Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.
Podcast production by Evan Campbell, Patrick Fort, and Cheyna Roth.
"If you grow up being told that one of your first languages, Singlish, is actually a bad version of an already existing language, you kind of get this sense that “I'm just bad at language,” says Bibek Gurung, a former linguist who grew up in Singapore speaking Singlish with his family and friends, while schools and the government tried to quash it. "Language is a fundamental human skill. And to just have this sense that you're bad at this very fundamental skill really does a number to your self esteem and your abilities to communicate in general."
Find out more about the episode and read the transcript at theallusionist.org/singlish.
Content note: this episode contains references to corporal punishment of children. And there is one category B swear.
Come to the Allusionist meetup in Vancouver BC on 20 October 2024! Information is at theallusionist.org/events.
To help fund this independent podcast, take yourself to theallusionist.org/donate and become a member of the Allusioverse. You get regular livestreams with me and my collection of reference books, inside scoops into the making of this show, and watchalong parties - this month we're enjoying Merchant Ivory films, the current seasons of Great British Bake Off and the Canadian version, and Taskmaster featuring my brother Andy. And best of all, you get to bask in the company of your fellow Allusionauts in our delightful Discord community.
This episode was produced by me, Helen Zaltzman, with music and editorial assistance from Martin Austwick of palebirdmusic.com. Find @allusionistshow on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Bluesky etc.
Our ad partner is Multitude. If you want me to talk about your product or thing on the show, sponsor an episode: contact Multitude at multitude.productions/ads. This episode is sponsored by:
• Quince, high quality clothing and homewares at prices 50-80% lower than comparable brands. Go to Quince.com/allusionist for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. • Rocket Money, the personal finance app that helps find and cancel your unwanted subscriptions and monitors your spending. Go to rocketmoney.com/allusionist to save money and lower your outgoings. • Home Chef, meal kits that fit your needs. For a limited time, Home Chef is offering Allusionist listeners eighteen free meals, plus free shipping on your first box, and free dessert for life, at HomeChef.com/allusionist. • Squarespace, your one-stop shop for building and running your online realm. Go to squarespace.com/allusionist for a free 2-week trial, and get 10 percent off your first purchase of a website or domain with the code allusionist. • Bombas, whose mission is to make the comfiest clothing essentials, and match every item sold with an equal item donated. Go to bombas.com/allusionist to get 20% off your first purchase.
Kellie Carter Jackson, author of We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance, is here to take us on a trip through American history where we learn about revolutions, change, and joy not from a few white men, but from generations of Black women.
Governor Kay Ivey has allocated more than $7.6 million to improve highway safety across Alabama’s 76 counties.
The Montgomery County Board of Education has appointed Jamie Wilson, current chief of staff for Montgomery Public Schools (MPS), as the interim superintendent. This follows the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Melvin Brown, effective November 1.
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) criticized the Biden administration's response to Hurricane Helene. He claimed that politics influenced the lack of attention to affected areas, such as Western North Carolina.
National News Fox News has made a final effort to schedule a second debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris before Election Day, inviting both campaigns to participate on either October 24 or 27.
A recent CDC survey reveals that approximately 3.3% of U.S. high school students identify as transgender, with an additional 2.2% having questioned their gender identity.
Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 4 storm with winds reaching 145 mph, has begun affecting Florida, particularly the southern region, as its outer bands brought "tornadic supercells."
Alabama has launched a website for its school voucher-like program called the CHOOSE Act. It provides information on eligibility, online applications, and deadlines.
A teacher at Summerdale School in Baldwin County expressed frustration over challenges posed by an increasing number of English Language Learners (ELL) in her classroom. She said it affects both teachers and students.
A newspaper error cost Alabama taxpayers $1.76 million and delayed the final phase of the Gordo Bypass project.
On the Flagrant podcast, former President Donald Trump praised Alabama Senator Katie Britt for advocating the importance of in-vitro fertilization.
National News
Sean “Diddy” Combs is set to face trial on May 5, 2025, in Manhattan federal court for sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges.
The Social Security Administration announced a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025, giving retirees and beneficiaries an average monthly increase of more than $50.
Hurricane Milton, which made landfall as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key, Florida, at 8:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, has resulted in at least 12 confirmed deaths, including six in St. Lucie County. That's where tornadoes touched down.
Amber Beard, a 39-year-old USPS mail carrier, has been arrested and charged with multiple theft-related crimes, including trafficking in stolen identities, illegal possession of credit and debit cards, and fourth-degree theft of property. Beard was initially caught shoplifting at a Buc-ee’s in Leeds, Alabama.
Senator Tommy Tuberville is urging voters to elect leaders who will stand up for the country, expressing concern over socialism, immigration, and election integrity. He emphasized the importance of this election with less than 30 days to go, while also criticizing the Biden-Harris administration's slow response to Hurricane Helene's devastation.
The Biden administration has announced it will not extend the legal status of Haitian and other migrants in the U.S. under the CHNV Parole Program, which has caused concerns in communities across Alabama.
National News
Hurricane Helene has caused widespread devastation in western North Carolina, with satellite images revealing severe flooding, washed-out streets, and significant damage to homes and infrastructure. At least 225 people have been confirmed dead, with more expected as rescue efforts continue, hindered by inaccessible roads.
Hurricane Milton has intensified into a "potentially catastrophic" Category 5 storm with winds reaching 175 mph as it approaches Florida's Gulf Coast. The storm is expected to make landfall on Wednesday, bringing dangerous storm surges, high winds, and flooding.
Tremont City Police Chief Chad Duncan criticized the government's handling of the immigration crisis in Springfield, Ohio, which has caused tension between local residents and Haitian migrants.
Alabama is preparing to accommodate tens of thousands of evacuees as Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm, heads toward Florida.
State Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) has called for the resignation of Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond, blaming him for failing to curb violent crime in the city.
Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham praised the success of the recently formed multi-agency Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit (MACS), which has made significant strides in reducing crime since June 2024.
National News
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issued a stark warning to residents who might ignore evacuation orders as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida. In an interview with CNN, Castor emphasized the gravity of the situation, warning that those who stay in evacuation zones could face fatal consequences: "If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you are going to die."
President Biden has announced a 10-year plan to replace lead pipes across the U.S., aiming to improve drinking water safety, especially in older urban areas like Milwaukee, Chicago, and Detroit.
A coalition of over a dozen U.S. states, led by California and New York, has filed lawsuits against TikTok, accusing the company of deliberately designing its platform to addict teens.
This weekend on Best Of The Gist, a couple segments from The Dispatch Podcast, on which Mike was a guest last week. Hosts Sarah Isgur and Jonah Goldberg talked with Mike about Israel’s military exchanges with Iran, the legitimacy of “experts,” and some movie reviews.
EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/skepticsguide Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!
Dumbest Thing of the Week: Loch Ness Sonar; News Items: Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine, Chemistry, and Physics, Fruit Fly Connectome, Shroud of Turin Again; Who's That Noisy; Your Questions and E-mails: Hydrogen Cars; Name That Logical Fallacy; Science or Fiction
