The Gist

On The Gist, Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker rounds up the holiday season's most tedious myths for a game we call "Is That Bulls--t?" Her new book, The Confidence Game, is now available for preorder. For the Spiel, all the things we don't know but tend to report in wake of another mass shooting. Today's sponsors: Stamps.com, where you can buy and print official U.S. postage right from your desk using your own computer and printer. Use the promo code THEGIST to get a no-risk trial and a $110 bonus offer. The Message, a new podcast series from GE Podcast Theater. The entire season is available now on iTunes. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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On The Gist, Slate's Fred Kaplan explains how recent GOP rhetoric plays perfectly into the bad guys' plans. He's the author of The Insurgents: David Petraeus and the Plot to Change the American Way of War and 1959: The Year Everything Changed. For the Spiel, what we know about abortion clinic safety. Today's sponsors: Goldman Sachs. Information about developments currently shaping markets, industries, and the global economy, on the firm's podcast, Exchanges at Goldman Sachs, available on iTunes. The Message, a new podcast series from GE Podcast Theater. The entire season is available now on iTunes. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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On The Gist, the real reason why government programs like Medicaid and food stamps show little to no impact on the poverty rate. We get into the specifics with Vox editor Ezra Klein. Check out his new podcast The Weeds, from Panoply. For the Spiel, put down your weapons. Today's sponsors: Stamps.com, where you can buy and print official U.S. postage right from your desk using your own computer and printer. Use the promo code THEGIST to get a no-risk trial and a $110 bonus offer. Citrix GoToMeeting. When meetings matter, millions choose GoToMeeting. Get a free 30-day trial by visiting GoToMeeting.com and clicking the "try it free" button. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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On The Gist, a parent's worst nightmare. Three years ago this week, Ron Davis and Lucia McBath's 17-year-old son was shot while Black Friday shopping with his friends. The HBO documentary 3½ Minutes, Ten Bullets tells the story of how they pursued justice for their son. For the Spiel, why uncle slander has become a Thanksgiving tradition. Today's sponsor: The Message, a new podcast series from GE Podcast Theater. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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On The Gist, Mike asks Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker to stand up to tell us about dangers of sitting. She's the author of The Confidence Game, now available for preorder. For the Spiel, Mike examines the spooky, spooky specter of a Trump presidency. Today's sponsors: Harry's, the shaving company that offers German-engineered blades, well-designed handles, and shipping right to your door. Visit Harrys.com for $5 off your first purchase with the promo code THEGIST. 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.

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On The Gist, comedian David Steinberg joins us to share favorite tales from his life making comedy history. His new show is called The David Steinberg Podcast. For the Spiel, Mike takes on the manhunt for Saleh Abdeslam in Brussels. Today's sponsor: The Message, a new podcast series from GE Podcast Theater. Be sure to catch up before the final episode airs this Sunday evening. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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Screenwriter and dramatist David Hare has written about the Chinese revolution, the U.S. financial crisis, privatization of the railways, and now, finally, his own story. On The Gist, the award-winning playwright will discuss on his new memoir The Blue Touch Paper. For the Spiel, Mike's theory to explain why so many people are distressed and downtrodden—they are wrong. Today's sponsors: Squarespace.com. Get a free trial and 10 percent off your first purchase when you visit Squarespace.com and enter offer code GIST. The Message, a new podcast series from GE Podcast Theater. Be sure to catch up before the final episode airs this Sunday evening. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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On The Gist, reporter Jim Popkin tells us about his Newsweek cover story, "Meet the Former Pentagon Scientist Who Says Psychics Can Help American Spies." For the Spiel, advice for the 31 state governors who say they'll not be taking in Syrian refugees. Today's sponsor: The Message, a new podcast series from GE Podcast Theater. Be sure to catch up before the final episode airs this Sunday evening. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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On The Gist, Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker examines how we utilize our grey matter for a segment we call "Is That Bulls--t?" Her new book, The Confidence Game, is now available for preorder. For the Spiel, why Fox News never plays the full quote. Today's sponsor: Stamps.com, where you can buy and print official U.S. postage right from your desk using your own computer and printer. Use the promo code THEGIST to get a no-risk trial and a $110 bonus offer. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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On The Gist, a look at what technologies have been the most helpful in deterring another major terrorist attack. Our guest Dr. Gary LaFree is the director of the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence led by the University of Maryland. During our interview, he mentioned the Global Terrorism Database, for which he's a principal investigator. For the Spiel, what Mike watched on TV. Today's sponsors: SAP HANA. SAP HANA helps the world's best companies get the answers they need to become more agile, develop new streams of revenue, and predict the future. Run SAP. And Run Simple. Visit sap.com/reimagine to learn more. Harry's, the shaving company that offers German-engineered blades, well-designed handles, and shipping right to your door. Visit Harrys.com for $5 off your first purchase with the promo code 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.

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