The Gist

On The Gist, the only conversation about dreams that promises not to bore you to death. Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker joins us for a game we call "Is That Bulls---?" She's the author of The Confidence Game. For the Spiel, the Clinton campaign bravely pushes forward. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, a new SAT is here, and the Today show has already failed the test. Author David Maraniss tells the story of an inflection point for Detroit from his book Once in a Great City: A Detroit Story. For the Spiel, no one is being offered 55 million dollars to be spied on naked. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, can we use game theory to make the case for or against the use of torture during an investigation? We explore various models compiled in Does Torture Work? with our guest John Schiemann from Fairleigh Dickinson University. For the Spiel, how the New York Times explains humor. Today's sponsors: Casper, the online retailer of premium mattresses for a fraction of the price. Get $50 toward any mattress purchase by visiting casper.com/gist and using the promo code GIST. Squarespace.com. Get a free trial and 10 percent off your first purchase when you visit Squarespace.com and enter offer code GIST. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, Adam Davidson explains the latest experimental development of a desperate economy—negative interest rates. Davidson is columnist for the New York Times Magazine and host of a new podcast with Adam McKay called Surprisingly Awesome. For the Spiel, oh yeah, more Trump. Today's sponsors: Texture, the mobile app that lets you tap directly into the world's most popular magazines using your phone or tablet. Dive deeper into Vogue, People, Esquire, Time—with interactive content for a richer reading experience. Try Texture for free at Texture.com/gist. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, the story behind the so-called Chinese curse "may you live in interesting times." Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker tells us about international efforts to find the recipe for a happy, lasting marriage. She's the author of The Confidence Game. For the Spiel, is a Donald Trump nomination inevitable or likely? Today's sponsor: Roku and HBO NOW. Roku players offer the biggest selection of streaming channels, like HBO NOW. Learn more and try HBO NOW free for one month by going to roku.com/thegist. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, Josh Putnam from Frontloading HQ explains what last night's Super Tuesday results mean when you do the delegate math. He's a lecturer at the University of Georgia, where he specializes in campaigns and elections. For the Spiel, common abortion arguments that aren't good arguments. Today's sponsor: Roku and HBO NOW. Roku players offer the biggest selection of streaming channels, like HBO NOW. Learn more and try HBO NOW free for one month by going to roku.com/thegist. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, do we have more to learn from losers than winners? Huffington Post senior politics editor Sam Stein joins us to share the stories behind his podcast Candidate Confessional. For the Spiel, Mike reveals his workout secrets. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, writer Matt Bruenig makes the case for electing Bernie Sanders and explains why the candidate's top economic advisors say his policies could bring 5.3 percent gross national product growth. For the Spiel, a post-Oscars joke recap. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, we speak with the brilliant comic mind Neal Brennan about his new one-man comedy show 3 Mics. It's showing at the Lynn Redgrave Theater in New York City through mid-March. For the Spiel, a crazy 24 hours in presidential politics. What a country! Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, why the Oscars matter to the future of Hollywood. We discuss the ideas behind #OscarsSoWhite with Slate's Aisha Harris and NPR TV critic Eric Deggans. Aisha recently wrote "Why Creed's Best Picture Snub Matters" and Eric Deggans is the author of Race-Baiter. For the Spiel, scary Trump supporters. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices