Category: 3-SometimeCommentary

On Start the Week Tom Sutcliffe explores the fracturing political landscape and the rise of anti-establishment parties. The politics lecturer Robert Ford explains the increasing support for the SNP, UKIP, and the Greens and what that means for the forthcoming General Election. Catherine De Vries is a Professor of European politics and compares what's happening across the Channel. Srdja Popovic was one of the leaders of Otpor - the movement that played a pivotal role in bringing down Slobodan Milosevic - and he advises how using humour, rice pudding and lego men can change the world. The Royal Opera House is staging Brecht and Weill's Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, a satire on money, morality and pleasure-seeking, and its director John Fulljames seeks out the contemporary resonances in this story of consumerism and loss of humanity.

Producer: Katy Hickman.

Jet skis look like a horse running and defecating at the same time on the water. Today on The Gist, Kurt Braunohler battles Asian carp and electrified waters for his new Comedy Central Web series Roustabout. For the Spiel, we explain a ubiquitous preamble, “the idea that somehow.” Today’s sponsor: The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, the new documentary series from HBO. It airs Sundays at 8 p.m. only on HBO.

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On the day when the Internet turns to llamas, we keep our focus on the important thing, the dangerous thing: bears. Today on The Gist, the latest bear news with wildlife biologist Rae Wynn-Grant from Columbia University. Plus, Slate’s Will Oremus answers exactly one question about net neutrality. We’ll hear your questions, and learn about what the color of a bear’s fur has to do with its species. Send us your questions for a future segment using #bearnews. For the Spiel, Mike throws barbs at Iran. Today’s sponsor: The new ABC series “American Crime." From the Oscar winning screenwriter of 12 Years a Slave comes the year's most extraordinary drama, premiering Thursday March 5th, 10/9 central on ABC.

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Today on The Gist, Gretchen Rubin explains what self-mastery has to do with happiness. She’s the author of The Happiness Project. Her new podcast, Happier, is part of Slate’s just-launched Panoply network. For the Spiel, Mike and Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald both lie to the homeless. Today’s sponsors: Stamps.com! Sign up for a no-risk trial and a $110 bonus offer when you visit Stamps.com and use the promo code THEGIST.

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With 100 inches of snow landing on Boston this winter, the issue of cars and parking has inspired calumny and tire-slashing in the Boston area. On The Gist, Jennifer Peter, local editor for The Boston Globe, quietly admits that she’s a parking-space saver. Plus, how can we use language to better describe undocumented immigrants with empathy and without politics? Mike searches for the right term with Define American founder Jose Antonio Vargas, a Filipino-American journalist who does not have legal residency status. For the Spiel, Bill O’Reilly might not be telling the truth. Today’s sponsor: Citrix GoToMeeting. When meetings matter, millions choose GoToMeeting. Get a free 30-day trial by visiting GoToMeeting.com and clicking the “try it free” button.

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Today on The Gist, journalist Graeme Wood offers insight into the motivations of ISIS. He recently wrote “What ISIS Wants” for the Atlantic. For the Spiel, we name the lobstar of the antentwig for The Gist Episode 200. We end this show with the latest Dial-a-Song debut from They Might Be Giants, a cover of Jonathan Richman’s song “I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar.” Today’s sponsors: Stamps.com! Sign up for a no-risk trial and a $110 bonus offer when you visit Stamps.com and use the promo code THEGIST.

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The Nasdaq Composite Index is closing in on an all-time high. Is the bubble back? Today on The Gist, CNBC markets reporter Dominic Chu explains how the tech sector has changed the index fundamentally. Plus, can snuggling make us healthier? Mike asks Maria Konnikova of The New Yorker if cuddles are important to our health. For the Spiel, Mike revokes Rudy Giuliani’s credentials as a New Yorker. Today’s sponsors: The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, the new documentary series from HBO. It airs Sundays at 8 p.m. only on HBO.

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Today on The Gist, Bill Browder tells the story of how he went from investing in Russian markets to fleeing the wrath of Vladimir Putin. He’s the author of Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man’s Fight for Justice. For the Spiel, Pesca marks a moment for the front pages of newspapers everywhere. Today’s sponsor: The Great Courses, engaging audio and video lectures taught by top professors. Courses like “Fundamentals of Photography.” Right now, get 80 percent off the original price when you visit thegreatcourses.com/gist.

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Today on The Gist, ponds face cream, plus water, gurgle and swallow. (Vine here.) Plus, associate professor of political science at Northwestern University Alvin B. Tillery, Jr., explains how the movie Selma got LBJ wrong (among other things). For the Spiel, the publishing industry is not threuss with Seuss. Today’s sponsors: Stamps.com! Sign up for a no-risk trial and a $110 bonus offer when you visit Stamps.com and use the promo code THEGIST. We’re also sponsored by Casper, the online retailer of premium mattresses for a fraction of the price. Get $50 toward any mattress purchase by visiting casper.com/gist and using the promo code GIST.

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Lance Armstrong has been ordered to pay $10 million dollars for lying under oath about doping. If he complies, he’ll send his checks to an outfit called SCA Promotions. Today on The Gist, the Dallas-based company’s general counsel, Jeff Dorough, explains its role in big sports money. Plus, Amy Chua and Jed Rubenfeld explain the core values highlighted in their new book The Triple Package. For the Spiel, filling out health care forms online until your eyes bleed. Today’s sponsors: The Gist is sponsored by Harry's. Visit Harrys.com for $5 off your first purchase with the promo code GIST. Also, Stamps.com. Sign up for a no-risk trial and a $110 bonus offer when you visit Stamps.com and use the promo code THEGIST.

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