"

the NPR production style

always feels to me like a really condescending dance partner

"We’re going to give you information, and you’re going to like it. We’re going to package it in a highly-refined and expensively-produced sequence of mounting suspense and turns out moments that’ll keep your adrenaline going the whole way, and you’ll come out the other end feeling really special and intelligent, even if all we’re talking about is the dominant color of smartphone screens."

"You like that? You’re gonna love this."

"Bet you hadn’t heard this one before"

"But wait, there’s more brain candy!"

"Let me show you something really cool"

it’s like Mr Rogers for adults

instead of "You’re beautiful and I love you just the way you are"

it’s "You’re very intelligent, and you’re learning a lot of valuable things that’ll get you ahead in life."

It’s all on the same emotional level

"Here’s a candy so you’ll hold still for your haircut. You look great, go get ‘em tiger!"