The Rest of the Story, 2023 | Planet Money

Intro

In the “Planet Money” podcast episode titled “The Rest of the Story, 2023,” the team reflects on their work in 2023, checks in on people and their stories, and explores various topics such as vacation time, labor unions, social science research, and the life of singer Ernest Jackson.

Main Takeaways

Reflections on Work in 2023

• Deadlines keep the team honest and help them move on to the next story.
• The show checks in on people and their stories, following up on the impact of their experiences.
• The team reflects on their work in 2023, including coverage of inflation, AI, and Planet Money Summer School.
• The show expresses gratitude to its supporters and encourages donations to NPR for future content.

Americans and Vacation Time

• A popular episode discussed Americans’ lack of vacation time compared to other countries.
• The episode explored theories behind this issue, such as the Protestant work ethic and the role of labor unions.
• In the US, people struggle with not being productive and find it hard to take time off without accomplishing anything.
• The speaker went on a two-week vacation and found it challenging to relax and be unproductive.
• The speaker felt that a mix of a week of relaxation and a week of productivity would be the right balance for them.
• The speaker wishes to learn how to chill out and take a vacation without accomplishing anything.

The Hollywood Strike

• The Hollywood strike involved a back and forth between the unions and the studios, with picketing and weaponizing labor laws.
• The studios used labor laws to designate certain entrances as neutral gates to prevent picketing.
• A strike captain, Bill Walkoff, was obsessed with proving that the studios were abusing the neutral gate system.
• Bill’s quest was to prove abuse of the system and flip the gate, expanding the strike’s reach.
• The writers suspected Dancing with the Stars of cheating and planned to create a delay in their live taping.
• The strike ended, and Dancing with the Stars went on as planned.
• Bill returned to work on the Star Trek series, Strange New Worlds, after the strike.
• President of the production company’s positive feedback breaks the ice at the office.
• Studio execs offer free donuts and pastries as a gesture of goodwill.

The Shift in Social Science Research

• The shift towards transparency in social science research is leading to the uncovering of inconsistencies and fraud.
• Data detectives are questioning significant research findings and uncovering fraud.
• Professor Yuri Simonson’s forensic skills in Microsoft Excel are highlighted.
• The intrigue of true crime and solving puzzles makes for interesting stories.
• Professor Yuri Simonson and Data Collada get sued for $25 million.
• Francesca Gino sues Harvard and Data Collada for defamation and breach of contract.
• Fundraiser organized for Data Collada’s legal defense raises $375,000 from famous academics and Nobel Prize winners.
• Yuri is grateful for the support he received from a project, which made him feel validated and motivated to continue pushing the discipline to work better with data.

The Life of Singer Ernest Jackson

• Ernest Jackson, the singer of the song “Inflation,” has passed away at the age of 75.
• Ernest Jackson had a remarkable career as a singer and performer but spent most of it as a singing waiter in Baton Rouge.
• The song “Inflation” by Ernest Jackson has garnered two million streams and was even featured on his favorite radio station.
• Television writer and producer Scott Jacobson heard Ernest’s voice on the show and cast him to sing a song for an episode of “Bob’s Burgers.”
• Ernest’s vocals brought a rare treat to the show, as his voice changed the song “Gas in My Car,” reflecting the 70s gas crisis.
• Ernest’s son Quarry shared his father’s joyous and humorous nature, and his love for singing.
• Ernest was in good spirits and happy about his recent success, finding it to be a big break for him.
• The producers and team were honored to work with Ernest and share his talent with the world.
• Ernest’s rendition of Sam Cook’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” reflected his belief in the need for change in life.

Summary

Reflections on Work in 2023

The “Planet Money” team reflects on their work in 2023, appreciating the role of deadlines in keeping them honest and helping them move on to the next story. They express gratitude to their supporters and encourage donations to NPR for future content. The team also highlights their coverage of topics such as inflation, AI, and Planet Money Summer School, showcasing their commitment to providing informative and engaging content.

Americans and Vacation Time

An episode of “Planet Money” delved into the issue of Americans’ lack of vacation time compared to other countries. The show explored theories behind this issue, including the Protestant work ethic and the role of labor unions. It revealed that many Americans struggle with the idea of not being productive and find it difficult to take time off without accomplishing anything. The speaker, who went on a two-week vacation, found it challenging to relax and be unproductive. They suggested that a balance between a week of relaxation and a week of productivity might be the right approach.

The Hollywood Strike

The Hollywood strike became a battleground between unions and studios, with picketing and the strategic use of labor laws. The studios designated certain entrances as neutral gates to prevent picketing, leading strike captain Bill Walkoff to obsessively prove the abuse of this system. The writers even suspected Dancing with the Stars of cheating and planned to create a delay in their live taping. However, the strike eventually ended, and Dancing with the Stars proceeded as planned. Bill Walkoff returned to work on the Star Trek series, Strange New Worlds, and positive feedback from the president of the production company helped ease tensions.

The Shift in Social Science Research

The podcast episode highlighted the shift towards transparency in social science research, which has led to the uncovering of inconsistencies and fraud. Data detectives are now questioning significant research findings and uncovering instances of fraud. Professor Yuri Simonson’s forensic skills in Microsoft Excel were showcased as an essential tool in this process. The intrigue of true crime and solving puzzles make these stories interesting to listeners. However, the episode also revealed that Professor Yuri Simonson and Data Collada faced a $25 million lawsuit from Francesca Gino, who sued Harvard and Data Collada for defamation and breach of contract. A fundraiser was organized to support Data Collada’s legal defense, raising $375,000 from famous academics and Nobel Prize winners. Despite the challenges, Yuri expressed gratitude for the support received, which validated his work and motivated him to continue pushing for better practices in working with data.

The Life of Singer Ernest Jackson

The podcast episode paid tribute to the late singer Ernest Jackson, who passed away at the age of 75. Despite spending most of his career as a singing waiter in Baton Rouge, Ernest had a remarkable talent as a singer and performer. His song “Inflation” garnered two million streams and even made it onto his favorite radio station. Television writer and producer Scott Jacobson discovered Ernest’s voice and cast him to sing a song for an episode of “Bob’s Burgers.” Ernest’s vocals brought a unique touch to the show, as his voice perfectly reflected the 70s gas crisis in the altered song “Gas in My Car.” Ernest’s son Quarry shared his father’s joyful and humorous nature, as well as his love for singing. Ernest was in good spirits and grateful for the recent success, considering it a big break for him. The producers and the team felt honored to work with Ernest and share his talent with the world. His rendition of Sam Cook’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” resonated with his belief in the need for change in life.

Conclusion

The “Planet Money” podcast episode “The Rest of the Story, 2023” offers a comprehensive reflection on the team’s work in 2023, explores intriguing topics such as Americans’ struggle with vacation time, delves into the complexities of labor strikes in Hollywood, discusses the shift in social science research, and pays tribute to the life and talent of singer Ernest Jackson. Through engaging storytelling and thought-provoking discussions, the episode provides valuable insights into various aspects of society, economics, and human experiences.