Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Rock 'n' Roll LA, Emoji Controversy, and Ocean Protection
Obama's plan for ocean protection, making water from waste, whooping cough, rock 'n' roll in LA, and emoji diversity.
By Barbara Bogaev • • 51m ListenPresident Obama has announced his intention to create the world’s largest marine sanctuary in the Pacific Ocean. Desalination is being considered as a possible source of drinking water during the drought; but recycling and purifying our wastewater could be a cheaper and more energy efficient solution. Whooping cough is now officially an epidemic in California. Why are people who’ve been vaccinated getting the disease? We talk about the early history of rock and pop in LA with longtime local music journalist and author Harvey Kubernik. And we check out 250 new emojis and the controversy over their lack of racial diversity.
Banner Image: Whisky a Go Go on Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles; Credit: Mike Dillon
In this episode
5 storiesOcean Protection
President Obama announced that he intends to create the world’s largest marine sanctuary. He plans to use his executive powers to extend protections to a vast area of the Pacific. Details are a bit sparse, but early reports say the protected area will be 782,000 square miles roughly bounded by Hawaii, Samoa and Guam.
Read the story8 minDrinking Our Waste Water
Desalination could be one answer to our drinking water problems here in California. But recycling and purifying our wastewater could be a much better and cheaper solution. The problem is the “ick factor”: People don’t like the idea of drinking something that used to be sewage.
Read the story9 minWhy Whooping Cough?
The whooping cough is now officially an epidemic in California, with a huge spike in the number of cases. Why are people who’ve been vaccinated getting the disease?
Read the story7 minRock 'n' Roll Los Angeles
When people think of LA, they almost always think of Hollywood and the film industry. But it’s no secret that the LA music scene has been one of the most influential in the world. It’s the place where artists recorded some of rock and pop’s greatest hits.
Read the story15 minEmoji Diversity
The group that sets the standards for digital communications has released 250 new emojis - the little symbols and images used in text messages. But the new batch of characters doesn’t address a growing concern over a lack of racially diverse emojis.
Read the story9 min
