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    • A glimpse into the fashion industry's inner workings through podcastsFashion People podcast explores the drama and intrigue behind fashion's glamour, while Make Me Smart hosts discuss unexpected distractions and news items, offering insights into the world around us

      Behind the glamour and multi-billion dollar deals of the fashion industry lies a world of intrigue and drama, as discussed in the new podcast "Fashion People." From creative director changes to mergers and acquisitions, DTC failures, and Met Gala mishaps, the podcast offers a candid look into the industry's inner workings. Meanwhile, on Make Me Smart, hosts Kyrie Risdahl and Kimberly Adams shared some unexpected distractions during their recording session, but managed to discuss some news items. One of these was a story from Politico about a PR stunt involving a new chatbot for AI technology sales. Despite the challenges and distractions, both podcasts promise to make sense of the world around us, reminding us that we're all in this together and will get through the week.

    • New chatbot platform, chat 202024, features AI-powered avatars of 17 leading presidential candidatesChat 202024 uses AI to create bot avatars of 17 presidential candidates, allowing users to query all or set two against each other in debates. Regulations for political tech, including chatbots, are under consideration by the Federal Election Commission.

      During the 2024 presidential race, a new chatbot platform named chat 202024 was soft launched, featuring AI-powered avatars of 17 leading candidates. Each bot is trained on data from over 100 sources, including candidates' video appearances, writings, and policy statements. Users can query all 17 bots at once or set two against each other in debates, directed by user input. Politico tested the bot and found it held up reasonably well, potentially offering an engaging way for people to interact with candidates' ideas. However, it remains to be seen if the AI can accurately capture candidates' evasions and flimflammering. In August, the Federal Election Commission released a notice of availability for a petition for rulemaking regarding potential regulations for political technology, including chatbots, in federal elections. This could impact how these types of platforms are used in future campaigns. While I haven't tried the chatbot myself, I find the concept intriguing and worth keeping an eye on.

    • FCC Considering Rule Change to Address AI Misrepresentation in Campaign AdsThe FCC is considering a rule change to address AI misrepresentation in campaign ads, with public comment period open until October 16, 2023, but it's unlikely rules will be implemented in time for the upcoming election. Public Citizen has petitioned for clarification on existing regulations and penalties.

      The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently considering a rule change to address the use of fraudulently misrepresentative artificial intelligence (AI) generated content in campaign ads and communications. Public Citizen, a nonprofit advocacy organization, has petitioned the FCC to clarify that existing regulations and penalties apply to such deceitful practices. The public comment period is open until October 16, 2023, but it is unlikely that rules will be implemented in time for the upcoming election. Despite the long odds, it's essential for the government to address concerns about AI's role in elections and consider public input to ensure fair and honest political discourse.

    • Senator John Fetterman's Unique Appearance Debunks Body Double Conspiracy TheoriesThe physical uniqueness of Senator John Fetterman makes it unlikely for him to be replaced by a body double, as conspiracy theories suggest. The rarity of individuals sharing his distinctive appearance further debunks such claims, but the incident highlights the growing concern of people believing in outlandish theories as technology advances.

      Despite the widespread conspiracy theories suggesting that Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has been replaced by a body double, the physical uniqueness of Fetterman, who is 6 feet 8 inches tall, bald, and distinctive in appearance, makes such claims implausible. The Washington Post analyzed the rarity of individuals sharing Fetterman's physical characteristics, further debunking the theory. However, this incident underscores the concerning trend of people believing outlandish theories, which poses a challenge for maintaining a common understanding of reality as technology advances and generates increasingly convincing AI images.

    • The power of belief and perception in shaping the national conversationOperation Santa, an 111-year-old USPS program, demonstrates the power of belief and kindness in fulfilling Christmas wishes for those in need, reminding us of the importance of empathy and compassion during complex political times.

      The power of belief and perception will continue to play a significant role in the national conversation leading up to the Election Day. While the truth may not always be clear, initiatives like Operation Santa serve as reminders of the importance of spreading joy and fulfilling the wishes of those in need. During the discussion, Kimberly Adams and her guest acknowledged the influence of belief and leadership in shaping people's perspectives. They also touched upon the complexity of separating truth from what is made true to ourselves. A light-hearted moment came when Kimberly shared her story about Operation Santa, an 111-year-old program run by the USPS that allows people to adopt letters to Santa and fulfill Christmas wishes for those in need. This simple act of kindness demonstrates the power of belief and the positive impact it can have on individuals and communities. As we navigate the intricacies of the current political landscape, it is essential to remember the importance of empathy, compassion, and the power of belief in creating a more positive and connected world.

    • Starbucks' Custom Orders Complexity Costing Over a Billion DollarsStarbucks faces operational challenges due to 383 trillion possible drink combinations, leading to longer wait times and customer frustration, costing over a billion dollars to address. Solutions include smaller ice cubes and improved customer flow.

