The Gist - The Art of Porn

Today on The Gist, something none of us know anything about—porn. Pesca is away, but Felix Salmon from Fusion, Piper Text (and, of course, Slate Money) will be your guide. First up, we explore the difference between art and pornography with Amy Adler from New York University. Does it have anything to do with the price tag? For the Spiel, what the July 8th glitches tell us about complex systems and illusory correlation. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Gist - Easy Listening Wasn’t Easy in 1975

On The Gist, Mike is joined by Eurasia Group President Ian Bremmer for a game we call “One Question, One Question Only.” What are the best, worst, and most likely scenarios for the Greek economy? Plus, our regular guest Chris Molanphy explores the curiously fragmented and frequently shifting Billboard chart from 1975. Don't like our Spotify playlist of the songs mentioned in today’s show? That’s just your jive talkin’. Later, we flash back to The Gist circa 1975, when the Spiel was still called the Radio Ramble and when Mike mixed Harvey Wallbangers and smoked during the show.  Come see the writers and editors of Outward live on stage at City Winery in New York this Monday, July 13. They'll have special guests Evan Wolfson and Ted Allen. For tickets, go to slate.com/nycoutward And guess what -- if you want a sneak preview of what's in store Monday, you can check J. Bryan Lowder, June Thomas, and Mark Joseph Stern in a special pilot episode of an Outward podcast. It's called "Outward Kiki," Listen here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Gist - Fear Your Shower, Not ISIS

On The Gist, NPR’s Frannie Kelley explains why Tuesday has lost its significance for the music industry. That will all change this Friday. She hosts the Microphone Check podcast on NPR and edits Yours Truly. Plus, Stephen Walt from the Harvard Kennedy School expands on his essay “Chill Out, America” in Foreign Policy. For the Spiel, Hillary Clinton is evading the question. Today’s sponsor: Volvo. Have a month’s payment on Volvo, and spend your summer doing the things that matter to you. Plus get up to five years full coverage, including wear and tear. Go to volvocars.com/us. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Gist - Nerds in the Hood

On The Gist, Mimi Valdés explains her work as chief creative officer for Pharrell Williams’ collective I Am Other. She’s a co-producer of the film Dope, the new drama-comedy from writer and director Rick Famuyiwa. For the Spiel, it didn’t take long for the joy of the U.S. winning the World Cup in women’s soccer to turn to a serious question.  If you’ve seen the movie Dope—or just want its plot spoiled for you—make sure to check out Slate’s Spoiler Special on Dope, featuring Slate film critic Dana Stevens and the three hosts of the Panoply podcast About Race. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Gist - Telling Stories: Do It Better

On The Gist, Matthew Dicks offers more tricks for helping Gist listeners tell better stories. You’re welcome. This class focuses on how to bring the emotions behind our experiences into how we tell our stories. Dicks is the author of Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend. For the Spiel, Rick Perry holds the Democrats accountable for race relations in America. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices