Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Aging Facebook, Selling Science, and a Dystopic Income Gap
On Facebook's 10th birthday, why are young people going elsewhere? Also, scientific research meets commercial interest, the race for the foreign film Oscar, and more.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenFacebook turns 10 years old today, but while the site is going strong, young people are going elsewhere. Plus, has the intersection of commerce and scientific research gone too far? We also talk with author Chang-rae Lee about his new book depicting a futuristic income gap, and we hear about the intense politics behind the Oscar nominees for foreign film.
Banner Image: Facebook webpage, Franco Bouly
In this episode
4 storiesAging Facebook
Today marks the 10 year anniversary of Facebook’s launch. But while the site is still going strong for now, its users are aging. We take a look at the social media sites young people are actually using, and why a lot of adults haven’t heard of them. We’ll also talk about whether these sites are doing enough to keep kids safe from predators.
Read the story17 minLab Rats: Space Jump Edition
It’s been over a year since Felix Baumgartner filmed himself jumping out of a balloon 24 miles above the earth. New footage has been released by the camera company that supplied some of his equipment. But is the intersection of commerce and research good for the future of scientific discovery?
Read the story8 minChang-Rae Lee: The Future of Rich and Poor?
Author Chang-Rae Lee's new book, On Such a Full Sea , imagines a world when the rich have totally segregated themselves and everyone else is on their own. Madeleine talks to Lee about how income inequality has crept into his work and whether we're having a cultural moment based on the divide.
Read the story13 minThe Geopolitics of Foreign Film Oscars
The 86th Academy Awards are March 2nd. 76 countries around the world submitted films for Oscar consideration but, as always, only five films were nominated - and only one will take home the hardware.
Read the story10 min
