Digest

This episode of The Economist Intelligence explores two significant topics. Firstly, it delves into the findings of a recent inquiry into Britain's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the government's shortcomings and the potential threat of a new pandemic, particularly the avian flu. The inquiry's conclusions emphasize the need for better preparedness and highlight the concerning spread of the avian flu in mammals, including humans. The episode then shifts to a discussion about the role of white women in American slavery. New research suggests that white women were not merely passive bystanders but active participants in the slave trade, seeing it as a means to achieve economic independence. This research challenges the traditional narrative that focused primarily on the cruelty of white men, revealing a more complex and disturbing picture of the institution of slavery. The episode concludes with a discussion about the Economist's new game, Dateline, which challenges readers to guess the year of publication for excerpts from past editions of the magazine.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the Economist Intelligence podcast and its host, Rosie Bloor. It highlights the podcast's focus on providing fresh perspectives on global events.

00:01:10

UK's COVID-19 Inquiry

This Chapter discusses the findings of the UK's inquiry into the country's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The inquiry concluded that the government had failed the British people, highlighting the inadequate preparedness for a pandemic of the scale that occurred. The chapter also discusses the potential threat of a new pandemic, particularly the avian flu, which is showing signs of adapting to mammals, including humans.

00:09:46

White Women and American Slavery

This Chapter explores the role of white women in American slavery. New research suggests that white women were not passive bystanders but active participants in the slave trade, seeing it as a means to achieve economic independence. The research challenges the traditional narrative that focused primarily on the cruelty of white men, revealing a more complex and disturbing picture of the institution of slavery.

00:17:31

The Economist's New Game: Dateline

This Chapter introduces the Economist's new game, Dateline, which challenges readers to guess the year of publication for excerpts from past editions of the magazine. The game is designed to be both entertaining and educational, highlighting the magazine's rich archive of content and engaging readers with its history.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were the key findings of the UK's inquiry into the country's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic?

  The inquiry concluded that the government had failed the British people, highlighting the inadequate preparedness for a pandemic of the scale that occurred. The inquiry also raised concerns about the potential threat of a new pandemic, particularly the avian flu, which is showing signs of adapting to mammals, including humans.

• How did white women in the American South participate in the slave trade?

  New research suggests that white women were not merely passive bystanders but active participants in the slave trade, seeing it as a means to achieve economic independence. They bought and sold slaves, set up businesses using slave labor, and often treated their slaves with the same brutality as men.

• What is The Economist's new game, Dateline, and how does it work?

  Dateline is a game that challenges readers to guess the year of publication for excerpts from past editions of The Economist. The game is designed to be both entertaining and educational, highlighting the magazine's rich archive of content and engaging readers with its history.

• What are the potential dangers of the avian flu virus?

  The avian flu virus, specifically the H5N1 strain, has been a concern for its potential to become a pandemic, as it has shown signs of adapting to mammals, including humans. This adaptation could make the virus more easily transmissible between humans, leading to a widespread outbreak.

• How does Stephanie Jones Rogers' research challenge traditional narratives about American slavery?

  Rogers' research reveals that white women were not passive bystanders in the slave trade but active participants, often seeing it as a path to economic independence. This challenges the traditional narrative that focused primarily on the cruelty of white men, revealing a more complex and disturbing picture of the institution of slavery.

• What are the benefits of The Economist creating games like Dateline?

  Games like Dateline provide readers with a fun and engaging way to interact with The Economist's content, encouraging them to explore its archive and learn about its history. They also help to build reader loyalty and create a sense of community among subscribers.

Show Notes