173. The Sinister Entertainment of a CEO's Murder

Nancy and Sarah discuss the very online experience of watching both the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the capture of the man named as his killer, Luigi Mangione. We discuss the memes, conspiracies, tasteless jokes, and crushes on the alleged shooter. Did the tragic incident offer a pressure-valve release to Americans frustrated by a limping healthcare system, or is it an inflection point for something more dangerous? And how should we feel when murder becomes entertainment?

Also discussed:

• The Daniel Penny verdict

• The floating-in-space feeling between election and inauguration

• Activism ain’t what it used to be

• “Will you forgive me for loving to say his name?”

• Piers Morgan, the Jerry Springer of political shows

• “The brain is a dangerous thing”

• Bonnie & Clyde and glamorous crime

• “Desire knows no ethics”

• The detail that helps Luigi Mangione’s capture in a McDonald’s make sense

• Caitlin Flanagan, the master storyteller

• “What will survive of us is love”

• Did Sonny Liston take a dive?

Plus, Sarah’s brain makes “popcorn” in the middle of the night, Nancy thinks CBD makes her sing better, Ben Dreyfuss talks with Taylor Lorenz (let’s listen), and more!