Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Snowden at SXSW, Addiction & The Chicken Industry
Edward Snowden speaks at SXSW, Republicans and Democrats hold bicoastal conferences, Tyson Foods takes over the chicken industry, and rethinking addiction.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenEdward Snowden spoke at the South By Southwest Interactive conference in Austin, Texas this morning. He addressed the crowd remotely via a video feed from Russia. We listen to what he had to say, and we discuss Americans’ true feelings about digital privacy. We also talk to the author of a new book about how one company almost completely took over the chicken industry. Plus, a reporter and recovering addict takes a closer look at 12-step programs. And we check-in on two political conferences that took place over the weekend: The national conservative CPAC conference on the East Coast, and the gathering of California Democrats here in L.A.
Banner Image: Edward Snowden receives the Sam Adams award for Intelligence Integrity in Moscow in 2013.
In this episode
5 storiesSnowden at SXSW
Edward Snowden spoke at the South By Southwest Interactive conference in Austin, Texas this morning. He addressed the crowd remotely via a video feed from Russia. It was the first public talk the former National Security Agency contractor-turned-leaker has given to people in the U.S. since he fled to Russia last June.
Read the story7 minDo We Care About Privacy?
Edward Snowden painted a bleak picture of our privacy at the South By Southwest Interactive conference this morning. But most Americans are not that worked up over his revelations about government surveillance. Sure, we don’t like the idea of the government snooping into our emails and phone calls.
Read the story8 minBicoastal Conferences
While Republicans gathered on the East Coast for their national the Conservative Political Action Conference this weekend, California Democrats held their state convention in Los Angeles. We check in on both conferences to find out what was discussed and what it says about the future of each party.
Read the story10 minMeat Racket
A handful of companies control the vast majority of meat production in this country. And with size comes influence. Take, for instance, Tyson Foods, the biggest meat producer in the country. Writer Christopher Leonard takes a look at what consolidation means for consumers and for chickens.
Read the story14 minRethinking Addiction
For most of the last 75 years, the treatment of addiction in the U.S. has mainly been a trip to a church basement or community center, praying to God, and sharing stories with others who have the same addiction. In other words - the 12-step program. It’s pretty much the only available option for most alcoholics and addicts...
Read the story9 min
