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Opinion

Opinion

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Saturday

The Monopoly board game.

The Monopoly board game. Rick Bowmer/AP hide caption

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Rick Bowmer/AP

Opinion: Monopoly money is going digital

There's an app for that! NPR's Scott Simon reflects on the news that the classic board game Monopoly will soon come with a banking app — no more paper money, math, or banking duties required.

ESSAY 03152025

Listen · 2:21
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Wednesday

Saturday

Opinion: Don't call this coffee an Americano!

Coffee shop menu in Toronto displaying Canadiano as an option. Avi Cohen hide caption

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Avi Cohen

Simon Says

Opinion: Don't call this coffee an Americano!

Canadians fed up with tariff threats and suggestions of Canada becoming the 51st state are now calling Americano coffee drinks "Canadianos." NPR's Scott Simon explains.

ESSAY 3-8-2025

Listen · 2:27
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Saturday

Gene Hackman as coach Norman Dale on the set of 1986's Hoosiers.

Gene Hackman as coach Norman Dale on the set of 1986's Hoosiers. Tom Strickland/AP/AP hide caption

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Tom Strickland/AP/AP

Simon Says

Opinion: Remembering Gene Hackman

NPR's Scott Simon remembers Gene Hackman, who played everymen, cops and villains over his long movie career. The 95 year old actor and his wife were found dead this week in their New Mexico home.

ESSAY 3-1-2025

Listen · 2:32
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Saturday

Daniel Craig, who played James Bond in five films, at the Germany premiere of Spectre in 2015.

Daniel Craig, who played James Bond in five films, at the Germany premiere of Spectre in 2015. (Michael Sohn/AP) Michael Sohn/AP hide caption

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Michael Sohn/AP

Simon Says

Opinion: Amazon to deliver a new James Bond

Amazon has acquired the creative license to the long-running James Bond franchise. But how do they plan to deliver?

ESSAY 2-22-2025

Listen · 2:29
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Saturday

TOPSHOT - Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny gestures during his trial at a Moscow courthouse on August 27, 2018. A Moscow court on August 27, 2018 gave a 30-day jail sentence to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny over an unsanctioned protest earlier this year, just days before another planned political rally. (Photo by Vasily MAXIMOV / AFP) (Photo by VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny gestures during his trial at a Moscow courthouse on August 27, 2018. VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP via Getty Images/AFP hide caption

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VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP via Getty Images/AFP

Simon Says

Opinion: Navalny's words of love

NPR's Scott Simon remembers Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died a year ago Sunday in a Russian prison.

ESSAY 2-15-2025

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Saturday

The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, where the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs will happen.

The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, where the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs will happen. Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP hide caption

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Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP

Simon Says

Opinion: What if football players chose love instead of the game?

NPR's Scott Simon considers the stenciled messages in the end zones of the Super Bowl — "CHOOSE LOVE" and "IT TAKES ALL OF US" — and imagines how players could take those messages to heart.

ESSAY 2-8-2025

Listen · 2:25
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Saturday

English singer, actress and '60s icon Marianne Faithfull.

English singer, actress and '60s icon Marianne Faithfull. Fred Mott/Getty Images/Hulton Archive hide caption

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Fred Mott/Getty Images/Hulton Archive

Simon Says

Opinion: Remembering Marianne Faithfull

NPR's Scott Simon remembers English singer and actor Marianne Faithfull, who died this week at the age of 78.

ESSAY 2-1-2025

Listen · 2:06
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Saturday

Rubble from the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, which burned down in the Eaton fire.

Rubble from the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, which burned down in the Eaton fire. Getty Images hide caption

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Getty Images

Opinion: A miracle amid the fire

NPR's Scott Simon shares the story of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, which burned from the Eaton Fire. A mural was concealed behind one of the walls.

ESSAY 1-25-2025

Listen · 2:19
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Saturday

The Pacific Ocean is seen in the distance beyond palm trees and the charred remains of homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 13, 2025.

The Pacific Ocean is seen in the distance beyond palm trees and the charred remains of homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 13, 2025. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Simon Says

Opinion: Great writers on Los Angeles

NPR's Scott Simon reflects on the wildfires in Los Angeles, and the words of writers who were drawn to the city.

ESSAY 1-19-2025

Listen · 2:35
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Wednesday

Martin Luther King Jr. at the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963

Martin Luther King waves to supporters on Aug. 28, 1963, on the Mall in Washington, D.C., during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Many musicians, including Marian Anderson, Mahalia Jackson, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Odetta and The Freedom Singers were also at the march. AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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AFP/Getty Images

Music

Daring to Dream: A reflection on America

Classical California KDFC

In celebration of what would have been Martin Luther King Jr.'s 96th birthday, pianist Lara Downes examines how musicians have followed in his footsteps, and faced the cost of taking a stand.

Saturday

President Jimmy Carter in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Jan. 14, 1981 prior to appearing on national television to deliver his farewell address. (AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi)

President Jimmy Carter in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Jan. 14, 1981 prior to appearing on national television to deliver his farewell address. (AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi) Charles Tasnadi/AP hide caption

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Charles Tasnadi/AP

Simon Says

Opinion: When Jimmy Carter and I spoke about UFOs

NPR's Scott Simon recalls a conversation he once had with the late President Jimmy Carter about the possibility of UFOs.

ESSAY 1-11-2025

Listen · 2:23
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Monday

Saturday

Scott Simon's Christmas tree and Hanukkah candles.

Scott Simon's Christmas tree and Hanukkah candles. Caroline Simon hide caption

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Caroline Simon

Simon Says

Opinion: Prayers are messages for our own hearts

Hanukkah began on Christmas this year. A reflection on celebrating both holidays in a multi-faith family.

ESSAY 12-28-2024

Listen · 1:49
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