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The Gist — Daily News
The Gist

For thirty minutes each day, Pesca challenges himself and his audience, in a responsibly provocative style, and gets beyond the rigidity and dogma. The Gist is surprising, reasonable, and willing to critique the left, the right, either party, or any idea.

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Recentering American Politics Sep 29, 2017

Show notes

For the past 25 years, Bill Kristol of the Weekly Standard and Bill Galston of the Brookings Institution have been debating the meaning of presidential elections. But in 2016, they found themselves agreeing much more frequently on issues such as immigration, the tech industry, and tax reform. These men, on opposite sides of center, decided to develop a plan to recenter American politics. Galston and Kristol's new project is the New Center.

In the Spiel, a librarian rejected books donated by Melania Trump.

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It's Time to Rethink Puerto Rico Sep 27, 2017

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It's time for Vexillology Corner: Last month, the city of Pocatello, Idaho, presented a new city flag to replace their previous one, known for being one of the ugliest flags in the United States. But what makes a flag ugly? Vexillologist Ted Kaye describes Pocatello's new flag and reminds us why a kid should be able to draw it. Kaye is the author of Good Flag, Bad Flag.

In the Spiel, a brief word from economist Tyler Cowen, who summarizes the grim outlook for Puerto Rico.

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Mark Lilla's Advice for Liberals Sep 26, 2017

Show notes

Mark Lilla made a lot of liberals bristle with his New York Times op-ed, "The End of Identity Liberalism." But Lilla insists that what he's suggesting should not make the bleeding hearts clutch their hemp necklaces in horror. His premise is simple: To make meaningful gains, Democrats need institutional power (i.e., election wins). And far too often, Lilla says, liberals have sacrificed such ends for what he calls "noble defeats." Lilla's book is The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics.

In the Spiel, Saudi Arabia will allow women to drive.

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David Litt is D.C. Funny Sep 25, 2017

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Working in the White House sounds impressive, but speechwriter David Litt says it's not like The West Wing. Some days you just find salmon in a toilet, or have to tell the president that he looks like Hitler. Litt shares his experience as a self-described unimportant person working in the most important place in America. Litt's new book Thanks, Obama is out now, and you can find him on Twitter.

In the Spiel, it's a sports talk hot take.

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2007 Defined the Next Decade In Pop Sep 22, 2017

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The chart-topping hits of 2007 featured Beyoncé at peak pop and Kanye West ahead of the curve with electronic dance music. Why do the hits of 2007 have such impressive staying power? Chris Molanphy says it might be because the 2007 Billboard charts were more comprehensive than ever, marking the first time that digital music sales were incorporated into a song's ranking. Molanphy writes Slate's Why Is This Song No. 1? column and hosts the podcast Hit Parade.

In the Spiel, John McCain just keeps on delivering.

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Dylan Moran Will Say It to Your Face Sep 21, 2017

Show notes

Dylan Moran is a comedian from Ireland, a resident of Scotland, and a worried observer of politics in America. He talks to Mike about his way with words and why he thinks satire might bring down the 45th president. Moran is touring the U.S. now with his latest stand-up show, Grumbling Mustard.

In the Spiel, democracy is exacerbating international tragedy.

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Credit Where Credit Is Due Sep 20, 2017

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This much we know: The Equifax data breach is bad. How can the credit bureaus, who have been described as the "plumbing" of our financial system, show so little regard for the people whose data they collect? New York Times columnist Gretchen Morgenson says it's simple: We are not their customers, we are their product. Morgenson writes the Fair Game column. Her most recent book is Reckless Endangerment: How Outsized Ambition, Greed, and Corruption Led to Economic Armageddon.

In the Spiel, the Jimmy Kimmel test.

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The Frat Doesn't Have Your Back Sep 19, 2017

Show notes

Sigma Alpha Epsilon was already the country's deadliest fraternity when it became famous in 2015 for its racist chants. But Bloomberg News senior editor John Hechinger says SAE's response to its scandal was unusual, as leaders used his reporting to try to reform members. Even so, the rising costs of insuring national fraternities might cause local chapters to shut down before reforms can take root. "The leaders of SAE know they are a legal judgment away from oblivion," writes Hechinger. His book is True Gentlemen: The Broken Pledge of America's Fraternities.

In the Spiel, Trump's speech at the United Nations.

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Was Booger Really A Nerd? Sep 19, 2017

Show notes

Why does the movie Revenge of the Nerds continue to resonate today? Because, aside from how funny it is, it stands up for outcasts. Actor Curtis Armstrong explains what he took away from the film playing Booger, who was accepted by the nerds despite not really being one of them. Armstrong is the author of Revenge of the Nerd: Or… The Singular Adventures of the Man Who Would Be Booger.

In the Spiel, health care for all!

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Ted Leo's Hanged-Man Wisdom Sep 15, 2017

Show notes

On The Gist, Mike talks to one of his favorites: Musician Ted Leo discusses letting his political frustrations fuel his songwriting (see his song, "William Weld in the 21st Century") and explains how he finds solace in the tarot card image of the hanged man, which inspired the name of his new album. The Hanged Man is available now. For more on Ted Leo, read Michael Tedder's story in Stereogum, "Ted Leo Is Like You."

In the Spiel, why it's silly to say that speech equals violence.

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