Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What Angelenos Worry About the Most
A new survey of Angelenos reveals that we worry a lot about housing and schools. What else does it reveal about the quality of life in the city?
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenA new survey of Angelenos reveals that we worry a lot about housing and schools. What else does it reveal about the quality of life in the city? Then, a look at a new measure that would legalize so-called bootlegged apartments. In our weekly web roundup, topics include arms sales on Facebook and a new Reddit tool for blocking trolls. Writer Melissa Broder talks about her new essay collection, “So Sad Today.” And finally, some California lawmakers are floating new measures to protect fashion models from unhealthy standards.
In this episode
5 storiesWhat Angelenos Worry About
Los Angeles might be celebrated for its sunny weather. But the same cannot be said of its residents’ feelings about their city. The first quality-of-life survey of L.A. is out, and it turns out that Angelenos are anxious. Nearly a third are worried about becoming homeless, including people who earn a six-figure salary.
Read the story8 minBootlegged Apartments and Affordable Housing
Housing in Los Angeles is notoriously expensive. One way to address that is to create more supply, and the city council is considering a plan that would do that. The proposed measure would legalize so-called bootlegged apartments in the city. These are unpermitted units that are otherwise safe.
Read the story8 minWeb Roundup: Weapons on Facebook and Reddit’s Troll Blocker
It’s Thursday, which means it’s time for our weekly roundup of Internet-related news. Today we look at military weapons being sold through secret Facebook groups, WhatsApp’s powerful new encryption and a new tool from Reddit to block trolls.
Read the story9 minSo Sad Today
On July 5th, 2012, Melissa Broder tweeted “sad today.” She did it anonymously under the handle So Sad Today. That was the first of many raw, honest and often funny tweets she posted on the account. She quickly drew a Twitter following of more than 300,000 and she remained anonymous for several years.
Read the story14 minDo Fashion Models Need Workplace Protections?
Ever-thinner fashion models, often Photoshopped to look even more waifish, have been worrying health advocates for years. Many in the fashion industry have begun to embrace healthier models, sometimes coined “plus-size.” But most high-end designers still want the clothes hanger look when it comes to model casting.
Read the story7 min
