
Revisionist History Understanding the Death Penalty: Malcolm Gladwell on The Intercept Briefing
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Dec 11, 2025 Malcolm Gladwell, renowned writer and journalist, joins Liliana Segura, a seasoned criminal justice reporter, to explore the intricacies of the death penalty. They discuss the troubling rise in executions in America, linking it to political dynamics and cultural vengeance. Gladwell highlights how execution practices mask cruelty under a veneer of medical professionalism, while Segura connects historical patterns of execution methods to racial narratives and institutional indifference. Their eye-opening conversation sheds light on the moral implications and emotional toll of capital punishment.
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Execution As Medical Performance
- The death penalty often performs the appearance of medicine rather than practicing it.
- Malcolm Gladwell says states prioritize perception over investigating real medical risks of execution methods.
Kenny Smith's Botched Vein Search
- Kenny Smith's botched execution exposed how nonmedical staff attempted medical procedures.
- Gladwell notes they couldn't find a vein because the procedure wasn't hospital-based or cooperative.
Three-Drug Protocol’s Hasty Origins
- The three-drug lethal injection was improvised, not scientifically developed.
- Gladwell explains the protocol was conceived casually in Oklahoma without testing or peer review.


