Episode 146: Crafting, the 2008 Financial Crisis, and the Marshmallow Test

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the new reality show Making It, the 2008 financial collapse ten years later, and the death of Walter Mischel, the social psychologist who created the “marshmallow test.”

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

• Making It, a crafting competition show hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, is widely considered a welcome break from the cutthroat culture of reality television and of politics. Natalia recommended this American Conservative article on the limits of television crafting.
• Ten years after the economic crash of 2008, its effects are still felt. Natalia cited M.H. Miller’s New York Times essay, “I Came of Age During the 2008 Financial Crisis. I’m Still Angry About It”. Neil recommended the New York Times’ entire Sunday Business section’s retrospective on this topic.
• Social psychologist Walter Mischel, best known for orchestrating the “marshmallow test” that famously connected children’s ability to delay gratification with their long-term prospects for success, has died. Natalia referred to Oscar Lewis’ 1961 book, Children of Sanchez: Autobiography of a Mexican Family.

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

• Natalia discussed Stanford University’s decision to remove the name of Junipero Serra from a major building and street.
• Neil reflected on Sigal Samuel’s Atlantic article, “The Sex-Abuse Scandal is Growing Faster Than the Church Can Contain It.”
• Niki shared Nadra Nittle’s Vox article, “Students Are Waging War On Sexist and Racist Dress Codes – And They’re Winning.”