Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The Disappearing Middle Class, Hello Barbie and a K-Cup Takeover
Today, a panel discussion about the disappearing of America’s middle class. A new report says less than half the population is now middle class. We’ve moved to the top and the bottom instead. What does it mean for the future?
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenToday we start with a panel discussion about America’s disappearing middle class. A new report says that less than half the population is now middle class; what does it mean for the future? In our weekly web and digital news roundup, Xeni Jardin discusses the heavily criticized new toy Hello Barbie. Then, the second installment of our two-part look at drones; this time, the ethics. And finally, the rise, fall and purchase of K-Cups.
In this episode
4 storiesThe Disappearing Middle Class
According to a new report from the Pew Research Center, America has reached a tipping point when it comes to the middle class. For the first time in decades, slightly less than half the population is now middle class. That’s because more Americans have moved into the upper or lower income brackets, leaving fewer people in the middle.
Read the story15 minHello Barbie and Other Tech News
There’s a new toy called “Hello Barbie.” She talks, and kids are supposed to talk back. Critics say it stifles children’s creativity and threatens their privacy. We discuss that and more in our regular Thursday roundup of web and digital news.
Read the story9 minThe Ethics of Drones
Drones are now very much a part of how we think about warfare. Between civilian casualties and the issue of waging war without ever sending an army into a country, there are many moral and ethical questions when it comes to drone warfare. We heard yesterday about the international rules or lack thereof when it comes to drones.
Read the story14 minThe K-Cup Takeover
You’re probably familiar with K-Cups, those plastic containers that deliver caffeine in whatever flavor you want. Those little pods made Keurig Green Mountain Coffee a brand beloved by consumers, until those consumers turned on the company. Because aren’t all those K-Cups bad for the environment? And is the K-Cup coffee actually good?
Read the story7 min
