employers can offer a new benefit: Matching student loan payments with 401(k) contributions” from Marketplace

“After Outcry, Chuck E. Cheese Says It Will Keep More Animatronic Bands” from The New York Times

“The Mad Scientist and the Killer Whales” from Rolling Stone

“The restaurant reservation resale game is on the rise in New York City” from Marketplace

“Some younger workers are ‘quiet vacationing’ rather than using PTO” from Marketplace

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How the Palestinian financial system is tied up in Israel May 23, 2024

Show notes

After Israel threatened to cut ties between Israeli and Palestinian banks, Treasury Secretary Yellen warned it could worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and create economic instability in the West Bank. We’ll also explain one reason why U.S. military spending is so high, get updates on the AI economy’s hot shot, Nvidia, and the U.S. government’s battle against Big Ticket.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

1. “Yellen Warns Israel Against Cutting off Palestinian Banks” from The New York Times
2. “Yellen concerned about Israel’s threats to cut off Palestinian banks” from Reuters
3. VIDEO: “VIRAL MOMENT: Michael Waltz Confronts Air Force Officials With Staggeringly Expensive Components” from Forbes Breaking News
4. “Pentagon falling victim to price gouging by military contractors” from CBS News
5. “New Bipartisan Bill Allows Military Contractors To Fleece Taxpayers” from The Lever
6. “Nvidia dominates in AI, but others are trying to chip away” from Marketplace
7. “US sues to break up Ticketmaster and Live Nation in a groundbreaking monopoly lawsuit” from CNN Business

Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks and play a round of Half Full/Ha

Private equity, endless shrimp and Red Lobster’s decline May 22, 2024

Show notes

Red Lobster, the popular seafood chain, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week after closing dozens of locations. We’ll get into the company’s yearslong troubles and why its unlimited shrimp deal isn’t entirely responsible for the chain’s downfall. Then, we’ll discuss the challenges of battling misinformation in today’s fractured media landscape. Plus, WNBA players are slaying designer looks and defying stereotypes of women in sports.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Tales From the Trenches of Red Lobster’s Endless Shrimp.” from Slate

“Why Red Lobster Filed for Bankruptcy: It Wasn’t the Endless Shrimp” from Eater

“As Red Lobster files for bankruptcy, changing tastes take a toll on its casual-dining competitors” from Marketplace

“Majority of Americans wrongly believe US is in recession – and most blame Biden” from The Guardian

“How Arizona is preparing for AI-powered election misinformation” from Marketplace

“The WNBA Has Teamed Up With High Fashion. It’s a Slam Dunk” from The Daily Beast

“General election latest: Rishi Sunak announces 4 July vote in Downing Street statement” from BBC

Video of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announcing general election from Oz Katerji on X

We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Neoliberalism’s sleight of hand May 22, 2024

Show notes

Over the last 50 years, an ideology known as neoliberalism has transformed the American economy — for better or worse. The concept is often associated with Ronald Reagan, free markets and deregulation. But legal scholar Mehrsa Baradaran says there’s a lot we get wrong about the origins of neoliberalism and its true impact on society. On the show today, Baradaran, author of the new book “The Quiet Coup: Neoliberalism and the Looting of America,” explains what neoliberal ideology promised to do for the American economy, what it actually did and why she believes that looking to the free market might, ironically, be the only way forward.

Then, why actress Scarlett Johansson isn’t cool with OpenAI’s new chatbot. And we’ll hear the sounds of cicadas!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Opinion | The Neoliberal Looting of America” from The New York Times

“What is neoliberalism? A political scientist explains the use and evolution of the term” from The Conversation

“Opinion | Time is up for neoliberals” from The Washington Post

“Learning how to use AI could boost your pay by 25%, study finds” from CNN Business

“Scarlett Johansson says OpenAI chatbot voice ‘eerily similar’ to hers” from Reuters

We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Getting deep about deepfakes May 20, 2024

Show notes

Today, we’re talking about the different efforts to invest in artificial intelligence. First up, guest host Lily Jamali breaks down Argentina’s endeavor to turn the country into an AI hub. Then, we’ll discuss the use of AI and deepfakes in India’s election in an attempt to reach voters. Later, we’ll smile about America’s first Black astronaut candidate finally taking a trip to space.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Argentina’s Milei Plans to Meet With Zuckerberg at End of May” from Bloomberg

“Indian Voters Are Being Bombarded With Millions of Deepfakes. Political Candidates Approve” from Wired

Marketplace’s Decoding Democracy election series

“Dirty Dancing, Back to the Future and E.T. Voted Best 80s Films: Poll Reveals Top 40 Movies From Big-Hair Days” from Good News Network

“Ed Dwight Goes to Space 63 Years After Training as 1st Black Astronaut” from The New York Times

“Can life exist on Europa, Jupiter’s moon?” from Marketplace

We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The price tag on friendship May 18, 2024

Show notes

Prices have been rising for pretty much everything these days. And for some, it’s raising the cost of making friends as more folks turn to paid activities like art classes and happy hours to socialize. We’ll get into it. And, we’ll explain the latest scandal that’s left the Supreme Court in a bind. Plus, we’ll weigh in on Chuck E. Cheese animatronics and bridesmaid debt during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today: