About this episode
Many elected officials have declared metaphorical war against the coronavirus. On this week’s show, On The Media examines the historical risks and benefits of relying on bombastic cliches. Plus, quarantined celebrities are revealing how they are and, more often, aren’t just like us.
1. Jeet Heer [@HeerJeet], correspondent at The Nation, explains why treating the pandemic like a war might benefit essential workers on the frontline. Listen.
2. Nicholas Mulder [@njtmulder], historian at Cornell University, on how wartime economic policies change societies. Listen.
3. Eula Biss, author of On Immunity, on the perils of painting public health crises with the broad brush of war. Listen.
4. Bob [@bobosphere] reflects on famesplaining celebs, using their platforms for good and for not-good. Listen.
On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing [email protected].
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Get every episode summarized
Each time On the Media publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from On the Media
The Pentagon is Waging War on Its Own Paper
On the Media
A Look Back at *The* 9/11 Truther Movie
On the Media
Finance Bros Are Coming for the Public Airwaves
On the Media
How AI Chatbots are Infiltrating Classrooms
On the Media