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Are Bilinguals Really Smarter? May 12, 2017

Show notes

A century ago, bilingual children were seen as disadvantaged—a kid speaking English and Spanish was liable to become confused and might not learn properly. Now? Bilinguals are seen as better than the rest of us. They get dementia later. They have bigger brains and are better at focusing on tasks. So what's the truth? Our resident social science sleuth Maria Konnikova investigates. She's a New Yorker contributor and author of The Confidence Game. Her new podcast is The Grift.

In the Spiel, the news buried this week by the firing of James Comey.

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Clint Watts, Testifier Extraordinaire May 11, 2017

Show notes

We're zooming out on Russia's influencing machine with the help of Clint Watts, the national security expert who had a star turn in March with his soundbite-ready testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Watts explains why the partisan skew on fake news is "kind of garbage." Plus, he has tips for testifying—just in case you get a call from Congress. Watts is a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

In the Spiel, hanging on every phrase President Trump invented this week.

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The Man Who Wrote the Comey Memo May 10, 2017

Show notes

Former FBI Director James Comey has been called "rapturous of his own righteousness," but by most accounts the man who assisted in Comey's ouster could be described the same way. Rod Rosenstein, No. 2 at the Department of Justice, wrote the memo justifying Comey's firing, but he's had a sterling reputation until now as a fastidiously apolitical prosecutor. Leon Neyfakh, justice reporter for Slate, explains the lingering questions surrounding Comey's dismissal and Rosenstein's role in what happens next.

In the Spiel, остановить! This has nothing to do with Russia.

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Are We Smart Enough to Be a Direct Democracy? May 09, 2017

Show notes

Soon, every person on Earth will be connected, via social media, to every other person. So why do we approach policy like it's the '70s? In his book The Great Questions of Tomorrow, David Rothkopf asks how we can change our policy outlook to reflect how people actually interact. Rothkopf is CEO and editor of the FP Group and host of The Editor's Roundtable podcast.

In the Spiel: Is air travel getting worse or are we just more demanding?

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The Formation of Stephen Miller May 08, 2017

Show notes

Trump adviser Stephen Miller seemed to burst onto the national scene this past February, with his memorable defense of the White House's travel ban and claims of voter fraud. But New York magazine's Reeves Wiedeman says Miller's education in punditry came years earlier, as a Duke University student commenting on the Duke lacrosse scandal for cable news. Back then, Miller was recognizably pugnacious and self-assured—but he was also right.

In the Spiel, we live in times of confusion and flashing-neon warning signs. How does all that add up to utter indifference?

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What's in the Bill? With Sarah Kliff May 05, 2017

Show notes

Vox health care writer Sarah Kliff returns to discuss the return of the health care reform bill that just won't die. In Kliff's estimation, the new bill, if passed in the Senate, would be great for the rich and terrible for the sick. Kliff is a columnist and co-host of The Weeds podcast. In the Spiel, why we were surprised by zombie health reform. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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Observing Obscura Day May 04, 2017

Show notes

A hallowed day is nearly upon us: Obscura Day on Saturday, May 6. Think of it like a worldwide quest to discover all things odd and remarkable. The whole thing was dreamed up by the surveyors and spelunkers at Atlas Obscura. Today, Mike steps in as your Obscura Day scout, venturing into the Lite Brite Neon Studio in Brooklyn. Saturday's expeditions include a kayaking trip to a ship graveyard in Maryland, an Absinthe demonstration in London, and a tour of the world's first nuclear power plant in Idaho. Check out Atlas Obscura's website to find an Obscura Day event near you. In the Spiel, health care is supposed to be the one intimate area where a politician's lie won't work. So… what's going on? Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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Sarah Manguso's Words to Live By May 03, 2017

Show notes

Only a fire can prove what survives a fire. Well, no, says Sarah Manguso. It only proves what would survive that fire. Manguso, an essayist and poet, offers modern wisdom and witticisms in her new book 300 Arguments. Plus, Donald Trump gets the Ken Burns treatment.

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Red Feed, Blue Feed With Cass Sunstein May 03, 2017

Show notes

Harvard professor Cass Sunstein returns to discuss his new book #Republic, which looks at polarization in the digital age. While America isn't more polarized than ever, Sunstein says it's important to focus on how today's problems are different and new. "You find yourself in a cocoon, even if you didn't choose it," says Sunstein. But he sees hope in sites that are actively trying to sell their readers on content from outside their normal media diet. "In the fullness of time, the non–echo chamber model is going to be producing a lot of revenue."

No Spiel today, due to technical difficulties. Mike explains in the top of the show.

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Facing Your Genetic Destiny May 01, 2017

Show notes

The Baxley family was cursed with a horrible disease—something like mad cow, but for human beings. The younger members of the family might have the disease, and there's a test that would tell them definitively. But knowing for sure could screw up their whole family relationship. In her book Mercies in Disguise, author Gina Kolata explores the family's incredibly painful decision. Kolata is a science reporter for the New York Times.

Plus, we cover the downfall of Sebastian Gorka and ask why Trump supporters are willing to let some pretty dubious policies slide.

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