the Verge
PROFILE
Elizabeth Lopatto
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FROM Elizabeth Lopatto
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
How 'natural' are nature documentaries? The signature scene in the Oscar-winning 1958 Disney documentary “White Wilderness” features a mass suicide of lemmings. That scene was disturbing for the faint of heart, but that’s not why the film is now infamous. It turned out the whole thing was staged and the lemmings did not voluntarily jump to their deaths – they were pushed to their deaths by the film crew. Filmmakers have gotten better about not engaging in outright animal cruelty these days, but nature documentaries still fake quite a lot, like adding sound effects in post-production. Are filmmakers being dishonest or is a certain amount of fakery to be expected?
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
How do Trump supporters feel about the Paris Accord? Globally and around the U.S., there are strong opinions whether or not the Paris Climate Accord is a good idea. The American exit is either a horrifying abdication of American leadership or a forceful and long overdue statement about U.S. sovereignty.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Gov. Jerry Brown: California and China will fight climate change together President Donald Trump reportedly wants the U.S. to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, and he’s expected to announce a decision soon. California Governor Jerry Brown heads to China to strengthen climate and clean energy ties.