The U.S. announced it is placing visa restrictions on certain Ukrainian and Russian officials--a step toward sanctions. Then, a look at the new SAT and the potential dangers of CrossFit. Next, is a Master's program the best way to break into a creative field? Later, the history of health food.
White House takes a step toward sanctions against Russia with visa bans
The White House waded even further into crisis between Ukraine and Russia on Thursday by announcing it was placing visa restrictions on certain Ukrainian and Russian officials, which Washington believes are responsible for the escalation in Crimea region.
The Obama administration didn't name names yet but indicated that it would single out individuals if Russia does not withdraw its troops from Crimea.
Washington is looking for ways to put pressure on Russian president Vladimir Putin in response to their invasion of Ukraine. The administration also said that it had an arsenal of far-reaching economic sanctions at its disposal that it would use if Putin did not pull back.
Obama issued a broad executive order that authorizes the Treasury Department to freeze assets of "persons who have asserted governmental authority in the Crimean region without the authorization of the Government of Ukraine."
The order goes even further and allows the US to target individual companies owned by government and military officials or anyone who provides 'support' to Russia's involvement in Ukraine.
Will the Obama administration actually implement the sanctions? What sort of impact could these economic sanctions have? Is the rest of the world supportive of the US using sanctions against Russia?
Guest:
Jamila Trindle, Senior Reporter for Foreign Policy magazine
The new SAT makes the essay optional and incorporates new tech
The SAT will no longer require an essay section, according to an announcement yesterday from the College Board about the 88-year-old test’s redesign.
The new SAT will return to a score out of 1600, and aims to be more accessible to students from all backgrounds. Updates to the test include the elimination of the essay, reading sections focused on students’ curriculum, and the option to take the test digitally.
Students will no longer be penalized for the wrong answers, vocabulary words will be restricted to words in common use in high school and college classrooms, and the College Board will partner with popular nonprofit tutoring website Khan Academy to provide free test prep.
The redesigned SAT will be implemented in 2016. In recent years, students taking college admissions tests have gravitated more than ever to the newer ACT test, which is shorter and has an optional essay.
How will colleges adapt to the new SAT? What is the best way to test students for college preparedness? Are essays and longer test segments a measurable part of the process? Are they fair? How will the SAT and college admissions programs continue to change?
Guest:
Eric Hoover, Senior Writer, Chronicle of Higher Education
Are CrossFit workouts too dangerous for the average person?
Southern California is no stranger to the workout trend called CrossFit. The gyms, or "boxes" as they're known, have been popping up in cities across the country since the workout caught on in the early 2000s.
The exercise trend focuses on explosive movements called 'plyometrics' and high intensity, high volume workouts meant to confuse and strengthen the muscles. CrossFit has become a national phenomenon with more than 5,000 affiliated gyms across the U.S.
But a recent serious injury at a CrossFit-style competition here in Southern California is bringing more attention to the safety of the program. The athlete, experienced CrossFit trainer Kevin Ogar, is now paralyzed from the waist down after being injured while doing a routine power lift at the competition.
Beyond the headline-grabbing serious injuries, does the nature of the CrossFit-style workout make people more prone to injury? Is CrossFit inherently dangerous or do the benefits of exercise outweigh any risks? Is CrossFit riskier than other types of sports? Will CrossFit athletes of today be casualties in a decades’ time? With its increasing popularity, can CrossFit gyms and trainers safely keep up with the growth?
Guests:
Andy Galpin, PhD, assistant professor of kinesiology at Cal State Fullerton
Jonathan Sum, assistant professor of Clinical Physical Therapy at USC
MFA or DIY? Artists, filmmakers, novelists, which route did you choose to realize your craft?
In "MFA vs NYC: The Two Cultures of American Fiction," writer and cultural thinker Chad Harbach talks about the two routes available to those with literary aspirations who want to pursue a career in creative writing.
One could either move to New York City and write. Or one could clock a couple years in Irvine, Calif., or Iowa City, Iowa--where two of the country's most prestigious writing programs are based--and earn an MFA.
This dichotomy inevitably brings up this question: can writing--and by extension, filmmaking, art-making--even be taught?
If you are a writer, artist or filmmaker, call in and tell us how you chose to pursue your chosen art form. Why did you decide to get a MFA? Or why not?
Guest:
Chad Harbach, editor of the new book of essays “MFA vs NYC: The Two Cultures of American Fiction” (n+1 / Faber and Faber, 2014). He is also a founder of n+1 magazine, a literary journal based in New York, and the author of bestselling novel “The Art of Fielding” (Little, Brown and Company, 2011)