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Comment from jbetz
Date: January 27, 2009, 8:12 pm

This is a great podcast, i’m a big fan of jonah lehrer’s blog and read it daily. i found this bit really interesting, both in the ny times and on his blog, and i’m glad to see you guys did a bit on it as well.

p.s. i thought it was funny.

Comment from A Fan
Date: January 27, 2009, 10:08 pm

I heart you, bitches!

Comment from Kyle P. Feeley
Date: January 28, 2009, 2:39 am

I am Radiolab’s bitch!

Comment from Wilbur Stankalovich
Date: January 28, 2009, 3:45 am

Best science show since Mr. Wizard, I’m your number 1 bitch!!!

Comment from Sargun Dhillon
Date: January 28, 2009, 3:53 am

That was awesome, keep it up, bitches!

Comment from A Ceiling Fan
Date: January 28, 2009, 5:05 am

Apologizing for having fun to those people who take paradoxical delight in being meaninglessly, mindlessly offended. Depressing, and entirely too common…

Comment from Bill Kelly
Date: January 28, 2009, 10:43 am

Love the show! My kids (middle and high schoolers) want me to put on a RadioLab when we’re on a long car drive. That’s cool!

I wondered if you could tell me what the piano music is at the end of the Obama Effect, Perhaps podcast episode.

Thanks!

Comment from Michelle
Date: January 28, 2009, 10:47 am

I am echoing Bill Kelly in saying that I also love the show and am wondering what the piano piece at the end of Obama Effect is. Thanks!

Comment from Michael
Date: January 28, 2009, 11:15 am

Hey what was the piano piece that played at about 13 minutes into the podcast? Was it Philip Glass?

Comment from Stephen
Date: January 28, 2009, 12:31 pm

Man, what a powerful little segment. I think it speaks not only to the subtle influence of stereotypes, but also to the general malady of self-doubt. Very encouraging. Thank you!

Comment from Ellen from Radiolab
Date: January 28, 2009, 1:53 pm

Bill, Michelle, Michael –

The piano piece is “Vladimir’s Blues” by Max Richter.

Comment from BG
Date: January 28, 2009, 4:20 pm

The idea that test administrators can affect the results is not news to me. Think about Galvanic Skin Response tests. I’ve seen lots of theories about how to “fool” a lie detector, but I’ve never seen anyone talk about how the lie detector test administrator can influence the outcome of the test.

When I was 20, I had to take a lie detector test for a job at a convenience store. I was ushered into the room. The test administrator was talking to a regional manager. He had the test results of the previous few test subjects in front of him and was discussing their results.

“This one lied about stealing, this one lied about his job history, we just got ourselves a bunch of liars here today!”

The regional manager left the room, and the test administrator turned to glare at me intensely.

“I’m gonna strap you into that chair now. You gotta be careful during this test. If you scratch your nose during the test, it’s gonna show up over here like you’re lying to me. If you move your big toe, it’ll look like you’re lyin’. So if you need to itch anything or twitch anything, now’s the time to do it.”

Truly, I’m not exaggerating — the man was like a predator, super anxious to catch people out. He had a nearly religious fervor for ferreting out liars.

Do you want to guess how I did on the test?

Comment from Matt
Date: January 28, 2009, 4:59 pm

Great show! What is the music used after the end of the test-taking story before the transition to the letters part? It’s beautiful.

–Oh, I see know. Thank’s, Ellen!

Comment from Anonymous
Date: January 28, 2009, 5:13 pm

ah no don’t apologize!!

ahh pass the salt.. lol

Comment from Xopher
Date: January 28, 2009, 8:19 pm

I loved it when you said “bitches.” I listened to it over and over. Unexpected and funny.

Comment from Gabe
Date: January 28, 2009, 8:38 pm

Did an of these people you talked to have any ideas about retraining yourself not to have the self doubting dialogue distract you? Even though these stereotypes run deep, it seems like there must be some way to train them out of your mind. Also, I cracked up over the bitches comment, and I and everyone I know who listens got it.

Comment from Brian
Date: January 28, 2009, 9:15 pm

I loved the “stay with us… bitches”!!!

