Press Play with Madeleine Brand
UCLA's Commencement Uproar, L.A. Parking Woes and Jaywalking Downtown
UCLA students are protesting that this year’s commencement speaker is Nathan Myhrvold, an entrepreneur whose track record in the tech industry is tainted by accusations of patent law abuse. We hear from a student, and get a primer on Myhrvold’s career.
By Madeleine Brand • • 39m ListenUCLA students are protesting this year’s commencement speaker. His name is Nathan Myhrvold, an entrepreneur whose track record in the tech industry is tainted by accusations of patent law abuse. We hear from a student, and get a primer on Myhrvold’s career. Then, an urban planner who’s spent his whole career studying parking retires in June. He shares what he’s learned. And finally, why are police cracking down on jaywalking in Downtown L.A.?
Banner Image: Graduating students attend UCLA's commencement ceremony; Credit: Sam Kim
In this episode
3 storiesUCLA Protests Commencement Speaker
Remember the movie The Graduate? Benjamin Braddock was given one word of advice for his future career: “plastics.” Well, UCLA’s class of 2015 may be hearing another word: patents. That’s because the school’s commencement speaker is Nathan Myhrvold, an entrepreneur who’s been called “patent troll public enemy number one.”
Read the story15 minL.A.'s Parking Guru
We Angelenos drive more than anyone in the nation. We spend more hours in traffic and travel longer distances. And when it’s all over, we will have spent days, even weeks, driving in circles looking for a parking spot. But what if we didn’t have to? We hear from a UCLA expert who’s dedicated his career to solving the parking conundrum.
Read the story12 minJaywalking Outrage
It’s not only hard to find a parking spot in Downtown L.A. It’s also becoming hard for pedestrians crossing the street. Police there have been cracking down on jaywalkers. If the light isn’t green, you can get a nearly $200 dollar ticket, even if you cross while the red hand is flashing.
Read the story8 min
