Month: December 2015

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World Book Club - Leila Aboulela – Minaret

This month World Book Club talks to Sudanese writer Leila Aboulela about her award-winning novel Minaret.

This poignant and lyrical tale traces the journey of a young woman, Najwa, who is forced to flee her native Khartoum in Sudan, amidst conflict and political turmoil and exchange it for the anonymity of London.

Drawing on her own experience, Leila Aboulela creates a rich and moving narrative, exploring the fault lines between traditional Islamic culture and the modern, cosmopolitan life of Western Europe.

This beautiful, challenging novel traces Najwa’s struggle with bigotry and faith; isolation and love as she attempts to make sense of her new life and surroundings whilst not losing sight of her roots and heritage.

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Song Exploder - Björk – Stonemilker

In January 2015, Björk released Vulnicura. She described it as "a complete heartbreak album." And in November, she released Vulnicura Strings, a companion album that stripped away the electronics. In this episode, Björk breaks down the making of both the original version of the song "Stonemilker," as well as the strings version. She traces her writing and recording process for the track, her collaboration with the electronic producer Arca, and why she wanted to make a second version.

This episode is sponsored by Hover, Lagunitas Brewing Company, and Turntable Lab.

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Serious Inquiries Only - AS198: Debating Abortion, with Tyler Vela

Here’s part 1 of a 2 part spirited debate with Christian and past guest, Tyler Vela. Tyler hosts a podcast called the Freed Thinker, which you can find on iTunes or through google. If you’d like access to part 2 right away, check out http://www.patreon.com/atheist!

The post AS198: Debating Abortion, with Tyler Vela appeared first on Atheistically Speaking.

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The Gist - Gihad for the Calif8

On The Gist, Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker explains how our birth order influences personality and intelligence for a game we call “Is That Bulls--t?” Does IQ go down after the firstborn? Her new book, The Confidence Game, is now available for preorder. For the Spiel, Mike’s takeaways form the CNN Republican presidential debate last night. Read more of Slate’s coverage of the GOP primary. Today’s sponsors: Stamps.com, where you can buy and print official U.S. postage right from your desk using your own computer and printer. Use the promo code THEGIST to get a no-risk trial and a $110 bonus offer. Shari’s Berries. Fresh berries dipped in chocolate, starting at just $19.99 are a great last-minute gift, and double your berries for just $10. Visit berries.com, click on the microphone, and use the code GIST. 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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SCOTUScast - Dollar General Corporation v. Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians – Post-Argument SCOTUScast

On December 7, 2015, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in Dollar General Corporation v. Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. This case concerns a dispute over tribal court jurisdiction relating to allegations that the non-Indian manager of a Dollar General store on Choctaw tribal land sexually molested an Indian minor who interned at the store. When the minor’s parents sought to hold Dolgencorp--the subsidiary that operated the store--vicariously liable for the manager’s conduct, Dolgencorp petitioned in federal district court for an injunction barring tribal court proceedings, on the grounds that the tribal court lacked jurisdiction. The district court denied relief, concluding that while tribal courts typically lack civil authority over the conduct of non-members on non-Indian land within a reservation, Dolgencorp’s situation fell within a “consensual relationship” exception to the rule. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed, and denied rehearing en banc over the dissent of five judges. -- The question before the Supreme Court is whether Indian tribal courts have jurisdiction to adjudicate civil tort claims against non-members, including as a means of regulating the conduct of non-members who enter into consensual relationships with a tribe or its members. -- To discuss the case, we have Zachary Price, who is Associate Professor of Law at University of California, Hastings College of Law.
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The Gist - May the Pastiche Be With You

On The Gist, Slate’s Forrest Wickman explains the many layers that a casual visitor to the Star Wars universe might miss. He recently wrote the cover story “Star Wars Is a Postmodern Masterpiece” for Slate. For the Spiel, do the Iowa caucuses really matter? Today’s sponsors: Berries. Fresh berries dipped in chocolate, starting at just $19.99, are a great last-minute gift, and double your berries for just 10 bucks. Visit berries.com, click on the microphone, and use the code GIST. Bonobos. Discover the difference an expertly crafted, better-fitting wardrobe can make. For a limited time, all new customers can get 20 percent off their first order by going to bonobos.com/gist. 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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