Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The Future of Space Tourism, A Dire Climate Warning and Science for Her!
We get the latest on the investigation and ethics of the death in the SpaceShipTwo crash. Plus, are TV sweeps still relevant in the digital age? And, comedian Megan Amram gives us a satirical look at Science for women.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenOne pilot was killed and another seriously injured last Friday during a test flight of SpaceShipTwo. We look at the investigation and explore whether this is an acceptable price for space tourism. And is TV sweeps season still relevant in an age of Netflix and HBO GO? Also, a new report shows dire consequences for ignoring climate change, a look at why we become complacent about these warnings. And, Madeleine sits down with comedian Megan Amram to explore questions like: "What is the sexiest molecule?" and "What religion is best for your body type?"
Banner Image: SpaceShipTwo in a captive flight configuration underneath White Knight Two, during the runway dedication of Spaceport America in October 2010; Credit: "White Knight Two and SpaceShipTwo from directly below" by Jeff Foust - Flickr: WK2/SS2 from directly below. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
In this episode
5 storiesSpaceShipTwo Investigation
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo crashed on Friday during a test flight. The idea behind Richard Branson’s company is to send regular, non-astronauts into space, where they can experience weightlessness. We get the latest on the investigation and what might have gone wrong.
Read the story7 minIs There Still a Future for Space Tourism?
One pilot died and another one was seriously injured in the SpaceShipTwo explosion. What is an an acceptable price to pay for dangerous technology that will probably only benefit the ultra rich? Wired Magazine editor Adam Rogers recently explored that question in a piece called “ Space Tourism Isn’t Worth Dying For .”
Read the story9 minFall Sweeps in the Digital Age
TV’s fall sweeps season has begun. It’s the ratings period when TV networks and local stations will pull out all the stops and stunts to draw in as many eyeballs as possible. But in the age of the DVR, Netflix and HBO Go, does “sweeps” season really mean anything? We talk about that and the latest news from the world of television.
Read the story10 minAn Uncertain Future
It’s the starkest warning yet from the United Nations: A new report says if we don’t significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there will be irreversible changes to the earth with food shortages, refugee crises, flooding, mass extinction of plants and animals and a dangerously altered climate.
Read the story7 minScience for Her!
What religion is best for your body type? What are winter’s sexiest molecules? And please, won’t someone figure out the most romantic places to see smog? Oh. Someone has figured it out and she’s written an entire book about this stuff. The new book Science... for Her!
Read the story14 min
