The Gist

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Will #MeToo Face the Music? Jan 23, 2019

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On The Gist, Joni Ernst's divorce filing.

When Jessica Hopper started out writing about music, trolls and affronted fans didn't tweet at you; they wrote you a letter. The world's move to digital has changed that, and helped bring about the #MeToo movement (notice the hashtag?). But despite R. Kelly's fall, Hopper says the rest of the music industry may prove resistant to change. Hopper is the author of a new memoir, Night Moves.

In the Spiel, the Covington Catholic teens aren't the disease, they're a symptom.

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For 2020, Steve King Is Dead Weight Jan 19, 2019

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On The Gist, BuzzFeed's new report on Trump.

Earlier this week Rep. Steve King was denounced by much of his party because of remarks he gave to the New York Times about white supremacy. He may have misspoken or chosen to change his wording if given the chance, but according to the Storm Lake Times' Art Cullen, who has been covering King for years in Iowa and recently wrote about King in the Guardian, that's just not his style. But his straight talk won't work in Iowa if it's riddled with dishonesty. Art Cullen is here to discuss.

In the Spiel, feeding the anger machine.

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Know Your Memes, or Be Fooled by Them Jan 18, 2019

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On the Gist, the knife-wielding skills of Nancy Pelosi.

In the interview, An Xiao Mina has tracked the meme from its goofy origins to its use in anti-authoritarian protest and (more recently) disinformation. What's next, and how can we minimize the harm caused by the internet's worst actors? An Xiao Mina is the author of Memes to Movements: How the World's Most Viral Media Is Changing Social Protest and Power.

In the Spiel, Pelosi can't go to Afghanistan because Trump is one impetuous manbaby.

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Tax Their Stuff, Not Their Money Jan 17, 2019

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On The Gist, Kirsten Gillibrand running for president.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently floated the idea of a 70 percent marginal tax rate on America's highest earners. That's bad for millionaires, but is it even that good for everyone else? The New Yorker's Adam Davidson argues it isn't: High taxes wouldn't rake in that much cash, and they might even scare taxpayers out of the country. Still, he's clear-eyed about the dangers of concentrated money and thinks a wealth tax (on the value of what you own, not what you make) is where it's really at.

In the Spiel, you should have thought of that.

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Stop Going Nuclear Jan 16, 2019

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On The Gist, 'twas an eventful news day (William Barr, opioid fatality statistics, Brexit … ), but Mike's got a big Spiel to fry.

In the interview, Greg Jaczko served as chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission under Obama—and soon grew disillusioned with nuclear energy technology itself. He joins us to explain what changed his thinking and where to turn for tomorrow's energy. Jaczko's new book is Confessions of a Rogue Nuclear Regulator.

In the Spiel, a thought experiment in which Trump is given the benefit of the doubt regarding Russia … and still comes out looking like a scoundrel.

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Against Steve King, Words Aren't Enough Jan 15, 2019

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On The Gist, president Trump is far from tough on Russia, and too many news talk shows let his allies make that claim.

In the interview, Jennifer Traig thought she knew what she was getting into when she became a parent, until "washing diarrhea out of neckfolds" came along. In her latest book, she turns to history to sort the parenting techniques and philosophies that are worth keeping from those that aren't. Traig is the author of Act Natural: A Cultural History of Misadventures in Parenting.

In the Spiel, Republicans are speaking out against congressman Steve King for his racist comments. But how about some action?

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The Future (of A.I.) Is Chinese Jan 12, 2019

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On The Gist, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's star power isn't something to fear. Especially if you're a Democrat.

"The world is a very dangerous place!" as a statement from President Donald Trump's desk once put it. Eurasia Group president Ian Bremmer gets that, which is why his firm writes a list of top geopolitical risks at the start of every year. In 2019, these include America's response to growing tech and A.I. dominance from China, presidential elections in Ukraine and Nigeria, and cyberwar. Bremmer is also the founder of GZero Media and hosts its podcast, GZero World With Ian Bremmer.

In the Spiel, ringing in the year's first Lobstar of the Antentwig.

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When Fact Meets Fiction Jan 11, 2019

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On The Gist, costs and benefits in the government.

In the interview, Matthew Heineman is here to discuss his new film A Private War. Though usually a documentary filmmaker, this time around he tried his hand at a feature. Focused on the life of journalist Marie Colvin, it's surprising how many documentary techniques Heineman employed when making the film, which uniquely fits the story being told. A Private War will be available on Feb. 5.

In the Spiel, the rhyming Kellyanne Conway.

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The Kids Are Not All Right Jan 10, 2019

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On The Gist, the days are getting longer, the brand names shorter.

In the interview, millennial whisperer (or, you know, just plain millennial) Anne Helen Petersen recently diagnosed "the burnout generation" in a viral feature for BuzzFeed. Student debt, the 2008 financial crisis, relatively low levels of family wealth—all have contributed to their dire straits. But could their biggest burden be a mental one?

In the Spiel, President Trump's unsurprisingly empty Oval Office address.

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Addressing the Facts Jan 09, 2019

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On The Gist, do presidential addresses change anything?

In the interview, NPR's David Folkenflik joins us to talk about Donald Trump's Oval Office address. Should the networks give airtime to someone so averse to facts, even if he is the president? Is there any precedent for this? And what repercussions for lying will Trump face, if any?

In the Spiel, 5G networks.

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