Category: 3-SometimeCommentary

Today on The Gist, Slate’s Josh Voorhees joins us from Iowa to discuss what the pro-pipeline supermajority in the Senate means for environmental legislation. Plus, Monk creator Andy Breckman explains why he decided to pursue a new career as a toy mogul. His new app is called Rigged Trivia. For the Spiel, impassioned nominations for the toy hall of fame. 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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Raise a toast: There are no more dry states left on Election Day. On The Gist, Mike Pesca’s wonderful parents share a lesson from voting-day drinking in 1970s Greenwich Village. Plus, Brad Meltzer from the Lost History TV series explains how missing artifacts reveal the extraordinary roles that ordinary people play in history. The show airs Friday nights at 10 p.m. ET on H2. For the Spiel, will you please say something nice about your opponent? 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, political writer Harry Enten from FiveThirtyEight breaks down the latest polling data. Then, in our regular segment Is This Bulls--t?, we ask Maria Konnikova of The New Yorker if late-night dinners are really so horrible for our health. For the Spiel, Mike Pesca reports from below daredevil Nik Wallenda’s high wire in Chicago. Today’s show is sponsored by The Great Courses, who have a special offer for The Gist listeners. Order “Understanding the Mysteries of Human Behavior” and get 80% off the original price. Visit http://www.thegreatcourses.com/gist 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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'Money talks' in a special edition of Start the Week recorded in front of an audience at Radio 3's Free Thinking Festival at Sage Gateshead. Anne McElvoy explores the language and morality of money, from the super-rich to zombie debt, with the writers John Lanchester and Naomi Alderman, plus the journalists Martin Wolf and John Kampfner.

Producer: Simon Tillotson.

It looks likely that the Republicans will win the Senate. On The Gist, we ask Slate columnist Reihan Salam if a Republican majority means more will get done in Washington. Plus, Slate’s Emily Yoffe joins us for a Post-Prudence Impact Statement with past letter writer Two Families, One Mortgage. For the Spiel, so many elections, so little time to get to the really stupid things said by our candidates. 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, it’s hard to look away from a crime scene—and from the film Nightcrawler. First-time director Dan Gilroy talks about star Jake Gyllenhaal’s grueling preparation for the role and the film’s co-star, Rene Russo (who also happens to be Gilroy’s wife). Nightcrawler opens Friday. For the Spiel, would Chris Christie’s attitude fly in old Abe Lincoln’s day? 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: Divided government is supposed to foster compromise. Instead, Washington is mired in the mud. Norm Ornstein of The Atlantic talks about the potential of independents to swing the balance of power in the Senate. Plus, New York’s Barrow Street Theater is mounting English playwright Mark Ravenhill's Pool (No Water). Director Ianthe Demos and performer Nick Flint explain how they staged a play without stage directions. For the Spiel, uncles woo nieces, energy drinks woo attorneys general and Lexus tries to woo our host. 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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Every so often there’s a politician who breaks through, or an idea that catches fire … just not this election year. Today on The Gist, Mark Leibovich from the New York Times counts the many ways this midterm election disappoints. Plus, using data to better understand human nature. We speak with OkCupid founder Christian Rudder about his new book Dataclysm. For the Spiel, bring on the poo. 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, Stephen E. Flynn, political science professor at Northeastern University, explains that the Ebola story isn’t a story of federal government incompetence. It’s the story of a lack of investment and commitment to public health at a local, county, and state level. For the Spiel, Thomas Friedman delivers a train wreck of a metaphor. 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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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.