      The complexity of custom orders at Starbucks is leading to longer wait times and customer frustration, costing the company over a billion dollars to address. With an estimated 383 trillion possible drink combinations due to various customizations, Starbucks faces an operational challenge that impacts customer experience and loyalty. This issue was highlighted in a Bloomberg article, showcasing the intricacies of data journalism and visual storytelling. The company is investing in solutions such as smaller ice cubes and improved customer flow to reduce wait times and enhance the overall Starbucks experience. The importance of understanding and addressing operational complexities was further emphasized by a recent visit to the DC Bureau by representatives from USA Facts, who shared a book filled with infographics and charts showcasing intricate details and facts about America. The power of data and visualization to reveal insights and inform decision-making is a testament to the value of data journalism in today's data-driven world.

    • The Importance of Improving Reading EducationThe podcast 'Sold A Story' highlights the need to improve reading education and shares insights from New York and other places. Listeners are encouraged to engage and share ideas, while efforts are being made to change teaching methods.

      Importance of literacy and the need to improve reading education in various parts of the country. The podcast "Sold A Story" has shed light on how teaching kids to read has gone wrong in New York and other places. The hosts of Make Me Smart, Marketplace's daily news podcast, have emphasized the significance of continuing to engage with the show and share thoughts, questions, and suggestions. They also highlighted the efforts being made to change the way reading is taught in schools. The podcast has had a profound impact on listeners, and many plan to share it with others. Overall, the discussion underscores the critical role that literacy plays in our lives and the importance of continually seeking ways to improve it.

    Recent Episodes from Make Me Smart

    The evolution of the American office

    The evolution of the American office

    It’s been about four years since the great remote work experiment took off for many employees who work computer-bound jobs. After plenty of back and forth between return-to-office mandates and work-from-home advocates, neither side really won. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the share of Americans doing some or all of their work from home has leveled off to about 35%. On the show today, The New York Times’ Emma Goldberg explains who’s working from home these days and how it’s impacting both employees and their bosses. Plus, the commercial real estate question looms large over the remote work debate.

    Then, we’ll get into why the Joe Biden administration’s new protections for workers in extreme heat could be threatened by recent Supreme Court rulings and a potential second Trump presidency. And, the CEO of GS1, the company administering retail barcodes, didn’t see the QR code takeover coming.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJuly 02, 2024

    A one-two punch for the power of federal agencies

    A one-two punch for the power of federal agencies

    A Supreme Court ruling today gives companies a dramatically wider window to challenge federal regulations with lawsuits. We’ll get into why this is particularly important in light of a separate decision to overturn the Chevron doctrine, and how it could impact other federal regulations like the Federal Trade Commission’s ban on noncompete clauses. Then, we’ll discuss the Supreme Court’s decision on former President Donald Trump’s immunity case and where the heck we go from here. Plus, what you can do to protect the health of our democracy.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJuly 01, 2024

    Our take on the debate (and drone light shows)

    Our take on the debate (and drone light shows)

    There were no fireworks for the Democratic Party during last night’s debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. While Trump made false claims throughout the night, Biden did little to assuage fears that he’s not up to the job. We’ll get into how the Biden campaign’s fundraising strategy is already shifting and what it might mean for downballot races. Then, we’ll weigh in on Fourth of July travel and drone light shows during a game of Half Full/Half Empty!

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 29, 2024

    SCOTUS shakes up SEC

    SCOTUS shakes up SEC

    The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a huge blow to the Securities and Exchange Commission today when it ruled against its use of in-house judges to enforce securities fraud laws. We’ll get into why the decision will make the SEC’s job harder and what it could mean for other federal agencies. Plus, we’ll bust a common myth about Social Security and explain why homeownership is key factor in how Americans are faring in this economy.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 27, 2024

    Keeping up with the Supreme Court

    Keeping up with the Supreme Court

    This year’s Supreme Court decision season has been a busy one, and it’s not over yet. We’ll get into the court’s leaked opinion on emergency abortions and two other expected decisions that have the business world watching. Plus, another round of Cybertruck recalls and why it’s fine to keep referring to X as Twitter (per one Supreme Court justice).

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 26, 2024

    Are we living in a K-shaped economy?

    Are we living in a K-shaped economy?

    In the wake of the COVID-19 recession, many economists were describing the United States’ economic recovery as K-shaped. Basically, high-income Americans bounced back quicker than those at the lower end of the income scale. So, did we ever ditch that K shape? The person who coined the phrase “K-shaped recovery” back then, says no. On the show today, Peter Atwater, president of Financial Insyghts and adjunct professor at the College of William & Mary, explains why he believes economic inequality has grown since the pandemic recovery, why considerable wage gains for low-wage workers tell only part of the story and the risks of letting a K-shaped economy run wild.