Comment from Joe Pugh
Date: January 28, 2009, 10:25 pm

I laughed out loud when he said it!

what ever Bitches.

Comment from Ceridwynne
Date: January 28, 2009, 10:39 pm

That was a powerful 17 min!

I wonder if it would be effective for kids in hoods like Wash Heights and the Bronx to hear this segment so they could get a cognitive jump on this challenge… How could we go about that?

I love RadioLab and its insights, but I imagine your listener base is relatively narrow. Shows with these kind of insights need a wide distribution!

Comment from Traveler
Date: January 29, 2009, 12:15 am

“Bitches” was startling and funny. Those moments add real humanity to the show, plus they make me ciggle (more diaphragm used than a giggle, but not so much that it becomes a cackle). A perfect opening to the episode.

Comment from alice
Date: January 29, 2009, 3:50 am

I almost fell out of my chair when Jad said the Ira Glass line with ‘bitches’ at the end. I found it hilarious and am glad you left it in.

Comment from Neko
Date: January 29, 2009, 12:26 pm

I also am a fan of the “Bitches” comment. unexpected and funny.

thanks for a great show guys.

Comment from Tom Regan
Date: January 29, 2009, 2:10 pm

I’ve listened to most or all of your shows, but I have to score this one as “most fascinating.” I had no idea the effect was so powerful. The new Secretary of Education should be required to listen to this podcast.

Comment from Yaw Anokwa
Date: January 29, 2009, 2:23 pm

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/science.jpg

keep up the good work, bitches.

Comment from Anonymous
Date: January 29, 2009, 2:28 pm

Well, my favorite part was the “Letters” theme song. Jad, you should put Robert in charge of the music more often; he’s clearly got a knack for it!

Comment from Mediumjones
Date: January 29, 2009, 3:02 pm

Mind over matter. Bitches.

Comment from ben
Date: January 29, 2009, 3:24 pm

Lay off of Jad. He’s just keeping it cool for us cool guys… bitches

Comment from Berto
Date: January 29, 2009, 3:52 pm

Forget Oliver Sacks, casinos Malcolm Gladwell, the question of consciousness and free will… nothing will ever top bitches!

Comment from Mark in LA
Date: January 29, 2009, 7:20 pm

The apology was wrong! Jad, getting slapped down like that, and acquiescing, is just another step down the road to boring. Personality, man, that’s what that was, and if they don’t understand tsft. I think you need to do more of those to show that you’re not old. Oh, Snap!

Comment from Ryan
Date: January 29, 2009, 8:07 pm

Too bad the people mentioning that they found the term funny aren’t mentioning their age! That’s the interesting part to me.

I am 31. I thought it was HILARIOUS.

I was struck dumb – my breath caught in my throat – and then I fell on the floor laughing.

At the same time – I think you did the right thing to apologize to those with more sensitive … inclinations … or something – an audience is a terrible thing to waste, right? Without all those more sensitive people, I don’t get my favorite podcast to listen to.

Thanks a TON for sharing that letter… sentiment… you know.

Comment from SS
Date: January 29, 2009, 10:14 pm

I loved the bitch-slapped comment and startled myself when I laughed out loud! It was an honest, gut-reaction comment by Jad and I took no offense. I am 36…

Thanks!

Comment from Someone else in LA
Date: January 29, 2009, 10:25 pm

I totally agree with Ryan. I’m 29, female and grew up watching MTV, but I have to admit that I was a little *too* startled when I heard Jad’s very soothing voice say “bitches.” I laugh at it now, but I can also see it from the point of view of those who were offended.

So thanks, Jad, for apologizing. You’re one of my favorite people in radio and I’m glad you care about your listeners.

Comment from Joe
Date: January 30, 2009, 12:17 am

I was baffled by the “bitches”, but I laughed.
Knowing that you edit like crazy (though you preserve that informal off the cuff vibe), it seemed intentional, so I was trying to figure out what it had to do with “Choice”. Now I see. A spur-of-the-moment choice that you couldn’t cut was definitely in the spirit of the episode!! Yay!!

