How Secure are Security Clearances?
How does a government decide who can know what? In the modern day, it comes down to something called security clearances. In today's episode the guys explore how the US decides who's trustworthy enough to get the scoop on stuff the public can't know -- and what happens when things go wrong. They don’t want you to read our book.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
18 Nov 20221h 4min
Listener Mail: Nicholas Rossi's "Hospital Tattoos," Tennessee Spirits, and Mysteries of the Moon
Fiona hips the gang to the bizarre, disturbing tale of a man called -- occasionally -- "Nicholas Rossi." Plaquetos calls for more information about the ongoing Appalachian belief in a certain type of haunting spirit. RC prompts a conversation about the effects the moon may have on your body and mind. All this and more in this week's listener mail. They don’t want you to read our book.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
17 Nov 202242min
How Federal Classification Works (and why it’s a problem)
You've seen it in countless works of film and fiction -- a shady operative hands someone a folder, marked 'classified,' or 'top secret.' But what is classification in real life? What makes one piece of information fit for the public, and another piece the kind of thing that has to be buried for generations? In today's episode, the guys explore the fact, fiction and controversy surrounding how the government chooses the stuff it doesn't want you to know. They don’t want you to read our book.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
16 Nov 202256min
CLASSIC: Did the CIA invent counterculture?
In the US, the 1960s were a crucible of culture -- college students, veterans, the disadvantaged and activists across the country sought to overthrow the status quo and build their own vision of a better world. This period in time produced some of the most influential art, music and prose in recent history, and introduced LSD to the mainstream. So why do so many people think it was ultimately a CIA operation? They don’t want you to read our book.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
15 Nov 20221h 4min
Strange News: Mysterious Ghosts on Camera, Kanye, the National Park Service Begs You To Stop Licking Toads
An indoor security camera captures a strange, disturbing image. The owners of the "White Lives Matter" offer to sell the trademark for a billion dollars. And, with what appears to be absolute sincerity, the good folks at the US National Parks Service are begging locals to stop licking toads for a hallucinogenic experience. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
14 Nov 202246min
The PROMIS Affair - Digging Deeper
How did a little piece of software meant to organize files become the centerpiece of a global conspiracy? In today's episode, the guys dive deep into a twisting, troubled tale of intrigue, spycraft, and murder. They don’t want you to read our book.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11 Nov 202250min
Listener Mail: Space Junk, The Feds Roll Up, and the Terrifying Reality of Precrime in the US
Chen calls in with an extraordinary tale of mysterious government agents detaining him at work. The Baron writes in to ask about ancient metal from the stars. Over on Instagram, an anonymous source gives their first-hand experience working in the world of precrime... and how the technology is much further along than the average person might assume. (That last one, in fact, was so frightening that we decided to end on some jokes.) All this and more in this week's listener mail. They don’t want you to read our book.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10 Nov 202257min
Rent To Own: Brilliant Business or Brutal Corruption?
In the modern day, many individuals define their lives in terms of large financial purchases -- buying a house, a home, or an appliance. Acquiring debt from higher schooling or a medical procedure, and so on. When you can't pay all at once, you get a loan. When you can't get a loan, you look elsewhere... and, it turns out, there's a multibillion dollar industry waiting to sell you a dream. So, what happens next? In today's episode, the guys dive into the troubling evolution of the "rent-to-own" industry, and what it means for the shift from an ownership society to a world of constant renters. They don’t want you to read our book.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Nov 202253min
