The American Cancer Society says breast self-exams do more harm than good -- a look at what that means for the average woman; why the NYT is betting on virtual reality by sending Google Cardboard to 1 million subscribers; gun law scholar Adam Winkler argues demographic trends are skewing against the NRA's supporter base; and is a 1934 FCC law requiring 'equal time' for candidates outdated or under-enforced?
Pros and cons of American Cancer Society’s new breast cancer screening guidelines
The American Cancer Society has updated its cancer screening guidelines, the first time in a decade.
The new guidelines call for women to start annual mammogram screenings at age 45, instead of 40; and two times a year for women over the age of 55.
While these guidelines are just that -- guidelines, they’re certain to have an impact on how doctors and women approach breast cancer screening.
Would they have an effect on insurance coverage? Do they make you rethink when you should get your first mammogram?
Guests:
Dr. Israel DeAlba, M.D, M.P.H., Asst. Clinical Professor in internal and preventive medicines at UC Irvine Medical Center, who specializes in cancer prevention and early detection. He is an American Cancer Society volunteer and a previously ACS-funded researcher
Dr. Dana H. Smetherman, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.R., Section Head, Breast Imaging and Vice Chair, Department of Radiology at the Ochsner Health System, a not-for-profit health care provider based in southeast Louisiana
What New York Times, Google collaboration on VR journalism means for how we consume news
“All the news that’s fit to print” may soon become “all the news that’s fit to project.”
The New York Times and Google are collaborating to send more than a million NYT subscribers Google Cardboard, an affordable, folding virtual reality device that allows users to attach their phones and experience virtual reality content. The idea will be to use Google Cardboard with ‘NYT VR,’ a new app the company is releasing that will feature a series of VR films that aim to transport users directly into the world of the stories they’re reading and the lives of the people who live there.
While there have been many VR startups and tech entrepreneurs who have tested the waters of virtual reality journalism, this is definitely one of the first mass opportunities for the average news consumer to experience virtual reality. VR journalism makes it possible for viewers to take part in the story they are reading, which supporters think will create a stronger connection between the viewer and the story. But there are also concerns about the potential for people to eventually desensitize themselves to the events they see, much like what has happened with television news.
How does the Google Cardboard technology work and who is going to get one? What is the potential for the future of virtual reality in journalism? Will it bring us closer to the stories we want to know more about or simply make us numb to the world around us?
Guests:
James Milward, the founder and executive producer at Secret Location, a company that produces content for emerging platforms
Nonny de la Pena, CEO of Emblematic Group, a company that creates virtual reality experiences. She also directed the virtual reality journalism project ‘Project Syria’
American demographics could be countdown to NRA's demise
One of the country's top scholars on gun laws and politics, UCLA's Adam Winkler, says several demographic trends are skewing against the National Rifle Association and its gun-rights policies.
Writing in "The Washington Post," Winkler says we know opinions on gun-control are fairly consistent by race, education level, and urban proximity - and that white, rural, less educated voters who support the NRA are on the wane.
Winkler underscores the growing population of Latino- and Asian-Americans and details their widespread support of gun control. Add to that the swells in urban populations in recent years, plus relatively low crime levels could all mean an end to the influence of the NRA with members of Congress.
How can Winkler be certain that Latino- and Asian-Americans will continue to favor gun control? Is the NRA reaching out to those populations? If we see a greater uptick in crime in Los Angeles, how would it affect your opinion of various gun control measures?
Guests:
Adam Winkler, Professor of Law, UCLA; Author, “Gunfight: The Battle Over the Right to Bear Arms in America”
John Lott, Author, “More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws”
Lessig, Trump & Clinton beg question: is FCC Equal Time Law outdated or under-enforced?
Harvard law professor and democratic presidential hopeful Lawrence Lessig is asking NBC stations for ‘equal time’ following Hillary Clinton’s October 3rd appearance as Val-the-bartender on Saturday Night Live.
It’s thanks to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule dating back to 1934 and stipulating that actively campaigning candidates can request ‘equal time’ when broadcast stations invite a rival on air.
In response to Lessig’s request, NBC has asked him to prove he’s a “legally qualified candidate.” Ouch. But Lessig’s case may be bolstered by the recent announcement that SNL has invited Donald Trump to host the 90-minute show November 7th, which when compared to Clinton’s 3-minute act, is raising a few eyebrows.
Technically, the FCC rule doesn’t apply to SNL because the show doesn’t fall within the categories outlined by the original rule. But it does raise a larger question about which candidates get air time and what impact it has on their campaigns.
Should there be an equal time rule in effect, or should popular demand drive air time?
Guests:
Meredith McGehee, Policy Director at the Campaign Legal Center, a Washington D.C.-based nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focused on campaign finance & voting rights