Explained

S01E17: Political Correctness

Political correctness can sometimes feel like a tug-of-war between inclusivity and free speech. Experts discuss the concepts behind the fraught term.

Overview

This documentary series, made in partnership with Vox, explain some of the world's current trends, from politics, to science to pop culture.

Episodes

The Racial Wealth Gap

S01E01 The Racial Wealth Gap

May 23, 2018 7.4 16 min
Cory Booker and others discuss how slavery, housing discrimination and centuries of inequality have compounded to create a racial wealth gap.
Designer DNA

S01E02 Designer DNA

May 23, 2018 8.0 17 min
Scientific feat or terrifying social experiment? Specialists in the field discuss the high stakes and ethical controversies of gene editing.
Monogamy

S01E03 Monogamy

May 23, 2018 7.5 18 min
What do biology, human history and the promiscuity of bonobos reveal about monogamy? Experts and everyday couples weigh in on shifting cultural norms.
K-Pop

S01E04 K-Pop

May 30, 2018 8.0 20 min
Elaborate music videos, adoring fans, killer choreography. Learn about the global music phenomenon from South Korea that goes beyond "Gangnam Style."
Cryptocurrency

S01E05 Cryptocurrency

June 6, 2018 7.7 14 min
Cryptocurrency has made people billionaires, but is digital cash the next revolution? Learn about this anonymous currency and how it's coveted.
Why Diets Fail

S01E06 Why Diets Fail

June 13, 2018 7.5 14 min
Atkins. Paleo. Keto. Do any work in the long term? Experts look at marketing, food environments and genes to explain why diets are often unsuccessful.
The Stock Market

S01E07 The Stock Market

June 20, 2018 6.7 17 min
Does the stock market accurately reflect the status of the economy? Finance specialists discuss market history, valuations and CEO incentives.
eSports

S01E08 eSports

June 27, 2018 6.7 17 min
Is fake violence a sport? Fans, shoutcasters, and eSports icons break down today's video games and the explosive popularity of competitive gaming.
Extraterrestrial Life

S01E09 Extraterrestrial Life

July 4, 2018 7.0 18 min
Despite decades of searching, we have yet to discover extraterrestrial life. Scientists discuss the reasons, including: Are aliens just too snobby?
!

S01E10 !

July 11, 2018 6.3 15 min
Do we overuse exclamation points!? Linguists and copy editors look at how the punctuation has adapted across history, literature and internet-speak.
Cricket

S01E11 Cricket

July 18, 2018 7.0 16 min
Cricket experts look at how the confusing sport became so popular and discuss its evolution in becoming more accessible entertaining and profitable.
Weed

S01E12 Weed

July 25, 2018 7.7 20 min
Marijuana experts discuss the rise of potent "sexually frustrated" cannabis plants, the quests for consistency in weed strains and the history of hemp.
Tattoo

S01E13 Tattoo

August 1, 2018 7.3 18 min
They've been used to command respect, punish criminals and mark achievements. Tattooists speak about the origins of tattoo traditions and rituals.
Astrology

S01E14 Astrology

August 8, 2018 7.0 18 min
Do zodiac signs prescribe your fate? Or do horoscopes' accuracy lie in the placebo effect? Take a look at the science, history and lure of astrology.
Can We Live Forever ?

S01E15 Can We Live Forever ?

August 15, 2018 7.7 18 min
Can we uncover the secrets to extending the human lifespan? Experts discuss how developments in science -- even the French lilac -- hold some clues.
The Female Orgasm

S01E16 The Female Orgasm

August 22, 2018 7.0 18 min
The female orgasm is more elusive when a man is involved. Discover the reasons why and how women are embracing hands on solutions.
Political Correctness

S01E17 Political Correctness

August 29, 2018 7.7 18 min
Political correctness can sometimes feel like a tug-of-war between inclusivity and free speech. Experts discuss the concepts behind the fraught term.
Why Women Are Paid Less

S01E18 Why Women Are Paid Less

September 5, 2018 7.0 18 min
Hillary Clinton and Anne-Marie Slaughter discuss the cultural norms at the center of the worldwide gender pay gap, including the "motherhood penalty."
The World's Water Crisis

S01E19 The World's Water Crisis

September 12, 2018 8.7 18 min
The global water crisis is at an inflection point. How do we price our most valuable resource, while also ensuring access to it as a human right?
Music

S01E20 Music

September 19, 2018 7.0 19 min
When does sound become music? Why are humans so uniquely able to master musicality? Researchers talk rhythm, octaves and the magic of song and dance.

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