Guests Shira Ovide and Peter Thal Larsen discuss Chipotle burrito sizes, Warren Buffett's charitable contributions, and the impact of social media on restaurants. The hosts analyze UK election results, coalition government challenges, and voter turnout differences between Britain and America.
Labour's UK election win with 33.8% vote shows discrepancy between seat share and voter percentage.
Minneapolis cat tour gains popularity as hundreds of visitors enjoy curated window displays of 22 felines.
Warren Buffett's plan to leave $130 billion to children prompts tax avoidance concerns and philanthropic impact debates.
Deep dives
Ridiculous Digital Game with 1 Million Check Boxes
A new online game titled 'One Million Check Boxes' features a website with 1 million checkboxes. Players can click to mark or unmark the checkboxes, offering a mindless and entertaining diversion akin to a digital fidget spinner. Interestingly, bots have emerged to automate checkbox actions, sparking engagement and controversy among players.
Surprising UK Election Results
In the recent UK election, Labour secured a landslide victory with only 33.8% of the vote, highlighting the astounding discrepancy between seat share and voter percentage. With 412 of 650 seats won, Labour's victory underpins the immense majority obtained with a relatively low popular vote percentage, echoing similar issues seen in US elections.
Minneapolis Cat Tour
The Minneapolis cat tour has gained popularity as participants can view a curated selection of 22 cats displayed in their windows within the neighborhood. Originating as a small local activity, the cat tour has now drawn attention from hundreds of visitors, including those traveling from other states just to partake in the feline-forward experience.
Is Warren Buffett Avoiding Taxes?
News emerges that Warren Buffett plans to leave over $130 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway shares to his children, directing it to a charitable foundation they will oversee. Raised concerns center around potential tax avoidance strategies, intimating Buffett's focus on minimizing tax obligations rather than a clear plan for philanthropic impact. The decision sparks debates on the responsibilities of distributing such vast wealth.
Ludicrous Internet Sensation - 1 Million Check Boxes
A peculiar online game named 'One Million Check Boxes' has captured internet users' attention, featuring a platform with a million interactive boxes to check or uncheck. The game's mindless engagement and quirky allure have garnered considerable interest, with players embracing the gamified fidget spinner concept for digital entertainment.
This week, Felix Salmon, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by Shira Ovide, who writes the newsletter The Tech Friend for the Washington Post, and Peter Thal Larsen of Reuters, who demystifies the wacky state of European and British politics. Also: Are Chipotle burritos getting smaller? And why did Warren Buffett, top ally of the Gates Foundation, give his money to a not-yet-existing charity, hypothetically managed by his kids? In the Plus segment, it’s a shopping bonanza as the hosts discuss Nieman Marcus’ parent company gobbling up Saks Fifth Avenue.
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Podcast production by Jared Downing and Cheyna Roth.