The Gist
For thirty minutes each day, Pesca challenges himself and his audience, in a responsibly provocative style, and gets beyond the rigidity and dogma. The Gist is surprising, reasonable, and willing to critique the left, the right, either party, or any idea.
1701
Falling for the Gambler’s Fallacy
How long-term probability misleads our short-term observations.
24 min
1702
The Stupid Genius of Dexter Guff
Because the thought-leader/life-hacker/productivity-optimizer trope was ripe for parody.
31 min
1703
Sarah Kliff on the Big Questions
Is Obamacare bending the cost curve? Would its demise cause more people to die? Sarah Kliff from Vox weighs in.
32 min
1704
Why Now With the Weinstein Stories?
Harvey Weinstein’s serial sexual harassment was Hollywood’s worst-kept secret. What allowed two news giants to put it in print within days of one another?
29 min
1705
The Shia LaBeouf of Islam
Aymann Ismail’s video series takes a look at what it’s like being Muslim in America.
28 min
1706
Oklahoma Is Not OK
Low tax rates, failing public services, and a governor who thinks prayer will fix the budget deficit. Why can’t Oklahoma get it together?
24 min
1707
Made-Up Cabaret
Actor Jason Kravits sings from a lesser-known American songbook—the one he creates, on the spot.
24 min
1708
Masha Gessen, Putin Whisperer
The U.S. has liberalized over time. Why hasn’t Russia?
28 min
1709
Facebook’s Data Monopoly
How big tech killed innovation and acquired too much information on us.
24 min
1710
You Poor Seoul
A retired military man explains why any show of force against North Korea will hurt our allies in the south.
25 min
1711
The Presidency is Impossible
How the world changed the presidency and doomed the office to failure.
23 min
1712
The Rage Was Already There
Author Masha Gessen on what we get wrong when we try to explain the psychology of mass shooters.
27 min
1713
Kurt Andersen’s History of American Wackadoodles
Have we always been this disconnected from reality? Very possibly, yes.
33 min
1714
Recentering American Politics
Can the left and right ever agree?
26 min
1715
It’s Time to Rethink Puerto Rico
Being a territory helped Puerto Rico. Just not enough.
23 min
1716
Mark Lilla’s Advice for Liberals
The author of one of the most polarizing columns of the past year thinks you may have misunderstood his argument.
28 min
1717
David Litt is D.C. Funny
A former Obama speechwriter on why a president needs to get the joke.
27 min
1718
2007 Defined the Next Decade In Pop
In 2007, hip-hop and R&B dominated the charts, but digital sales are what mattered.
25 min
1719
Dylan Moran Will Say It to Your Face
If you’ve gone through the trouble to craft a perfect joke about American girth, why dial it back for an American audience?
26 min
1720
Credit Where Credit Is Due
The credit reporting bureaus don’t care about you. Why should they?
22 min
1721
The Frat Doesn’t Have Your Back
Fraternities protect themselves, but not their members.
25 min
1722
Was Booger Really A Nerd?
Actor Curtis Armstrong on the deeper message within Revenge of the Nerds.
28 min
1723
Ted Leo’s Hanged-Man Wisdom
The musician’s latest album offers a serenity prayer for political obsessives.
25 min
1724
Which Type Are You?
Author Gretchen Rubin sorts people into four major personality types: Rebel, Obliger, Questioner, and Upholder.
30 min
1725
Chris Gethard Wrestles With Comedy
How WWE tropes inform The Chris Gethard Show.
26 min