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TikTok's Shady Deal with the U.S. Aug 25, 2023

Show notes

In the spring, it looked like TikTok was on the verge of being banned in America. Since then, it’s continued operating business as usual.

But this week, it was revealed that ByteDance and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States came close to striking a deal that would allow TikTok to continue operating in the U.S. The negotiations give a glimpse into how social media—and by extension speech itself—could be regulated on the internet.

Guest:

Emily Baker-White, tech reporter and senior writer at Forbes

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From a Texas Bus to the New York Subway Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

Over the past year, a growing number of women and children started appearing on New York City subway platforms and trains, selling candy. Their stories illuminate a country in turmoil a continent away—and an ongoing migrant crisis at home.

Guest: Jordan Salama, author of “The Candy Sellers: The lives and livelihoods of some of the city’s newest migrant children” for New York magazine.

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What’s Vivek Ramaswamy’s Deal? Aug 23, 2023

Show notes

Polls show Vivek Ramaswamy pulling even with Ron DeSantis in the Republican presidential primary, trailing only Donald Trump (albeit substantially).

How did Ramaswamy go from anonymous multimillionaire to a potential Trump alternative in just six months? And what would a Ramaswamy administration look like?

Guest: Mini Racker, staff writer covering politics for TIME Magazine.

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Why The Blind Side's Narrative Fell Apart Aug 22, 2023

Show notes

Last week, retired NFL lineman Michael Oher sued the Tuohy family and revealed a gulf between real life and how he and the family were portrayed in 2009’s The Blind Side.

Guest: Santul Nerkar, reporter on sports and business for the New York Times.

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Why Tuition’s So Damn High Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

Over the last 20 years, the average college student at a public university has seen prices go up 64 percent, as schools spend more and more on amenities to attract students and raise their own rankings.

Guest: Melissa Korn, higher education reporter at the Wall Street Journal.

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Digital Life After Death Aug 20, 2023

Show notes

Sorting through a loved one’s things after they’ve died can be an emotional, difficult chore. But now, added to that, people have to sort through the deceased’s password-protected online presence.

Guests:

Kate Lindsay, author of the internet culture newsletter Embedded and the article “My Mom Will Email Me After She Dies” in the Atlantic.

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How Crypto Fails Sex Workers Aug 18, 2023

Show notes

At first, cryptocurrency seemed like the solution to the problems sex workers have had with traditional banks. But as the US moves to regulate the crypto industry, many are finding it hasn’t worked out like they hoped.

Guests:

Joel Khalili, reporter at Wired

Liara Roux, sex worker, organizer, and writer

You can check out Joel’s reporting in Wired here.

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Who Failed Hawaii? Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

Hawaii is in flames, with the death toll from fires on Maui exceeding 100. Now, the search for where the failure—or multiple failures—occurred begins.

Guest: Brianna Sacks, reporter covering climate change and extreme weather for the Washington Post.

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Fani Willis Takes on Trump Aug 16, 2023

Show notes

The fourth shoe dropped this week, when Fulton County DA Fani Willis announced Donald Trump’s latest indictment, charging the former president, along with 18 others, for engaging in a sprawling criminal conspiracy to disenfranchise Georgia voters. Trump has been responding by lashing out against Willis and voters in Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee.

Guest: Rick Hasen, professor of law at UCLA and director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project.

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The Trials of Hunter Biden Aug 15, 2023

Show notes

Earlier this summer, it looked like Hunter Biden’s legal team had reached a plea deal. But last week, the Justice Department announced a special counsel was being appointed to his case. What happened in between? Is the president's son getting singled out—or special treatment?

Guest: Ankush Khardori, attorney and a former federal prosecutor in the US Justice Department.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work.

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