Price Tag: Congressional Trading, College Rankings, the Art of Mediocrity

First: We’ve got the top headlines of the week: a national abortion ban on the table just weeks before the midterms, August inflation numbers (sigh), Ukraine’s recent string of W’s, and the DL on the new updates for iMessage. 

Then: After a scandal at Columbia University, the college went from #2 to #18 on the US News College Ranking List. But after learning just how the list comes up with its rankings, many are questioning how legit that list even is. We break down what caused Columbia’s fall from grace and the shady side of college-ranking culture…in 60 seconds.  

Next: An investigation by The New York Times found that nearly one-fifth of Congress – or their family members – were trading stock in a way that could be considered a conflict, renewing convos around Congressional stock trading and whether it should be allowed. To hear both sides of the spicy debate, we talk to one of the reporters. PS: check out the Times investigation here. 

Finally: Being mediocre at your hobbies is in. Chasing perfectionism is out. We talk to a WSJ columnist who investigated the art of being bad at something and how it actually makes your mental health and your life better. Huzzah for participation trophies. 


On this episode, you’ll hear from: 


Kate Kelly, domestic correspondent, The New York Times


Rachel Feintzeig, columnist, The Wall Street Journal


PS: Calling all Skimm This listeners. Have questions about the news, work, or life? Call and leave us a voicemail at (929) 266-4381. We can’t wait to hear from you.

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Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Will Livingston, and Blake Lew-Merwin. Engineered by Andrew Callaway and Elie McAfee-Hahn. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.