Today on Boston Public Radio:
Jon Gruber talked about shifting attitudes around the decriminalization of cannabis, and discussed the economic, public health, and social justice implications of marijuana legalization. Gruber is the Ford professor of economics at MIT. He was instrumental in creating both Massachusetts health care reform and the Affordable Care Act. His latest book is "Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream."
Next, we opened up the lines to talk with listeners about this year’s Black Friday, getting your takes on pandemic-era shopping sprees.
Juliette Kayyem dove into the logistics of COVID vaccine distribution and talked about a "rolling recovery” through the final months of the pandemic. She also discussed presidential pardons during the final months of the Trump administration and weighed in on President-elect Biden’s latest string of cabinet picks. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, and faculty chair of the homeland security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Michael Norton broke down his research on why human beings have such a hard time breaking from tradition ahead of this COVID-era Thanksgiving. He also responded to questions and comments from listeners on the subject. Norton is the Harold M. Brierley professor of business administration at Harvard Business School and a member of Harvard’s Behavioral Insights Group. His latest book is "Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending."
Steve Grossman talked about his work with the Initiative for Competitive Inner City, and its first-ever report ranking concentrated poverty in 450 American cities. He also discussed means of encouraging and stimulating growth in inner city economies, reflecting on the initiatives he'd like to see on federal and state levels. Grossman is CEO of The Initiative for Competitive Inner City, as well as a former chairman of the DNC, state treasurer of Massachusetts, and candidate for governor.
Bob Thompson discussed news that former Jeopardy champion Ken Jennings is temporarily taking on Jeopardy hosting duties in the wake of Alex Trebek’s passing. He also reviewed the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion and HBO’s “Between the World And Me.” Thompson is the founding director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture and a trustee professor of television and popular culture at the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse.
We closed out Wednesday’s show by returning to listeners to talk about the Thanksgiving Day traditions you’re holding onto this year — and maybe some new ones you’ve invented in the time of coronavirus.
