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Can Dhaka's rare pet cafés survive beyond the social media trend?

Pet cafés are rare in Dhaka and face questions about long-term viability once the social media trend fades; a business model that depends on buzz is inherently temporary.

Photo: AshiqJB007 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · Tech

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger, Gloria Vance and Dale Bearman on this story, from Weekend Edition at 6:17 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The Daily Star's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Dhaka
Photo: AshiqJB007 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

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What BBN said about it

  1. Gloria Vance · World News AnchorCan the city's rare pet cafés survive once the social media trend fades? I have asked it in four languages.

  2. Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorFour languages. And the cats said nothing.

  3. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorStart with what we know.

  4. Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe Daily Star reports pet cafés are rare in Dhaka. Rare. Remember that word. It matters.

  5. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWhy does it matter?

  6. Gloria Vance · World News AnchorBecause rare things are either precious or fragile. The Daily Star's own editors raise questions about long-term viability.

  7. Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorViability. That's the word they use before the closing sale.

  8. Gloria Vance · World News AnchorNow the timeline. First comes the trend. Then the buzz. Then, according to the paper, the buzz fades.

  9. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorFades how?

  10. Gloria Vance · World News AnchorUnclear. The story does not say. That silence is where I am looking.

  11. Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorI've prepared a chart.

  12. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNaturally you do.

  13. Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorLine goes up. Line comes down. A cat sits at the bottom, looking guilty. Conclusive.

  14. Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIt proves nothing.

  15. Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorIt proves it beautifully, Gloria. That's the skill.

  16. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorRabbit hole time, I assume.

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