Description

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the legacy of late billionaire David Koch, the menace of bedbugs, and why so many people are choosing to remain friends after a breakup.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Billionaire libertarian and David Koch has died. Natalia referred to Jane Mayer’s New Yorker article that first brought major attention to the political influence of the Koch brothers.
• Bedbugs are in the news these days with outbreaks at the Trump Doral Resort and the New York Times. When political scientist David Karpf joked that Bret Stephens is a “bedbug,” the New York Times columnist emailed his provost. Niki recommended Karpf’s most recent book, Analytical Activism: Digital Listening and the New Political Strategy. Natalia referred to science journalist Brooke Borel’s book, Infested: How the Bed Bug Infiltrated our Bedrooms and Took Over the World.
• Why do people want to stay friends after a breakup, The Atlantic recently asked in an article by Ashley Fetters. Natalia recommended historian Nancy Cott’s book, Public Vows: A History of Marriage and the Nation, Christine Whelan’s book Why Smart Men Marry Smart Women, and Moira Weigel’s Labor of Love: The Invention of Dating.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended Tara Westover’s memoir, Educated.
• Neil discussed International Dog Day, and specifically, George H.W. Bush’s dog Ranger.
• Niki shared Jamelle Bouie’s New York Times opinion piece, “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Understands Democracy Better than Republicans Do.”