Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Al Qaeda in India, Gamergate, and Cars for Millennials
Anita Sarkeesian has made a name for herself critiquing the way women are depicted in video games. But it’s made her a target. Vitriol pours out against her online. She was even forced from her home because of threats. In the gaming community it’s being referred to as “Gamergate.”
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenAl Qaeda is looking for new recruits. In a video released last night, the group’s leader announced a new branch in India. In West Africa, the ebola epidemic is spreading at an alarming rate. Doctors Without Borders is calling the response to the outbreak “lethally inadequate.” A new study says it’ll cost us $10B to clean up the Salton Sea, but seven times that if we don’t. We take a look at “Gamergate”: One woman’s critiques of the way women are depicted in video games has made her a target for hate-spewing trolls. And finally, millennials just aren’t as interested in cars as previous generations used to be. Car companies are experimenting with ways to get more young people behind the wheel.
Banner Image Credit: James Cao (Studiosushi™)
In this episode
5 storiesAl Qaeda Targets India
Al Qaeda is looking for new recruits. Not to be upstaged by that other Islamic jihadi group, ISIS, Al Qaeda’s leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, put out a video last night announcing a new branch of the terrorist organization in India.
Read the story11 minThe Failure to Contain the Ebola Epidemic
The ebola epidemic is spreading at an alarming rate in West Africa. The World Health Organization estimates at least 20,000 people will be infected in the next six months. Doctors Without Borders has called the response to the outbreak “lethally inadequate.”
Read the story8 minSalton Sea Study
The Salton Sea, one of California’s most surreal landmarks, takes up 350 square miles in the otherwise parched desert south of Palm Springs. Decades ago, the lake was a hotspot for tourists and celebrities. Now, after years of environmental deterioration, the Salton Sea is on the brink of becoming a public health disaster.
Read the story7 minGamergate: Misogyny in Gaming
Anita Sarkeesian’s online video series began as a thoughtful, Kickstarter-funded critique of the way women are depicted in video games. But it’s made her a target. Vitriol pours out against her online. She was even forced from her home because of threats. In the gaming community it’s being referred to as “Gamergate.”
Read the story12 minCars for Millennials
Young people just aren’t as interested in cars as they used to be. Car companies are trying to find a way to fix that. One idea: Turn cars into smartphones.
Read the story8 min