Comment from Rob
Date: January 30, 2009, 5:23 am

“Bitches” was wonderful, and the thought that you might censor yourself from similarly playful outbursts in the future, Jad, is distressing.

I demand an apology for your apology.

Comment from Erik
Date: January 30, 2009, 12:01 pm

I also found the non sequitur “bitches” to be hilarious. Don’t worry about it Jad. Keep up the good work all of you.

Comment from Elle
Date: January 30, 2009, 11:54 pm

Just chiming in to agree with what others have said: Jad’s unprecedented outbursts are too endearing to censor.

Love the show. Keep it up, bitches.

Comment from Chaim Peter Chester
Date: January 31, 2009, 6:02 pm

It’s unusual that people apologize on the air. I find it actually raises my respect for you (a respect that was quite high to start with). Yet another testament to your humble approach to a large and noble endeavor of bringing the overwhelming issues to their simple roots.

I’d be interested to hear an episode investigating the history and science behind apologies vs. defense. Do other animals face this issue? Obviously apologies have roots in social evolution, but then why is it often so hard to apologize?

Comment from Kellybelle
Date: February 1, 2009, 10:53 pm

great podcast (KINDA SHORT, took my by surprise on the elliptical machine). And there’s nothing wrong with saying “Bitchez” so long as you say it with a “z” and not and “s”. In the words of Sean Combs, “Take that, take that, take that.”

Comment from Apologizzzzeee AGAIN.
Date: February 2, 2009, 1:15 am

“I want jad to apologize again for apologizing. Saying bitch is a statement. Its a gentle reminder that we should not get carried away with taking ourselves too seriously. Well we young people are being polite and apologizing, but then we are loosing on our very important message. We can’t let this go on. Shut up and apologize again bitches”

Comment from Apologizzzzeee AGAIN.
Date: February 2, 2009, 1:16 am

actually to add gravity let me put it like this ..

// mob stands outside radiolab office with tourches and the leader calls into the microphone //

“I want jad to apologise again for apologizing. Saying bitch is a statement. Its a gentle reminder that we should not get carried away with taking ourselves too seriously. Well we young people are being polite and apologizing, but then we are loosing on our very important message. Shut up and apologize again bitches “

Comment from Samantha
Date: February 2, 2009, 8:37 am

Great podcast… As a teacher, i found it really interesting, especially considering the importance we give to testing.

…And not to beat a dead horse here, but some of us (younger) bitches don’t mind being called your bitches

Comment from Andrew
Date: February 2, 2009, 11:08 am

At 29, I definitely wondered at the bitches comment, and I have to say I was relieved when Jad addressed it. I certainly wasn’t offended, but it also didn’t make any sense to me. And I watched a ton of MTV as a teenager.

I noticed that the podcast was super short and there was sort of an apologia at the beginning explaining the difference between the podcast and the radio show–did the radio listeners get something that the podcast grabbers didn’t? It’s two weeks after Yellow Fluff, WHERE’S MY RADIOLAB SHOW!! I’LL STAY UP TUESDAY NIGHTS AND LISTEN ON THE RADIO IF I HAVE TO, JUST TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO DO!!!

Comment from Ellen
Date: February 2, 2009, 11:40 am

Andrew, this is Ellen from Radiolab. We hoped that this podcast might help explain/clarify. Here’s the scoop: the hour-long shows are limited. We make 5 at a time. We’re a small, scrappy staff with a limited capacity (and Robert has not one, but TWO, 2, other jobs: at ABC News and as an NPR correspondent). We’re already hard at work on the next set of 5, but it will be a while until those hit the air/internet. In the meantime, we don’t go away entirely! We’ll still bring some interesting bits out every two weeks…just not in the same hour-long package. Hang out, bitches! (Sorry – I just couldn’t resist. I, like Jad, tend to say ‘bitches’ with some regularity…and, in all honest, for comedic effect.)

Comment from chris
Date: February 2, 2009, 12:25 pm

i’m surprised people really were that offended on the ‘bitches’ comment. i heard it and couldn’t stop laughing for 5 minutes. i had to rewind it 4 times just so i could hear it again.
thanks for the laugh jad, and keep up the good work.

