Gary Marcus, professor emeritus at NYU, explains the differences between large language models and "world models" — and why he thinks the latter are key to achieving artificial general intelligence.
Marketplace All-in-One - More “This Is Uncomfortable” is on the way
“This Is Uncomfortable” returns Jan. 15. Listen to this note from Reema for more, including an exciting change — we're going to start coming to you weekly! Bringing you more uncomfortable conversations with everyday people, experts, and authors about how money shapes our choices, relationships, and identity.
If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what you think by emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org or calling 347-RING-TIU.
Marketplace All-in-One - Floridians feel the impacts of climate change
Florida is a state that often feels tangible impacts of climate change, with strong storms and hurricanes making landfall in the state every hurricane season. However, this year is the first time in a decade that the Sunshine State was spared from experiencing a single hurricane. Jessica Meszaros, a climate change reporter at WUSF, joins Kimberly to explain how Floridians are rebuilding a year after hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton hit the state. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!
Here’s what we talked about on the show today:
- “Florida and the U.S. were spared of hurricanes in 2025, but storms are still rapidly intensifying” from WUSF
- “Hurricane Helene Response” from US Army Corps of Engineers
- “Assessment of Agricultural Losses Resulting from Hurricane Milton” from University of Florida IFAS
- “Disaster and insurance costs are rising. The middle class is struggling to hang on” from NPR
- “Sorting trash can be dirty and dangerous. Sounds like a job for AI” from Marketplace
- “Disney comes to Sora: What you can and can't do with the characters” from Axios
- “How fruitcake became a Christmas classic (even if it’s unpopular)” from MSN
- “City life is reshaping raccoons – and may be nudging them toward domestication” from The Guardian
Marketplace All-in-One - The stock market isn’t the economy — but it’s not nothing either
While markets are mellowing a bit, three major stock indexes closed at record highs on Thursday. Reminder: The stock market is not the economy! But it still can tell us how investors — and by association, high-income Americans — are feeling about the future. In this episode, who wins when the stock market performs well. Plus: Old MacDonald has a ... drone? And we check-in with three retailers around the U.S. about the holiday shopping season.
Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.
Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.
Marketplace All-in-One - Getting into the deregulation business
The Trump administration is reconfiguring a government watchdog that grew out of the Great Recession. The Financial Stability Oversight Council watches out for risks to the financial system to prevent the future need for government bailouts. Now, the Treasury Secretary says the watchdog will focus on boosting economic growth and easing regulations that he says impose “undue burdens." Plus, we follow the money from Machu Picchu and examine the appetite for "extended range" EVs.
Marketplace All-in-One - What the vibe of your office holiday party says your workplace
It’s the most wonderful time of the year — and with that, the obligatory office holiday party. Thing is, some choices around holiday parties can tell a story of how a company is doing. Who's there? Who's chatting together or sticking to a corner? What food and drink are being served? Today, we'll help you read the room. But first, most regional Federal Reserve bank presidents have been reappointed, despite some Trump administration proposals to exert greater control over the Fed's regional banks.
Marketplace All-in-One - Reddit fights Australia’s social media ban
From the BBC World Service: Reddit has filed a lawsuit calling for Australia's social media ban for children under 16 to be declared invalid. The text-based forum is one of 10 online platforms covered by the ban, which came into force this week. And later in the program, we head to Peru, where conflicts are brewing over how money from Machu Picchu tickets is being spent and whether it's benefiting tourists and locals.
Marketplace All-in-One - Bytes: Week in Review – Apple’s leadership departures raises concerns over its AI future
There’s been something of a critical mass of high-profile departures and retirement announcements at Apple in recent weeks. Plus, how will consumers be helped or hurt by a potential merger between Netflix and Warner Bros or a hostile takeover from Paramount? And McDonald's pulls an AI-generated Christmas ad because some folks on social media weren't “lovin' it.”
Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Joanna Stern, senior personal technology columnist at The Wall Street Journal for this week’s “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”
Marketplace All-in-One - Why the Fed is thinking about immigration
Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell’s latest presser was all about the job market. Buried among the usual talking points, like hiring sentiment and the unemployment rate, was immigration. That’s because the current administration’s immigration policies are complicating Fed measures of labor market health. In this episode, falling immigration turns jobs data on its head. Plus: Robust economic growth comes without typical job creation, U.S.-China trade tensions cool, and one company teaches AI to sort your trash.
Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.
Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.
Marketplace All-in-One - Why the Fed cut interest rates
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point Wednesday. And this decision comes as President Donald Trump continues to put pressure on the supposedly independent agency to move the economy the way he wants. Plus, the president is reportedly beginning final interviews for Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s potential successor.
Here’s everything we talked about today:
- “Fed lowers interest rates again amid debate over inflation, jobs” from The Washington Post
- “Trump to start final Fed chair interviews beginning with Kevin Warsh” from CNBC
- “What a Fed rate cut means for your home, car and credit card loans” from The Washington Post
- “Watch out for these refinancing red flags” from Marketplace Morning Report