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Updating ‘Conjuntion Junction’ to Explain Credit Woes

If you watched a lot of television as a kid like I did, you are no doubt familiar with Schoolhouse Rock, the cartoons and songs that tried to explain the way

Jul 31, 2020
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If you watched a lot of television as a kid like I did, you are no doubt familiar with “Schoolhouse Rock,” the cartoons and songs that tried to explain the way the world worked to children. The one stuck in my head to this day is “Conjunction Junction.”(Conjunction junction, what’s your function? Hooking up words and phrases and clauses.) There’s also “I’m Just a Bill”on Capitol Hill, which explains how a bill becomes law. It served as my first introduction to the political system.
Over at Slate’s The Big Money,they’ve come up with an inspired idea: Using the “Schoolhouse Rock” method to explain the credit crisis. Everyone knows it’s a truly awful, bad thing, but few would attempt in everyday conversation to sketch out history and usage of credit default swaps.
The Big Money isn’t going to tackle the really complicated things like mortgage-backed securities right away. Instead, they’re starting off with the basics, such as bonds. You can listen and watch here,as the bonds grow into maturity.
I’m just hoping the songs don’t stick with me the way “Conjunction Junction” did.
Dexter Cooke

Dexter Cooke

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Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide. He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina. Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations. As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all. Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
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