Press Play with Madeleine Brand
America’s Ransom Policy, The Uber Future, and a Giant Head
The militant group the Islamic State murdered American journalist James Foley earlier this week. We now know that before the killing, the group demanded $132 million in ransom from the U.S. government. We have a policy of not paying ransoms. But European countries do pay. And their citizens usually get released.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenWe now know that before killing American journalist James Foley earlier this week, the militant group the Islamic State demanded $132 million in ransom from the U.S. government. We look at the U.S. policy of not paying ransoms and how the administration is likely to react to threats against Americans still held by the Islamic State. Next, Uber has hired one of President Obama’s former advisors to lead its public relations -- what’s the company’s long-term plan? Meanwhile, scores of new apps facilitate all kinds of door-to-door deliveries. Is it a delivery service bubble, or a lasting cultural shift? Frank is a new film about an avant-garde pop musician who wears a big, fake head. We hear from British writer Jon Ronson, who played keyboards with the film’s real-life inspiration and co-wrote the movie’s script. Finally, we hear from the sports-comedy duo the Sklar Brothers about Little League phenom Mo’Ne Davis, the chance of a Freeway Series and the crazy speech by new Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
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In this episode
5 storiesShould America Rethink Its Ransom Policy?
American journalist James Foley was beheaded in Syria this week by a militant from the Islamic State. We now know that before carrying out the execution, the group demanded $132 million in ransom from the U.S. government. The U.S. didn’t pay it, because it has a policy of not paying ransoms. But European countries DO pay.
Read the story8 minThe Uber Future
Uber, which hired one of President Obama’s closest advisers earlier this week, has partnered with companies like OpenTable, United Airlines and Starbucks. So now you can make dinner reservations AND plan to drink too much wine with that coq au vin in one fell app swoop. Or book a flight to Madagascar AND book a ride home at the same time.
Read the story8 minOrdering In
Uber is testing online delivery and offering a motley list of items in the DC area. But they’re not the only one. There are scores of start-ups offering to deliver whatever you want, whenever you want it: Is this a bold new world in commerce or just another tech trend that’s bound to implode?
Read the story7 minInside Michael Fassbender’s Giant Head
Frank is a new film about an avant-garde pop musician who wears a big, fake head. Nobody knows who he really is. The movie, starring Michael Fassbender and Maggie Gyllenhaal, was inspired by a real avant-garde pop musician in the 1980s who wore a big, fake head.
Read the story14 minThe Little Leagues and the Big Leagues
The Sklar Brothers join us to talk about little league phenom Mo’Ne Davis, the chance of a Freeway Series, and the crazy speech by new Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
Read the story11 min
