Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Defusing Ukraine, Space Twins and Stupid Condors
Defusing tensions in the Ukraine, suing General Mills, funding the arts, launching rockets to space, and bringing condors back from the brink of extinction.
By Madeleine Brand • • 50m ListenPutin says he has the right to send Russian troops into Eastern Ukraine, and John Kerry spent five hours today meeting with diplomats in Geneva about growing tensions in the region. General Mills says that if you “like” us, you can’t sue us. LA controller Ron Galperin has discovered a $10M stash of unused arts funding that can’t be spent. In our Lab Rats science segment, we look at the latest Space X rocket launch, private space exploration, and a year-long experiment on astronaut twins Mark and Scott Kelly. Also, condors have been brought back from the brink of extinction. But raising them in captivity using hand puppets has made them kinda... well... stupid.
In this episode
5 storiesDefusing Tensions in the Ukraine
John Kerry spent five hours meeting today with diplomats from around the world to talk about the growing tensions in Eastern Ukraine. The situation there is getting more violent by the day.
Read the story8 minIf You Like Us, You Can't Sue Us
How much do you like Cheerios? Enough to give them a thumbs-up on Facebook? Well, if you do end up “liking” Cheerios - or any other product made by General Mills - you could be giving up your right to sue the company.
Read the story7 minPublic Debate Over Public Art
When it comes to arts funding, there’s never enough money. But a recent audit by L.A.’s city controller reveals that $10 million for public art has been sitting in an account - unused - for years. That’s almost as much as the entire budget of LA’s Cultural Affairs Department.
Read the story8 minLab Rats: Outer Space Edition
SpaceX is scheduled to launch a rocket tomorrow to carry supplies to the International Space Station. Since the space shuttles were mothballed, the US has relied on Russian rockets. But now, just as Ukraine is causing a diplomatic rift with Russia, Space X is providing a domestic and privately-owned alternative.
Read the story11 minStupid Condors
In 1987, condors were on the brink of extinction. There were only 22 of them left in California. Scientists captured those 22 birds and created a successful breeding program that has saved the species.
Read the story11 min
