The Intelligence from The Economist - Bytes and pieces: America’s Chinese-tech attack

First it was Bytedance’s app TikTok, now it’s Tencent’s WeChat: the Trump administration’s fervour to ban or dismantle wildly popular Chinese apps is increasing. In these straitened times, employees naturally worry that robots and software are coming for jobs—but the pandemic may actually slow that transition. And Britain’s government suggests slimming down even as it subsidises meals out.

For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer

You're Wrong About - Wayfair and Human Trafficking Statistics

In another "mini" episode that accidentally turned mega, Mike tells Sarah about the Wayfair conspiracy theory and the sketchy statistical screenshots that have shown up in its wake. Digressions include "Inside Llewyn Davis," Miranda Priestley and (sigh) Jeffrey Epstein. This episode contains, we're sorry to say, detailed descriptions of child abuse.

We recommend listening to this episode alongside our "Human Trafficking" episode from last year, which contains much more context for understanding this issue: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/human-trafficking/id1380008439?i=1000465289965

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Where else to find us:
Sarah's other show, Why Are Dads
Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase

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Strict Scrutiny - Magical Moment

Leah and Kate are joined by Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of NAACP LDF. They further break down the “shadow docket” cases from last term, highlight an underappreciated theme of the last term, and identify some things to watch in the next few months.

Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2025! 

  • 6/12 – NYC
  • 10/4 – Chicago

Learn more: http://crooked.com/events

Order your copy of Leah's book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes

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NBN Book of the Day - Stuart Ritchie, “Science Fictions: Exposing Fraud, Bias, Negligence, and Hype in Science” (Penguin Books, 2020)

So much relies on science. But what if science itself can’t be relied on? In Science Fictions: Exposing Fraud, Bias, Negligence, and Hype in Science (Penguin Books, 2020), Stuart Ritchie, a professor of psychology at King’s College London, lucidly explains how science works, and exposes the systemic issues that prevent the scientific enterprise from living up to its truth-seeking ideals.

While the scientific method will always be our best way of knowing about the world, the current system of funding and publishing incentivizes bad behavior on the part of scientists. As a result, many widely accepted and highly influential theories and claims—priming, sleep and nutrition, genes and the microbiome, and a host of drugs, allergies, and therapies—are based on unreliable, exaggerated and even fraudulent papers. Bad incentives in science have influenced everything from austerity economics to the anti-vaccination movement, and occasionally count the cost of them in human lives.

Stuart Ritchie has been at the vanguard of a movement within science aimed at exposing and fixing these problems. In this New Books Network conversation, we speak specifically about how even the most well-meaning and truth-seeking scientists can unwittingly introduce bias into their analyses. We discuss ways that scientists’ training is inadequate.

Matthew Jordan is a professor at McMaster University, where he teaches courses on AI and the history of science. You can follow him on Twitter @mattyj612 or his website matthewleejordan.com.

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What A Day - New Executive Order

Trump signed a bunch of executive orders and actions over the weekend that he presented as a fix to our economic problems. But the reality is much less transformative. We explain what his actions do (cut unemployment) and what they don't do (protect renters from eviction).

ByteDance, the Chinese company behind TikTok, is planning to sue the Trump administration over its ban on US companies doing business with the app. The executive order against TikTok also bans US dealings with WeChat, another Chinese-owned app.

And in headlines: a massive oil spill in Mauritius, protests in Beirut, and Amazon goes to the mall.

Short Wave - Why Herd Immunity Won’t Save Us

Herd immunity. It's the idea that enough people become immune to an infectious disease that it's no longer likely to spread. It makes sense theoretically. But as NPR's Geoff Brumfiel tells us, the reality — in this coronavirus pandemic and without a vaccine — is potentially full of risk and maybe even unachievable.

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The NewsWorthy - Economic Aid Extended, Expanding Onion Recall & Amazon Enters Malls? – Monday, August 10th, 2020

The news to know for Monday, August 10th, 2020!

What to know about:

  • President Trump's four new executive orders to address economic relief
  • the countries trying to target the next presidential election and why
  • violent protests in Beirut that started just days after last week's explosion
  • recalled onions making people sick
  • Amazon thinking about entering malls
  • college football players demanding the return of fall sports
  • big celebrities diving into dangerous waters for "Shark Week"

Those stories and more in just 10 minutes!

Head to www.theNewsWorthy.com or see sources below to read more about any of the stories mentioned today.

This episode is brought to you by HelloFresh.com/80newsworthy

Become a NewsWorthy INSIDER! Learn more at  www.TheNewsWorthy.com/insider

 

 

 

 

Sources:

Trump Virus Aid Executive Orders: AP, WSJ, USA Today, Axios, CNBC, CNN

U.S. Tops 5 Million COVID Cases: Johns Hopkins, WSJ, NBC News, FOX News

New York Status Keeps Improving: Axios, NY Gov

Countries Target U.S. Election: NY Times, Reuters, AP, DNI Statement

Mass Protests in Lebanon: CNN, NBC News, Reuters, AP

Lebanon Aid Summit: Al Jazeera, NPR, BBC

Sophisticated Border Tunnel Found: AP, FOX News, Reuters

Powerful North Carolina Earthquake: Charlotte Observer, CNN, AP

MAC Cancels Fall Sports: ESPN, AP, WSJ

#WeWantToPlay Viral Hashtag: CBS Sports, ESPN, Sports Illustrated

Onion Recall Expands: CBS News, CNN, FOX Business

Amazon May Build Mall Fulfillment Centers: WSJ, Mashable, The Verge

Shark Week Begins: CNN, Fast Company, CNN, Discovery

New Dirty Dancing Movie: USA Today, Deadline, The Guardian

Grocery Prices Keep Increasing: CNN, WaPo, Business Insider, BEA

Clorox Wipes Shortage: CBS News, Reuters, ABC News

The Goods from the Woods - TEASER – Patreon Episode #38 – “Santa with Muscles” with Kevin Anderson

Hey y'all! This week on the Patreon, it's CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST! Rivers is chatting with comedian and host of the Bleak in Review Podcast all about one of the shittiest movies ever made, 'Santa with Muscles'. This episode is a request from our Patron @JMJanks! The movie is available in its entirety for FREE on YouTube. We had such a great time recording this episode! Follow Kevin on all forms of social media @KBAndersonYo! Join the Tower of Power by signing up for our Patreon now for only $5 a month.  http://www.Patreon.com/TheGoodsPod