- Social:
Vox
Education reporter for Vox
PROFILE
Libby Nelson
Guest
FROM Libby Nelson
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What’s the story behind those “I Voted” stickers? In a nation divided, we can all agree on one thing: “I Voted” stickers are awesome. They’ve been around since the 1980s and are a $30 million business per year.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
How Pepe the Frog was co-opted by the alt-right In an election season that’s been criticized as cartoonish, it must be noted that actual cartoons are also playing a role. For example, Pepe the Frog. Pepe is a cartoon frog with sleepy eyes. He looks stoned and a bit self-satisfied. You may have encountered Pepe the Frog on the internet. It’s where he was born in a stoner web comic more than 10 years ago. But recently, Pepe’s been co-opted by racist elements of the alt-right. Pepe frequently shows up in anti-semitic and white supremacy memes which Donald Trump Jr. has tweeted. Now there is an official Pepe explainer on Hillary Clinton’s campaign website which warns that Pepe is, “more sinister than you might realize.”
To the Point
Affordable College: The New American Dream Dental Surgery. Divorce. Decapitation. There are few things that are as painful as paying for college. With average student debt at $30,000 and the cost of college growing by about three to four percent a year, presidential hopefuls and educators are churning out proposals to lower college costs and make borrowing less painful . Some are rethinking college altogether to make it cheaper, shorter and more accessible. There’s also the idea of a three-year degree or making graduates who earn more pay more. But do any of these ideas go far enough to bring college back within reach of middle class families?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The State of Sex Education Condoms or chastity? Sex ed in this country has swung both ways, and now it’s somewhere in-between. Since Congress cut off funding for abstinence-only sex ed 5 years ago, states have implemented their own, different standards for teaching sex ed. The result: it’s not clear what American kids are learning.
Recommended
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Why did Jared Kushner want a back channel with Russians? News broke Friday that President Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, tried setting up a back channel between the Trump transition team and the Russian government. What are the consequences for Kushner, President Trump, and the investigation into Russian meddling?
The Treatment
Kenya Barris: Black-ish Black-ish creator Kenya Barris joins Elvis Mitchell to discuss utilizing his show as a conversation starter.
The Treatment
Hua Hsu: A Floating Chinaman Author Hua Hsu stops by to discuss his book A Floating Chinaman, recounting the life of 1930's actor/writer H.T. Tsiang and his struggles entering the American literary world.
Design and Architecture
Farewell LA freeways, Peter Shire is back Angelenos don't want more freeways but we seem not to want mass transit either. Metro has killed the 710 freeway extension, and bus and train ridership is down across the region. What's the future of getting around in LA? And, Peter Shire is having a comeback. What attracts a new generation to his playful ceramics and furniture?