The Gist

Latest Episodes:

Don't Trust the Stars Dec 18, 2018

Show notes

On The Gist, maybe Rudy Giuliani isn't deteriorating. Rather, his job now (defending Trump's shenanigans) is tougher than any he's had.

Maria Konnikova is back to call bullshit on astrology. She walks us through its origins in ancient Chaldea, its popularity among history's scientists and philosophers, and the present day—where real experiments have been run. Is there any truth to it? And what about just enjoying the fun of it all?

In the Spiel, goodbye Ryan Zinke. We knew ye well enough.

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Decisions, Decisions, Decisions Dec 15, 2018

Show notes

On The Gist, the demise of the Weekly Standard.

Then, going with your gut isn't always best (despite what President Donald Trump may tell you). Writer Steven Johnson says making better decisions can be as simple as considering multiple options instead of focusing on the "should I" or "shouldn't I." He's also got anecdotes about Darwin's marital deliberations, machine learning, and the call to storm the fortress in which Osama Bin Laden ("probably," Americans figured) was ensconced. Johnson is the author of Farsighted: How We Make the Decisions That Matter the Most.

In the Spiel, pronouncing people's names correctly.

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One Quiet Leap for Mankind Dec 14, 2018

Show notes

On The Gist, Jeff Bezos is one rich man. That doesn't make him (and Amazon) bad for New York City.

In the interview, First Man is as much about Neil Armstrong the man as it is about Neil Armstrong the astronaut. Instead of depicting him planting a U.S. flag on the moon, screenwriter Josh Singer had him pay tribute to his deceased daughter. That ruffled some feathers, and Singer tells us why he stands by it.

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When the President Speaks … Dec 13, 2018

Show notes

On The Gist, President Trump interrupted Nancy Pelosi because he interrupts everyone.

In the interview, the deputy executive director of U.N. Women, Åsa Regnér, knows how to bring more women into politics. Countries like Bolivia, Rwanda, and those in Scandinavia have achieved more equal representation. So how useful are quotas? Does religion play a role? How can gender parity be seen not just as a rights issue but something smarter for policymaking, the economy, and the health of the country?

In the Spiel, putting a dollar value on the election fraud in North Carolina's 9th Congressional District.

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Halls of Fame Need Diversity, Too Dec 12, 2018

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On The Gist, it's tough to find a host for the Oscars.

In the interview, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame can quickly become incestuous, since past winners get to vote on future inductees. But this year's 15 nominees break the mold of guitar-slinging dudes with long hair. Sure, Def Leppard is in the running, but so are LL Cool J, Janet Jackson, and Kraftwerk. Music critic Chris Molanphy himself has a vote, and tells us what his ballot looks like. Molanphy is the host of the Slate podcast Hit Parade and writes Slate's "Why Is This Song No. 1?" column.

In the Spiel, Andrew Sullivan's new religions.

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They Can't Hear You, Theresa Dec 11, 2018

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On The Gist, the bottomless Pinocchio.

Americans are filled with anxiety in the pursuit of happiness, and social media isn't making it any better. But how do we even define happy, and will changing our online habits actually change anything? Author Ruth Whippman, who wrote about the phenomenon in the recent New York Times piece, "Everything Is for Sale Now. Even Us.," joins us to discuss.

In the Spiel, the Brexit vote.

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High Time for Impeachment? Dec 08, 2018

Show notes

On The Gist, the GOP isn't overtly racist. But it once was.

In the interview, Liz Holtzman was the youngest woman to be elected to the House of Representatives, and she did it in 1973. She also served as a member of the House Judiciary Committee as they held impeachment hearings for Richard Nixon. In her new book, The Case For Impeaching Trump, she explains what exactly is required to impeach a president and why Trump's actions might have already justified those proceedings.

In the Spiel, it's time to award the last Lobstar of 2018.

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The Walk of the Town Dec 07, 2018

Show notes

On The Gist, is Sherrod Brown annoying?

In the interview, Matt Green is on a yearslong mission to walk all the streets of New York City—and Jeremy Workman filmed him doing many of them for a documentary, The World Before Your Feet. Alongside Workman and executive producer Jesse Eisenberg, Green talks about Staten Island's ordinary charm, the odd street-naming conventions of Queens, and how a life of perpetual walking makes dating pretty hard.

In the Spiel, PETA.

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The Eulogy Myth Dec 06, 2018

Show notes

On The Gist, stop wishing Jews happy holidays if Hanukkah has already passed.

How do you explain wit? James Geary attempted to answer that question with his new book, Wit's End: What Wit Is, How It Works, and Why We Need It, but quickly found that the only way to write about comedy is to write comedy. He joins us to discuss the difficulties of examining this subject, the various types of wit, and why Buster Keaton is a master of the form.

In the Spiel, eulogies are the best part of any funeral, particularly a president's.

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Sullying a Pup's Good Name Dec 05, 2018

Show notes

On The Gist, a "tariff man" sing-along!

Then, Maria Konnikova is back for another round of "Is That Bullshit?" She and Mike discuss the cigar-shaped space object (known as 'Oumuamua) picked up by astronomers last year. Was it an alien vehicle, or just another flying rock?

In the Spiel, Mike proudly backs the Slate stance: George H.W. Bush's service dog probably wasn't mourning him.

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