Make Me Smart

Beyond the “Signalgate” headlines

Mar 27, 2025

Rima Kreis, host of the podcast "This is Uncomfortable," dives deep into significant current events. They discuss the overlooked repercussions of U.S. military operations in Yemen and the humanitarian crisis at hand. The chilling effects of the Trump administration on U.S. tourism are highlighted, predicting a $18 billion hit to the economy. Kreis also shares insights on unique car-free communities, promoting innovative social interaction, and touches on amusing linguistic blunders in broadcasting.

13:34

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Rima Kreis

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Quick takeaways

The decline in foreign travel to the U.S. poses significant economic challenges, particularly affecting small businesses reliant on tourism.

The U.S. airstrikes in Yemen raise urgent humanitarian concerns, emphasizing the need for greater scrutiny of foreign policy impacts on civilians.

Deep dives

Economic Impact of Tourism Decline

The decline in foreign travel to the United States signals potential economic challenges, particularly in sectors reliant on tourism. Predictions indicate a decrease in inbound travel by 5.1 percent, translating to an estimated $18 billion loss in spending. This decline will disproportionately affect small businesses, including restaurants and local accommodations, which are already struggling to recover. The issue not only reflects economic implications but also highlights a broader decline in the United States’ global standing, raising concerns about future international interactions.

Intro

4min

Scrutinizing U.S. Military Actions and Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen

4min

Exploring the Impact of Car-Free Communities

2min

Innovative Community Design and the Impact of Social Interaction

2min

Linguistic Blunders and the Call for Public Media Support

3min

In all the talk about senior White House officials discussing military attack plans over the messaging app Signal (and accidentally invited a journalist to the chat), one detail is being overlooked: the impact of the attacks on Yemen. We’ll get into it. And, we’ll unpack the chilling effect the Trump administration is having on U.S. tourism. Plus, nobody remembers that embarrassing time you misspoke in a Zoom meeting, right?

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Foreign Travelers Are Rethinking Travel to the U.S.” from The New York Times

“Beyond the Signal fiasco, Trump’s Yemen strategy needs more scrutiny” from The Washington Post

“Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal” (gift link) from The Atlantic

“Living Car-Free in Arizona, on Purpose and Happily” from The New York Times

“The Ford Executive Who Kept Score of Colleagues’ Verbal Flubs” from The Wall Street Journal

“As Republicans Denounce NPR and PBS, Democrats Mock Hearing” from The New York Times

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