Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Propaganda Wars, iPhone Hysteria and Ranking College Rankings
This morning, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced a new slate of products, including two new iPhone models. Every minute of the unveiling was chronicled in news reports... but why? What is it about Apple that inspires media hysteria over every new product?
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenIraq has a new prime minister. We take a look at what the leadership change mean for U.S. involvement in Iraq and Syria, and we discuss a new propaganda video released by the US to combat ISIS recruitment. Next, we look at Apple’s unveiling of two new iPhone models today and examine the media hysteria that surrounds every new apple product. Turning to education, a new book claims that much of our common wisdom about the best ways to study and learn are flat-out wrong. And finally, how can we make sense of the multitude of lists that come out this time of year, ranking American colleges?
Banner Image Credit: Mikhail (Vokabre) Shcherbakov
In this episode
5 storiesNew Iraq Prime Minister
Iraq has a new government, led Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. The hope is that he can conquer the Islamic State, or ISIS, the violent Sunni group that has taken over large swaths of the country. Meanwhile, the United States is about to get further involved in Iraq. We take a look at what might be next for the U.S. in Iraq.
Read the story9 minPropaganda Wars
The militant group known as the Islamic State has used the Internet to spread propaganda messages and videos. Now, the State Department is fighting back with its own campaign. But it has a tricky line to walk, repurposing Islamic State material without promoting it.
Read the story7 miniHype
This morning, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced a new slate of products, including two new iPhone models. Many news outlets live-blogged every minute of the event. But… why? What is it about Apple that inspires an avalanche of breathless press every time a new product is unveiled?
Read the story9 minHow We Learn
Pop quiz! What’s the best way to prep for a test? Is it: a) study in a quiet place, b) avoid distractions, c) repeatedly study the information until you understand it, or d) all of the above? Actually, the answer is none of the above.
Read the story14 minRanking College Rankings
College rankings are an annual ritual this time of year. And the list of lists keeps growing. The most high-profile list of ranked American colleges comes from U.S. News and World Report, which put out its latest today.
Read the story7 min