    Then, we’ll get into how the fragility of global shipping supply chains could be playing into Federal Reserve decisions on interest rates. And, happy wedding anniversary, Susanna!

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 26, 2024

    The conservative push to weed out anti-Trump federal workers

    The conservative push to weed out anti-Trump federal workers

    Groups aligned with former President Trump are hunting through information to come up with a list of federal employees who might be resistant to a second Trump administration. We’ll discuss the push to reshape government. Plus, is the urban/rural divide a myth? And, a viral voicemail pep talk from a testing center worker makes us smile.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 24, 2024

    The IRS battles a fraud-plagued tax credit

    The IRS battles a fraud-plagued tax credit

    Four years after the Internal Revenue Service created a tax credit to help struggling businesses get through the pandemic, the agency ultimately plans to reject the majority of claims filed under the program. We’ll explain how it became swamped with fraud. And, Major League Baseball legend Reggie Jackson opened up about the racism he and other Black players faced in the ’60s. We’ll get into it. And, we’ll play a round of Half Full / Half Empty!

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 22, 2024

    Turbulent times at Boeing

    Turbulent times at Boeing

    This week, senators grilled Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun about the aviation company’s safety culture and its retaliation against whistleblowers. But these problems are just the tip of the iceberg for Boeing. We’ll explain. Plus, why President Joe Biden’s new immigration plan is a big deal. And, who knew there were this many cricket fans in the U.S.?

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks and play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 21, 2024

    From “What Happened in Alabama?”: The history of Black land loss

    From “What Happened in Alabama?”: The history of Black land loss

    In honor of Juneteenth, we’re bringing you an episode of a new podcast from APM Studios that’s especially relevant on this holiday. In the podcast, “What Happened in Alabama?” host Lee Hawkins unpacks his family history, confronts cycles of trauma and grapples with an issue many Black families face: how to keep land in the family.

    This episode is about Black land loss. In 1910, Black farmers collectively owned over 16 million acres of farmland. A century later, over 90% of that land is no longer owned by Black farmers. Lee explores that tumultuous history and what Black families can do to hold on to their property.

    If you’d like to hear more episodes from the series, you can find “What Happened in Alabama?” wherever you get podcasts.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 19, 2024

    Related Episodes

    Carlson Wipes $500M+ from Fox Stock, LVMH passes $500B, Snap's Hated AI

    Carlson Wipes $500M+ from Fox Stock, LVMH passes $500B, Snap's Hated AI
    Episode 46: Toby and Neal discuss how Tucker Carlson's departure from Fox led to over a $500 million stock loss. They also discuss LVMH's rise to a $500 billion valuation and how the family behind the company may reflect one of the top shows on television right now. Plus, First Republic bank lost over $100 billion in deposits and why we hate Snapchat's new AI. Toby shares why the kids are loving chess and we break down the lawsuit between... Ed Sheeran and Marvin Gaye? Learn more about our sponsor, Fidelity: https://fidelity.com/stocksbytheslice Listen Here: https://link.chtbl.com/MBD Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Crisis in Sudan

    Crisis in Sudan

    Ben and Tommy talk about the evacuation of American employees from Sudan, expectations for Ukraine’s spring military offensive and Ron DeSantis’s trip abroad. Then they cover new intelligence about Russian influence in Africa and the ISIS threat in Afghanistan, Chile’s plans to nationalize its lithium industry, how former British PM Boris Johnson nearly gave Queen Elizabeth covid, and how the war on beer spread to Europe. Then Ben interviews Reuter’s Sudan and Egypt Correspondent Nafisa Eltahir about what’s behind the conflict in Sudan and the experiences of people left in Khartom.

     

    For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

     

    The Twitter vs. Meta drama continues

    The Twitter vs. Meta drama continues

    Meta’s new Threads became the most quickly downloaded app on Wednesday, its opening day. Twitter’s not thrilled about it. We’ll get into why folks may or may not gravitate toward the app and whether any of the “new Twitters” can become a true social media hub. And, could a scandal involving a celebrated behavioral science researcher impact the way we engage with pop science? Plus, guest host Reema Khrais leads us in a new game.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    Got a question about the economy, business or technology for the hosts? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

    Good Bot, Bad Bot | Part II: Political Bots

    Good Bot, Bad Bot | Part II: Political Bots

    Next in our series Good Bot, Bad Bot: the possibilities of bots being used in governments around the world. How can bots increase transparency and shine a light on corruption, such as insider trading, among our elected officials? Will bots be put on the ballot in the near future? We go into all of this and more in this installment of Good Bot, Bad Bot. 

    ****** Credits: This episode was written and produced by Grace Tatter. Mixing and sound design by Paul Vaitkus. Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson are the co-hosts.