The Gist

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Vaccines, Masks, And The Lessons Of Covid Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

Following yesterday's conversation with David Zweig about the known and unknown risks associated with how we dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic as a society, today Mike drills down on masks and vaccines with two public health communicators. First up, science writer Michael Schulson, author of the recent article "Do Masks Work? It's A Question of Physics, Biology, and Behavior" in the digital magazine Undark, then Mike talks with epidemiologist and author of the Your Local Epidemiology Substack, Katelyn Jetelina.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Harms We Cause While Doing Good Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we limited contact with other people, we wore masks, and we closed public schools. These actions saved lives. Sort of, says David Zweig, a New York-based writer who became a voice of informed opposition to these sacrifices, stating that we may be saving some lives, but at what cost? His Substack is Silent Lunch. We broke our normal format this episode to give you a longer cut of Mike's interview with Zweig, who has a book on our public health systems' response to the pandemic coming out this summer called An Abundance Of Caution.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Three Pointer Edition Mar 18, 2023

Show notes

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, with 2023 March Madness underway, we listen back to Mike's 2022 critique of the instinctive, and backward, admonishment so many announcers issue as time is winding down, "You don't need a 3!" Then we listen to this past week's Spiel on whales.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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What Makes A Flag Bad? Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

We're joined this episode by Ted Kaye for another installment of Vexillology Corner, wherein we discuss the big survey of city flags (check them out), the winners and losers, and the difference between a good and bad flag. Plus, attacking TikTok. And in the Antwentig, the Cochrane study questioning masks.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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How Benghazi Continues To Warp America Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

Former diplomat Ethan Chorin joins us to talk about his book Benghazi! A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink. Plus, San Francisco proposes reparations for black residents which has a price tag in the hundreds of billions of dollars. And the Congressional art of asking a questioning and doing everything you can to suppress an answer.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Poverty And Progress Is Narrative Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

Matthew Desmond's story in the New York Times Magazine, "Why Poverty Persists in America" contradicts Mike's understanding, past coverage, and narrative of progress in America. But that doesn't make it wrong. Plus, Dr. Judith Herman discusses her new book Truth And Repair: How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Marching Into The Madness Of State-Sanctioned Gambling Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

Reporter Ken Vogel was a lead reporter on the NYT series "A Risky Wager: How online sports betting took America by storm." He's here to discuss what some states got wrong, while others hit the jackpot on legalized sports wagering. Plus, the international criminal court is reportedly bringing war crimes charges against Russia for kidnapping Ukrainian children. And the ratings are up (Oscars) but also down (banks).

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Donald The Mafia Don Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

Whale Watch! Brendan Fraser's acceptance speech for his Best Actor Oscar in The Whale was larded with whale references, and today's Spiel is given over to examining Unusual Mortality Events among whales. Plus, an analysis of netting Mafia bosses ... and possibly Donald Trump. Elie Honig, CNN analyst and author of Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away With It, discusses prosecuting figures at the top of opaque organizations who know how to insulate themselves from culpability.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Whale Watch Edition Mar 11, 2023

Show notes

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, whales abound. We start by listening back to a Gist "Whale Watch" segment from February 24, 2016, then we revisit our most recent Monday Spiel, in which Mike talks high seas treaties.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The High Priest Of The Church Of Audience Research Mar 10, 2023

Show notes

Kevin Goetz is the movie business' most influential market researcher. He joins us to discuss his new book Audience-Ology: How Moviegoers Shape The Films We Love. Plus, White Drivers are Polluting BIPOC air in LA. And The Whale vs. Cocaine Bear.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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