Category: 3-SometimeCommentary

Russell Brand's calling for revolution now, to overthrow the system that he says supports extreme inequality. David Babbs, executive director of 38 Degrees, wants popular campaigns to bring about change and strengthen democracy. Juliet Barker re-examines the Great Revolt of 1381 and finds not a peasants' revolt but one by a new middle class in the shires, dissatisfied with a London elite. Philosopher Susan Neiman looks at how we are expected to abandon the adventures of youth if we are to grow up and asks, is there a new way to imagine what it means to be mature?

Producer: Simon Tillotson.

Today on The Gist, political writer Harry Enten from FiveThirtyEight reviews upcoming races of note, and the overall reliability of polling data. Plus, High Times editor-in-chief Dan Skye discusses the history of the magazine, and why he’s decided to reveal his real name. A new history of the magazine is out called High Times: A 40-Year History of the World's Most Infamous Magazine. For the Spiel, Mike steps out. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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Today on The Gist, Paul Slovic from Decision Research offers insight into panic psychology. Plus, whiskey sommelier Heather Greene guides Mike through an in-studio tasting: Tullamore Dew, Angel’s Envy, and Brenne. She’s the author of Whiskey Distilled: a Populist Guide to the Water of Life. For the Spiel, is the opera the The Death of Klinghoffer unconscionable slander or a mere trifle? Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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Today on The Gist, a question about opera that has (almost) nothing to do with the controversy over The Death of Klinghoffer at the Metropolitan Opera. Mike asks mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili, star of the Met’s new production of Carmen, what it’s like to perform opera — from a seated position. Then, why are real wages not growing anywhere near the rate they once did? Adam Davidson from NPR’s Planet Money gives the economists’ explanation. For the Spiel, we’d like to be trusted as much as we’re mistrusted. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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Today on The Gist, David Montgomery from the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Argus Leader explains how a close Senate race has snuck up on South Dakota voters. Plus, Christopher Miller tells us about things that used to be funny but have vanished from popular humor. He’s the author of American Cornball. For the Spiel, a pandemic is sweeping America. (Hint: It’s not Ebola.) Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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Today on The Gist, an interview from the new podcast Amicus, hosted by Slate’s Dahlia Lithwick. In the excerpt, Dahlia talks with University of Virginia law professor Douglas Laycock, who argued the case of Holt v. Hobbs. Plus, Sarah Koenig from the Serial podcast gives us the tiniest clues about where this phenomenal who-done-it series is headed. For the Spiel, screwy Scottish science. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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What was Napoleon's impact during his lifetime, in France and across Europe and how much of this can we see today? With Tom Sutcliffe, Andrew Roberts examines the man in his new biography, Jenny Uglow explores living in Britain through Napoleon's Wars, 1793-1815, Sudhir Hazareesingh looks at his legend, while musicologist Gavin Plumley focuses on Schubert in Vienna in the aftermath of Napoleon.

Producer: Simon Tillotson.

Like TV? Then you owe a debt to our guest on The Gist, Norman Lear. He’s the author of Even This I Get to Experience, and responsible for TV shows including All in the Family, Maude, and Good Times. For the Spiel, a chance to issue corrections from the past three weeks, and name our Lobstar of the Antentwig. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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This election season has been full of court fights over voter access laws. Wendy Weiser, director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center, explains why the problem has more to do with a partisan divide in the judiciary than voter fraud. Also on The Gist, Slate’s Amanda Hess explains why male allies like Aziz Ansari are confusing for feminism. For the Spiel, U-S-Aaahhhh a mouse! Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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Today on The Gist, a new message of mercy emerges from the Vatican’s synod meetings this year. Joshua McElwee from the National Catholic Reporter joins us from Rome. Then, in our regular segment Is This Bulls---?, we ask Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker if drinking water is the secret to health, brilliance, and beauty. For the Spiel, institutions that inspire Mike’s ire. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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