What are the U.S.'s options in Syria? Then, a recent study found Jews give at a much higher rate than other groups. How does Jewish giving impact Los Angeles? Then, what do you think of the new video screens at the Hollywood Bowl, and are Gen Y workers lazy in the workplace? Lastly, is Bigfoot real? We find out with author Donald and his book“Abominable Science!: Origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and Other Famous Cryptids.”
What options and objectives does the US have in Syria?
Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee is discussing the possibility of American military action against Syria. Secretary of State John Kerry stated emphatically if the U.S. fails to enforce its word, there will be a greater problem down the road in Syria. Congressional lawmakers are drafting various versions of resolutions to authorize a use of force, but support is still uncertain for military strikes.
What are unintended consequences of: limited strikes; no strikes; a broader campaign; more diplomacy and embargoes? What are the other options? And what are the objectives?
Guests:
Phyllis Bennis, Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies, a Washington D.C. think tank founded in 1963
Ari Ratner, Fellow, Truman National Security Project, a Washington D.C. think tank founded in 2005
Jewish philanthropy’s role in shaping Los Angeles
A recent study out shows that the number one predictor that a Jewish person will give to charity is their connectedness to the Jewish community. This connection made Jews more likely to give to Jewish organizations, as one might expect, but it also made them more likely to give to non-Jewish organizations as well. Jews, the study found, were far more likely than other groups to give. Seventy-two percent of Jews reported giving to charity in the past year, substantially more than the 63 percent of other groups.
Interestingly, at income levels over $50,000 per year, Jews give at the same rate as non-Jews, but under that income, Jews gave at much higher rates than others. Though that’s not to say that wealthy Jewish philanthropists don’t play big roles in helping shape institutions of the arts, medicine, and education all both locally and internationally.
What inspires the Jewish drive to give? Why do Jews choose the charities they ultimately write a check to? How does Jewish giving impact Los Angeles? If you’re Jewish, which causes do you give to and why?
Guest:
Joshua Avedon, co-founder of Jumpstart, a philanthropic research & design lab based in Los Angeles
Those jumbo screens at the Hollywood Bowl: buzz kill or what?
The Hollywood Bowl has added a staple to its lineup in the form of four humongous, high definition LED screens. They replace four older, less impressive screens that were installed in 2005.
The increased clarity, extra brightness of the new screens are welcomed by concert-goers, particularly those seated way in the back of the gigantic venue, who wouldn’t be able to see anything that’s happening on stage otherwise. But not everyone is pleased with the upgrades, calling the jumbo screens an unnecessary distraction. “The $1.5 million video system sullies music as much as electronic billboards in the mountains despoil nature,” Mark Swed, the music critic of The Los Angeles Times, wrote. “The new monitors ruined the atmosphere."
“No longer is this a place where you feel like you can get away from it all for a buck. The four monitors penetrated the natural setting with a noxious glow,” he continued.
What do you think of the new additions at the Hollywood Bowl? Are the screens too bright, too distracting?
Guest:
Mark Swed, LA Times’ music critic
Are millennials lazy, distracted and overly demanding in the workplace?
A majority of employers say Gen Y workers (22 to 29 year olds), have poor work habits and unrealistic pay demands. This, according to a new study by Millennial Branding, a Gen Y research and consulting firm, and American Express. The survey polled 1,000 Gen Y employees and 1,000 managers from different industries across the country. 47 percent of bosses said millennials have a poor work ethic, 46 percent said they’re easily distracted and 51 percent said they have inflated compensation expectations.
Dan Schawbel, the study’s 29 year old author, says the most surprising result is that millennials have a positive view of their bosses, thinking they’re experienced and wise. But the feeling isn’t mutual. Maybe employers have themselves to blame, because Gen Ys also want more mentoring, according to the study, but only 33% of those polled said their bosses are willing to provide it.
So, are millennials lazy or misunderstood? What should managers do to better support them?
Guest:
Dan Schawbel, author of the new study “Gen Y Workplace Expectations” and the book Promote Yourself: The New Rules For Career Success (St. Martin's Press, September 2013)
The Yeti, the Loch Ness Monster, Big Foot, and the science of cryptozoology
Is Bigfoot real? What about the Loch Ness monster? Or the Yeti? Legends of these mythical creatures have permeated throughout our history. We hear of Bigfoot sightings from time to time, but aside from a blurry cell phone photo, there’s no real proof that these creatures exist. So why have their stories continued to be a part of our culture?
Abominable Science! challenges the science and pseudoscience of famous cryptids to argue for and against their existence, while also examining the psychology of our desire to believe in the paranormal.
Guest:
Donald Prothero, author of “Abominable Science!: Origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and Other Famous Cryptids”
Donald will be speaking tomorrow night at 7:30pm at Skylight Books.