Comment from Anonymous
Date: February 3, 2009, 11:46 am

It was funny, bitches.

Comment from Dayna Masih
Date: February 3, 2009, 3:10 pm

I thought “the comment” was hilarious. A little calm cursing just shows your an enlightened person in my opinion.

Comment from Pablo Jaramillo
Date: February 3, 2009, 8:25 pm

To a show that has helped my mind to avoid turning to mush.

Thanks for one Bad Ass show, Bitches

Comment from Tsui Pen
Date: February 4, 2009, 12:49 am

I didn’t catch the original “bitches”
remark, and wouldn’t have minded at all.
I appreciated both the candid explanation
and the bit about Jad’s parents teasing
him, although at the cost of drawing
stares in the supermarket aisle while
giggling manically… Thank you for such
a great show!

Comment from janice
Date: February 4, 2009, 10:00 pm

what i don’t think was mentioned anywhere on this page, though it may be buried in all those “bitches,” is that the altered sign in the photo above is bush street here in san francisco. a group of people altered every single bush street sign in san francisco to say obama.

also, the bitches comment was hilarious. i’m 35

Comment from jesse
Date: February 4, 2009, 10:31 pm

Radiolab is like little bits of awe and wonder, compressed into MP3 format and sent into my ear buds. It’s the straight dope. Thanks for keeping it fascinating and real, bitches!

Comment from Amy
Date: February 5, 2009, 12:20 pm

It cracked me up when you said ‘bitches’. Loved it.

Comment from Don Jennings
Date: February 6, 2009, 11:55 am

Hey I’m 63 and I thought the “hey bitches” comment was funny.

Comment from Jenine
Date: February 6, 2009, 5:00 pm

Jad, my husband (age 36) has a “Science : It works, Bitches” t-shirt he wears frequently and I always thought it was a bit dodgy, but having heard YOU utter it, I get it. Thanks.

Comment from Vince V.
Date: February 6, 2009, 8:15 pm

Excellent show. And to add to the database, I’m 44 and laughed at the “bitches” comment. Most importantly, I like that Jad and Robert had a discussion about it on the air, and it had explanation and honest reaction. One reason I have always liked Robert is his ability to take serious and sometimes silly asides that don’t always make perfect sense in a news story, but ultimately provide greater context to a story. Or just make it more fun to listen to.

Even if I don’t agree with or get all of the references or asides that show up in Radiolab…I will always take time out to listen to it.

Thanks to everyone at Radiolab for such a wonderful program.

Comment from Serena
Date: February 7, 2009, 9:14 pm

I loved these off projects you’re experimenting with. The research presented in this episode is not new to me, but somehow, a connection was made to myself this time – maybe because the example was the GRE. But more importantly, it made me wonder how the format of time restricted standardized testing is discriminatory in itself regardless if the content is “culture-free,” simply due to the biases we internalize about our selves based on messages we receive from the larger society. Thanks for being so thought provoking as usual, and sorry for jumping on the bandwagon, bitches!

Comment from Tom McDougal
Date: February 8, 2009, 12:17 am

Janice, thanks for explaining the photo of the “Obama” street sign. That’s funny!

I *love* RadioLab and am proud to have supported it with $$. Thank you.

Comment from Troy C
Date: February 8, 2009, 5:33 am

Hey, I’d really like to know what that piano piece was. Could you guys let us know?

Comment from Bananaman
Date: February 8, 2009, 2:27 pm

I find it fitting to have the discussion of the impact of the casual use of “bitch” on a show talking about the adverse effects of normalized stereotypes. If we are looking for the root cause of such effects, I think we have a wonderful example here; believing that a negative sterotype can be played off as casual, insulated humor and is thus meaningless. Obviously these culturally normalized perceptions affect us. They go straight to the women in the math lab FYI I am 25 and understand the context.

Comment from Anonymous
Date: February 8, 2009, 2:31 pm

@Troy C: You’re not the first to ask this, but it’s no wonder you didn’t read it in between all the “bitches”!!

Quote:
Comment from Ellen from Radiolab
Date: January 28, 2009, 1:53 pm

Bill, Michelle, Michael -

The piano piece is “Vladimir’s Blues” by Max Richter.

