It Could Happen Here

Exploring the rise of Chinese shopping app Pinduoduo, predecessor to Temu, with a focus on its former CEO Colin Huang. The podcast discusses the aggressive market strategies and disruptive tactics used by this tech giant, along with the dark side of offering incredibly low prices. It also touches on the comparison between Temu and the Chinese app PDD, showcasing the vast user base of tech giants like Alibaba and PDD.

Margaret reads Gare one of her stories, set in the world of Penumbra City.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exploring the dark side of the tech industry, the podcast delves into growth metrics obsession, Meta's AI ambitions, deteriorating Google search, profit-driven search algorithms, and unsustainable corporate growth. Criticizing unethical practices in major tech companies and highlighting the challenges of prioritizing rapid growth over sustainability.

The podcast delves into the evolution of language on trans issues, explores the connection between stigma and moral panics, and critiques modern waves of transphobia. It also discusses the challenges of managing unwanted statues, artistic transformations of controversial monuments, and the ineptitude of a police officer in a bizarre shooting incident.

Robert and Gare discuss the story of a Florida sheriff's deputy who responded to a fallen acorn by shooting at someone locked in his own police car.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Jalane Schmidt discusses the significance of melting Charlottesville's Robert E Lee statue and its impact on racial justice. The podcast explores the historical background and removal process of the contentious statue, touching on ethical dilemmas. It delves into the idea of repurposing the materials into new art pieces to symbolize community values.

Dr. Julia Serano discusses contagious stigma driving moral panics against cis and trans people. Topics include debunking rapid onset gender dysphoria, exploring moral panics and social contagion, stigma's impact on moral panics, sexual predator stereotypes linked to trans individuals, and the intersection of moral panics with right-wing ideologies.

Dr. Julia Serano, author of Whipping Girl, discusses concepts like misgendering, cis privilege, and trans misogyny. They explore passing, perception, and the impact on trans individuals. The conversation also covers different forms of sexism, transphobia, and the nuances of gender terminology.

The podcast delves into topics like online radicalization, violent ideologies, and extremist actions. It also explores the works and controversial beliefs of author Justin Mone, along with incidents of disruptive hate group activities in public forums. The narratives dissect Israeli propaganda tactics, challenges perceptions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and navigates delicate discussions around anti-Semitism and Jewish identity.

Classic feminist horror story author Charlotte Perkins Gilman is featured in this podcast discussing the protagonist's unsettling experience with eerie wallpaper, growing obsession with it, and influence on HP Lovecraft's cosmic horror. The narrator's paranoia and symbolism in literature are explored in depth, making for an intriguing analysis.