4 chapters across the catalog
A series of BBC clips teaches the "utility" of being vague in spoken English using terms like "more or less," "bits," and "ish." The hosts argue that vagueness is primarily used to lie, obfuscate the truth, or exploit the lack of knowledge in others. They link this linguistic tactic to political speech and legal contracts, where ambiguity is a "design feature" used to maintain control.
The hosts discuss the softening of "T" sounds and the use of "axe" instead of "ask" in Southern and Black dialects. Mo explains that these linguistic traits are often unfairly equated with a lack of intelligence. They note how Southern hip-hop has influenced the speech patterns of younger generations, leading to what some might call "cultural appropriation" by non-Southern youth.
The episode concludes with a final round of donor thank-yous, including Jennifer Kato and Alyssa, the "apocalyptic shield maiden." The hosts briefly mention "News Benders," a 1970s BBC satirical film about planning the news years in advance. They reiterate the "value for value" mission and encourage listeners to support the show via mofundme.com as they prepare for episode 91.
A clip from the 1970s BBC film "News Benders" depicts a journalist being recruited into a secret organization that "plans the news" for the upcoming year. The dialogue suggests that hard-hitting journalism is often traded for "soufflés" (soft content) once a reporter joins the establishment. The hosts compare this fictional recruitment to the modern patterns of media manipulation and predictable news cycles.
