The Gist

The Politics of Humor

The left and the right are looking for different kinds of laughs.

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Episode Notes

On the Gist, trade symbols.

In the interview, Mike talks to Dannagal Goldthwaite Young about satire, irony, and humor in a politically divided world. They discuss successful and not-so-successful examples of conservative political satire, how humor differs on the right and left, and the psychology behind comedy. Her new book is Irony and Outrage: The Polarized Landscape of Rage, Fear, and Laughter in the United States.

In the spiel, the pace of impeachment.

Email us at thegist@slate.com

Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Christina Djossa.

About the Show

A daily evening show about news, culture, and whatever else you’ll be discussing with friends and family tonight.

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Host

  • Mike Pesca is the host of the Slate daily podcast The Gist. He also contributes reports and commentary to NPR.

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