logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2022
42m 17s

CLASSIC: When (and why) did the US start...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

Today, the terms "citizen" and "consumer" are often used interchangeably by authors, journalists and politicians. To some experts, this shift has disturbing implications. But how important is a word? How did this switch occur, and why? In today's classic episode, Ben and Noel explore the implications of this strange, often unexamined, evolution.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Aug 23
CLASSIC: The Strange and Spectacularly Disgusting Story of the Great Kentucky Meat Shower
On March 3rd, 1876, residents of Bath County, Kentucky were startled to see what appeared to be chunks and flakes of meat falling from the clear, cloudless sky. The rain, which only lasted a few minutes, captured national attention. People across the country proposed various theo ... Show More
35m 55s
Aug 22
The Ridiculously Energetic History of Energy Drinks!
This episode is brought to you by our favorite cohost: coffee. These days, if you stroll into any convenience store across the planet, you're going to run into a selection of energy drinks -- whether we're talking Red Bull, NOS, Monster, or our favorite pal, the humble cup of joe ... Show More
47m 1s
Aug 19
Japan is Overrun By Raccoons Entirely Due to a Single Cartoon
While the legendary Japanese raccoon dog -- or tanuki -- may look like a raccoon, it's a very different beast. However, these days Japan is home to actual raccoons: they're considered an invasive species, wreaking havoc across the country as they destroy temples, consume crops, a ... Show More
40m 57s
Recommended Episodes
May 2022
When Did 'Diet' Become a Dirty Word?
Diet soda is one of the few things in life that makes Harry very happy. And it turns out, it might be disappearing as “zero sugar” infiltrates the carbonated industry. Why is this happening all of a sudden and is there a difference between the two labels? Or is this just a war of ... Show More
35m 10s
Nov 2020
CLASSIC: Neuromarketing: Science or Science Fiction?
Neuromarketers claim that their techniques provide new and profound insights for consumers buying everything from soda to new cars. But can they really interpret data in a way that allows them to nudge a user's subconscious mind? And, if so, what does this mean for the future? Le ... Show More
39m 15s
Jun 2022
How To Citizen, with Baratunde Thurston
Most Americans can agree that society isn't perfect -- in fact, most people in other parts of the world can say the same about their own societies. But how can we attempt to address these issues? Is there genuinely a conspiracy between the world's wealthiest people to keep the di ... Show More
1h 19m
Nov 2021
CLASSIC: What is media manipulation?
How often do you think news outlets bury, skip or distort an important story? The answers -- or, at least, the accusations -- might surprise you. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
47m 6s
Mar 2023
Short Stuff: Semantic Satiation
You know when you read a word over and over it starts to lose its meaning? There’s a term for that and why it happens is fascinating.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
12m 18s
Aug 2023
CLASSIC: Are frogs really changing gender?
You might have heard this one before -- for years, various fringe researchers and commentators have argued that the government or some other shadowy entity is purposefully changing the gender of amphibians (specifically, frogs) throughout the United States. So what's the truth be ... Show More
46m 3s
Jul 2022
Selects: What's the misery index?
Economists love their data because somewhere in the numbers lies the answer to the ills of the country. They also love to frame data in a way people can relate to. Such is the case with the famous "misery index." Learn all about it in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/liste ... Show More
44m 50s
Oct 2022
Jeffrey Dahmer to Gabby Petito: Is it possible to make ethical true cr ime? BEST OF TANGOTI
What is going on with our obsession with true crime? From social media sleuths to conspiracy theorists, Jessica Dean—aka Bloodbathandbeyond—joins us to discuss what happens when the darkest moments of a stranger’s life become a trending topic.See omnystudio.com/listener for priva ... Show More
48m 40s
Aug 2021
Understanding the ever-evolving, always-surprising consumer
Read more >    Listen to the podcast (duration: 29:22) >  Consumer behaviors have changed over the past 18 months, but which ones will stick? Three experts explain how forward-thinking companies anticipate consumers’ needs and win their trust.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy f ... Show More
29m 23s
Jun 2022
SMNTY Classics: Queerbaiting 101
What is queerbaiting and why is it so contentious? Anney and Samantha discuss the highly debated term, some of the most prominent examples, the potential perils of shipping and fandom in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
46m 27s