Comment from Andy
Date: February 8, 2009, 10:01 pm

The choice episode was great; I giggled at the end; Don’t worry about it Jad.

Comment from Kat
Date: February 9, 2009, 5:48 pm

To your point, and you might find this a bit odd, but I was curious to find out if the emotional stress of my divorce might impact my cognitive ability, so I took an IQ

Comment from Kat
Date: February 9, 2009, 5:51 pm

To your point, and you might find this a bit odd, but I was curious to find out if the emotional stress of my divorce might impact my cognitive ability, so I took an IQ test during and some time after, when I was in the emotional “clear,” and as I suspected, discovered that my IQ was higher, much higher, if fact, during the less stressful period. I’d say distraction can be a most potent inhibitor.

Comment from liza
Date: February 9, 2009, 8:35 pm

whatever, bitches. we can handle it jad….

Comment from Maria
Date: February 12, 2009, 5:13 pm

I love your show but I want to be able to listen to the hour long radio show on my i-pod AND to the podcasts. Please please…

Comment from Radiolab
Date: February 12, 2009, 6:13 pm

Re: Maria. Don’t worry. You are getting both! Right now we’re between seasons, but if you stay tuned, season 6 is on the way.

Comment from jessi
Date: February 13, 2009, 2:58 am

Put another check in the “yeah, bitches!” column. I’m female and 31.

I love your show–it’s the best thing on public radio. Keep it up.

Comment from Abby
Date: February 16, 2009, 1:47 am

I was listening to the program with my boyfriend (age 28) and he said, “Did Jad just just call us ‘Bitches’?” I was like, No way. I guess I’m desensitized to the phrase (I’m 22!), I didn’t even notice. Upon rewind, we both found it awesome. I <3 Jad and Radiolab!

Comment from DJ
Date: February 17, 2009, 12:39 am

The “Bitches” comment was not a big deal at all (30 year old in case you are wondering) the quality of your programming covers a multitude of sins.

Love the show and I am excited to hear season six…in fact I am going to donate to the show tonight.

Comment from Jessica
Date: February 23, 2009, 5:42 am

I am going to donate to the show Bitches! You have exercised the scientific muscle in my brain that has atrophied.

Comment from Jonathan Rimorin
Date: February 23, 2009, 8:48 pm

I love you. By the way, Max Richter’s “Vladimir’s Blues” is from his lovely album THE BLUE NOTEBOOKS. Buy it now… bitches.

Comment from David Wells
Date: February 24, 2009, 11:33 am

Son of a britches… I was all set to email this podcast link to the teachers in the school that I teach at, but though I’m not offended by the “bitches” comment, many of our teachers would be. This is great information that I’d love to get out to our (urban, low-income, minority) school on the eve of high-stakes testing, but the message would be lost on its audience just because of a silly comment …. Any way to rewrite the intro on your web site?

Comment from eric
Date: February 25, 2009, 7:20 pm

I thought the “bitches” comment was a hilarious highlight of the episode. We had to rewind, I didn’t think he’d actually said it, but then I kept waiting for it to come back and get worked into the theme somehow.

Comment from DMV
Date: March 2, 2009, 6:18 pm

I’m 25 and I found the bitches comment a great, and unexpected, laugh. My 24-year-old coworker laughed uproariously along with me.

I love the show and I thought Jad’s apology was sensible. However, I hope that the show’s humor isn’t going to be stifled or repressed in any way. Next time someone on Radiolab wants to say “bitches,” say it again, and apologize again. There’s always someone who doesn’t won’t get the joke, but the humorless are people, too.

Comment from Anonymous
Date: March 3, 2009, 10:19 pm

I’m hesitant to use the bitch word, so I offer a theme song called Obama instead.

Sir Charles

http://www.songcastmusic.com/redirect1?id=283632771

Comment from Charles
Date: March 3, 2009, 10:24 pm

I have hesitations using the bitch word, but I jimminey I will!

http://www.songcastmusic.com/redirect1?id=283632771

Comment from Justin
Date: March 4, 2009, 12:33 pm

the bitches thing was funny.

