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02/20/17: An economics linguistic lesson
Feb 20, 2017

02/20/17: An economics linguistic lesson

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When you read a story about minimum wage or hear a story about it on air, chances are we use the word "hike." It's short, it's punchy, but it also has some negative connotations attached to it. We take a look at the linguistics behind the word shaping our conversations about minimum wage. Also on today's show: New Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt takes control of the agency this week. What will his EPA look like? Finally, the Oscars are next week, so we talked to one of the show's main producers about what its like to produce an award show in this political climate. 

Segments From this episode

What the political climate means for award shows like the Oscars

Feb 17, 2017
Celebrities are using award show wins to make political statements. So what does that mean for Hollywood's biggest night?
Decorations are displayed at the 89th Annual Academy Awards Nominee Luncheon.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

How the new EPA chief can take the agency in a new direction

Feb 20, 2017
President Donald Trump picked his new National Security Adviser today. Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster will replace Michael Flynn, who resigned after withholding information about a call with Russia’s ambassador. Tomorrow, Scott Pruitt — another high-profile appointee — will take his job as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency.  Pruitt has a complicated past with […]

A four-letter word is shaping the debate on minimum wage increases

Feb 20, 2017
Wage hike or wage increase? Does it really matter? Linguists would say "yes."
Protesters gathered at a rally for minimum wage in New York City. 
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Walmart results come amid fierce competition with Amazon

Feb 20, 2017
Walmart releases its quarterly results tomorrow, and they should be interesting. The world’s largest brick-and-mortar retailer has been scrambling to take on another retail titan — Amazon. Walmart recently lowered the minimum purchase amount for free two-day shipping to $35. And if you’re willing to pick up your online order at the local Walmart store, […]

Why a food scientist is trying to make powdered breast milk

Feb 20, 2017
Donated breast milk in liquid form can be expensive because it needs to be to be screened for disease and drugs, and then stored. One way to address this may be a technique called "spray-drying."
Containers with donated milk at the human milk bank in Lima, Peru.
ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP/Getty Images

When you read a story about minimum wage or hear a story about it on air, chances are we use the word “hike.” It’s short, it’s punchy, but it also has some negative connotations attached to it. We take a look at the linguistics behind the word shaping our conversations about minimum wage. Also on today’s show: New Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt takes control of the agency this week. What will his EPA look like? Finally, the Oscars are next week, so we talked to one of the show’s main producers about what its like to produce an award show in this political climate. 

Music from the episode

One Minute Man (feat. Ludacris) Missy Elliott, Ludacris
Stress Me Out Bibio, Olivier St.Louis
Girlfriend Phoenix
Human After All Daft Punk
What Do You Mean? Justin Bieber
Young, Wild & Free (feat. Bruno Mars) Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Bruno Mars