Orange County is considering a Megan's Law-style website for dogs considered dangerous. Sound like a good idea? Then, we're talking about the situation in Miami that's sparked up conversations about bullying in the NFL. Then, we'll find out how to trick our brains into eating healthier this holiday season. Later, we'll discuss the pros and cons of building a desalination plant in Huntington Beach and talk about the humanization of robots. Then, Beetles or Stones? Mick and Keith or John and Paul? Let us know which bands or artists compete to be your favorite!
Orange County seeks to map dangerous dogs
Orange County is considering creating an online map that shows where dogs considered to be dangerous or vicious are being kept. The website is described as being like the Megan's Law website that would probably give information on where the dog lives and what it did to get into trouble.
Orange County supervisor Todd Spitzer proposed the website, saying it's important for residents to know where dangerous dogs live.
Is the map a good idea? What's the criteria for a dog being deemed vicious or dangerous?
Guests:
Ryan Drabek, Director of OC Animal Care, a county’s animal control agency
Blythe Wheaton, co-founder and executive director of The Pet Rescue Center, a pet rescue nonprofit organization in Mission Viejo.
Miami Dolphins suspend Incognito over bullying allegations
When you think of someone who’s being bullied, the stereotypical image that comes to mind is that of a young, defenseless, and perhaps nerdy kid. Even with a broader understanding, few would imagine a 300-pound NFL football player, which is part of what makes the story of Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito so surprising.
Both are offensive linemen for the Miami Dolphins, the kind of guys you imagine can take care of business – on and off the field. In this case, Jonathan Martin chose to leave the team, after accusing Richie Incognito of bullying him.
Incognito, the alleged offender, seems to have a long history of questionable conduct. CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported that “Incognito has had to be reprimanded in the past for his actions toward team employees. … It is not uncommon for him to intentionally walk into people and make others feel uncomfortable.”
In this case, he’s being accused of sending racist texts and voicemails, calling Martin “Big Weirdo,” and pressuring him to pay $15,000 towards the offensive line’s trip to Las Vegas, an outing he didn’t even attend, among other things. Incognito has been suspended and the investigation is ongoing.
But as new details emerge, so do more questions, such as, what does this all say about NFL culture? And if this sort of thing can happen in the NFL, what other unlikely groups are facing similar issues?
Guests:
Emily Bazelon, is a Slate senior editor and the Truman Capote Fellow at Yale Law School. She is the author of Sticks and Stones
Chester Pitts, former American football offensive lineman of the National Football League (NFL); played with the Houston Texans from 2002-2009 and the Seattle Seahawks in 2010
How to trick your brain into a healthier holiday-grub season
In the latest research from Cornell University’s Food & Brand Lab, we learn how buffets can be healthy (veggies first, fried chicken last), clear wine glasses lead to heavier pours of Pinot Grigio, and extroverted kids’ food servings are more influenced by environmental cues.
While much of the world struggles with food scarcity, most Americans struggle with too much food, too many options, too many calories. Brian Wansink, renowned eating-behavior expert, studies how our daily rituals and patterns either sabotage or bolster healthful diet habits. Another recent Cornell study focused on family dining habits.
Perhaps not surprisingly, it found that families who eat with the TV on, had higher BMIs (body mass index). It said dinner tables that included meaningful conversations about each person’s day was associated with lower BMIs in the adults.
Do you need tips to avoid tipping the scale this Thanksgiving? Will you rearrange your party buffets with green beans up front, meatballs way back? How do you avoid diet sabotage?
Guest:
Brian Wansink, Ph.D., Eating-behavior expert; Professor of Marketing, Cornell University; Director, Cornell Food and Brand Lab
A Thirsty Land: Water Wars in Southern California, Part 1: Can desalination secure Orange County’s water future?
One hundred years ago today, the California Aqueduct was completed, and that imported water became the foundation that Southern California was built on. That water sustained the creation of countless jobs, new industries, massive-scale farming, and a population boom that made Los Angeles one of the world’s great cities.
Ironically, though, Mulholland’s aqueduct didn’t quench the thirst of Southern California. In fact, it proved that the region had massive growth potential, if only it could get the water.
A century after that imported water went flooding into the San Fernando Valley, the region struggles to get the water necessary to support population growth. Case in point, next Wednesday (November 13, 2013), at a meeting of the California Coastal Commissioners in Newport Beach, the CCC will consider Poseidon Water’s application for a Coastal Development Permit that would allow Poseidon Water to build a desalination plant in Huntington Beach.
The Orange County Water District is looking for new sources to quench the thirst of its growing population, but environmentalists warn that desalination is a pollution-heavy practice with an unstable track record.
Do you support the idea of turning seawater into tap water? Do the benefits outweigh the costs? If not desalination, how will the OC get the water it will likely need in coming decades?
Guests:
Conner Everts, co-chair of the Desal Response Group, which promotes sustainable alternatives to ocean
Shawn Dewane, President of the Board of Directors, Orange County Water District, Chairman of CalDesal, an advocate for clean, safe, reliable drinking water for California through environmentally responsible water desalination and salinity management
Should robots be more like humans?
With advances in technology, Robots are beginning to move, look and act more like humans. They are also creating robots that are good at performing tasks like human do. Many of the latest robots are operated from a distance, but now many can operate without any human control at all.
A recent New York Times piece pointed out that robot designer believe robots will be able to perform any type of human labor including working as caregivers or security guards. Recently, Rethink Robotics released a video of its robot making a cup of coffee. The robot, Baxter was programmed to make coffee in just a few hours.
Do you think robots should imitate humans? What is your threshold for robots becoming more humanlike? How will this faux-people be accepted into society?
Guests:
Ayse Saygin, Associate Professor at the Department of Cognitive Science at UC San Diego who studies the effects of the robotic theory called “the uncanny valley.”
David Hanson, founder and chief science at Hanson Robotics, which makes human-like robots.
Battle of the Bands: The Beatles vs. The Rolling Stones
Mick and Keith versus John and Paul? “Satisfaction” versus “A Hard Day’s Night”? “Gimme Shelter” versus “Hey Jude”? “Ruby Tuesday” versus “Love Me Do”?
Call and make your case, and answer the poll below.
Just for fun:
Guest:
John McMillian, author of Beatles vs. Stones (Simon & Schuster, Oct 2013) and Assistant Professor of History at Georgia State University