Pingback from El Oso » Archive » [Review] The Beautiful Struggle and Dreams of My Father
Date: March 11, 2009, 1:59 am

[...] Obama on his blog it was often an attempt to dispel what he sees as the myth of the so-called “Obama effect” – that Barack, the role model, will lift up America’s Black community out of poverty and into [...]

Comment from April in Autumn
Date: March 12, 2009, 6:03 pm

You guys produced this thought-provoking podcast and most people want to talk about bitches. I love when public radio listeners kill the stereotype!

Anyway, I’m glad you said bitches just for the image of your dinner table. Your parents sound sweet.

Keep up the good work mis amigos!

Comment from Chad Brenneman
Date: March 18, 2009, 4:30 pm

Very interesting piece on the subtle effect of stereotypes. As a 32 year old white guy, I wasn’t offended by Jad’s use of the term “bitches.” I would like to ask everyone who was offended to please stop and think for a moment before contributing to the Political Correctness Monster that threatens to suck the life out of our culture.

Comment from The Pig of War
Date: March 23, 2009, 10:51 pm

I listen to Radio Lab while doing late-night philosophy essays, and LOVE IT. At two in the morning, when I heard Jad say, “Don’t go away… biiiitttcccheeezzzz.” I about DIED laughing. At that time, most anything is funny… so when something is genuinely funny it is all the more augmented. Don’t apologize, Jad. I loved it.

On a side note… does anybody know if there is a place, online or otherwise, where I can buy the Radio Lab seasons? I want to have them to help me with my young philosophy students.

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Date: March 29, 2009, 4:24 pm

[...] 29, 2009 · No Comments RadioLab! I go through podcast phases, but RadioLab has really been the longest phase [...]

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Date: April 1, 2009, 8:21 pm

[...] University of Arizona. He runs the Social Psychology of Sports Lab. He was recently on Radio Lab (WNYC – Radiolab The Obama Effect, Perhaps.). Lvl 8 Undisclosed Specialization, Undisclosed Marcabian Ground Operation Unit, Undisclosed [...]

Comment from Dave
Date: April 16, 2009, 6:01 pm

Another vote for ‘bitches’ from a 51 year-old dad who laughed out loud and played it over again for his 12 year-old son because I couldn’t believe I’d heard it right.

Don’t let the bastards wear you down, Jad.

Lay off, bitches!

Pingback from Balloon Juice » Blog Archive » The Obama Effect
Date: April 17, 2009, 10:27 am

[...] the cultural expectation of failure has a tangible effect on real success (listen, for example, to this episode of the awesome Radio [...]

Comment from [insert ghetto moniker]
Date: May 1, 2009, 11:40 am

Wow! What irony on this podcast that verifies the debilitating power of stereotypes and cultural images, Jad apologies for using one of the many hip-hop “terms of endearment” that actually sabotages Black Americans and women in one fell swoop. Say what you will of these words, but I do think when non-blacks adopt these terms it’s less damaging to their psyches than for Blacks because there is no seed in the back of non-blacks’ mind that either they are these words or that even if they aren’t, others will automatically see them as nothing but bitches and… This from a black girl who legally changed her name because I’d consistently been told it was a ghetto name. The first time I was told that, I went home and asked my mother how my name was a Jewish neighborhood in Germany. You see, the Black culture I grew up in was so far removed from hip hop; I was all Janet Jackson, “Rhythm Nation,” Stevie Wonder and Tina Turner. So I also had no idea why the other cheerleaders in high school (yeah, don’t ask) called each other bitches and hoes. So yeah, Black, White, young, or old I think studies like Claude Steele’s study show these words are more than words.

Comment from [insert ghetto moniker]
Date: May 1, 2009, 11:47 am

Also since every one proudly wears this as an age thing, I’m 31.

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Date: May 14, 2009, 12:10 pm

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Comment from Johnmclay
Date: June 3, 2009, 5:08 am

Very Interesting!!

Comment from lizz
Date: October 1, 2009, 11:22 pm

thanks for giving the song name. i’ve been carrying around a post-it that said “obama effect 13:00″ for months now.