Today on AirTalk, our weekly political roundtable recaps the major headlines you might’ve missed in politics news over the weekend and looks ahead to the week to come. We also examine how artists should respond to reviews and criticize; discuss how couples navigate breakups on social media; and more.
Week In Politics: Nixed Meeting With Taliban Leaders, Climate Change Town Hall And Upcoming Dem Debates
AirTalk’s weekly political roundtable recaps the major headlines you might’ve missed in politics news over the weekend and looks ahead to the week to come.
What we’re following this week:
President Trump has nixed a meeting with the Afghan President and Taliban leaders
The DOJ opened an antitrust probe into the four automakers that have agreed to California’s tighter emissions standards
2020:
CNN held a town hall dedicated to climate change, during which ten candidates presented their plans to tackle the issue
In a move counter to the CA law that requires presidential candidates to release tax returns, the California Republican party has passed a rule that would allow it to send delegates to the GOP convention, even if Trump isn’t on the ballot
GOP party leaders in Nevada, Arizona and South Carolina are thinking of cancelling primaries in their states, in a show of support for President Trump
Kamala Harris has released her criminal justice plan, and some say it’s counter to her prosecutorial record
The third debates are coming up this week. Warren and Biden will share the stage for the first time. Plus, do the candidates who didn’t make the cut stand a chance? (Or for that matter, anyone besides Biden, Warren and Sanders?)
Over 40 state attorneys general are opening an antitrust investigation into Google. A similar investigation on Facebook was announced earlier this week
Guests:
Jennifer Merolla, professor of political science at the University of California, Riverside
Jack Pitney, professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College; he tweets
How Should Artists Respond To Reviews And Criticism?
Lana Del Rey did not like a recent critique of her new album, “Norman F— Rockwell,” from pop music critic Ann Powers. And she let her know.
The music artist took to Twitter to let Powers and her more than nine million followers know she wasn’t pleased. Powers used the word “uncooked” to describe Del Rey’s lyrics while also describing herself as a fan of the musician. Fans from both sides came to the defense of Del Rey and Powers, but some spewed anger-filled messages as a result. The rise of social media has given superfans a platform for speaking out in defense of their favorite artists, but it sometimes goes too far. It’s something other artists have had to address with their fans. So how should artists respond to criticism of their work and do they have a responsibility today in how their fans react as well?
Guest:
Wade Major, film critic for KPCC and CineGods.com
Company Launches MeToo-Branded At-Home Rape Kits, Legal Experts Lose It
The Brooklyn-based company MeToo Kit says it’s offering an alternative option for those who experience sexual assault and want to collect evidence.
On its website, the company says it allows those who have been sexually assaulted “to focus on what matters most: their recovery.” But legal experts, including some state leaders, have quickly doled out harsh criticism against the product, which is not yet available for purchase. They say the at-home kits could cause sexual assault survivors more problems and that the evidence likely wouldn’t hold up in court. Some have also argued the company is attempting to profit off of the ‘MeToo’ movement and could encourage delaying medical attention.
The co-founder of the company, who says she’s a sexual assault survivor, says many people don’t seek medical help and this could be a way to give them time to process their trauma. According to the company’s website, the kit includes swabs to collect DNA, a container to spit into and packaging to seal the evidence in. It even touches on whether the kit would be admissible in court, but the answer isn’t clear. The co-founder has said the at-home test isn’t meant to be a replacement for medical professionals. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the implications of the at-home kits.
If you are in need of immediate help, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 for free and confidential help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Guests:
Madison Campbell, co-founder of the Brooklyn-based company MeToo Kit, which has designed at-home sexual assault kits
Ambrosio Rodriguez, former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney; he led the sex crimes team in the Riverside D.A.’s office
As Hand And Face Scanners Become Ubiquitous, How Comfortable Are You With Sharing Your Biometric Data?
In the last week, Delta Airlines and Amazon have both announced plans to use biometric scanners to mitigate lines of customers.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Delta Airlines plans to unveil their facial scanners at LAX this Friday. The devices will be stationed outside one boarding gate, with plans to expand in the future.
Amazon, meanwhile, is still in the early stages of introducing hand scanners in Whole Foods stores. The New York Post reports that Amazon employees have been testing the scanners at vending machines in their New York offices. Unlike iPhone thumbprint sensor technology, Amazon’s scanners will use depth geometry and computer vision to map customers hands without them needing to touch a surface.
Would you use biometric technology if it made lines at the airport shorter? Do you feel different about facial scanning compared to hand sensing? Join the conversation at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Roger Cheng, executive editor of CNET, the tech news site; he tweets
Richard Feinberg, professor of consumer sciences and retailing and consumer psychologist in the Department of Consumer Science at Purdue University
Turn On, Tune In, Drop A Tab: Johns Hopkins Opens New Psychedelic Research Center
Johns Hopkins Medicine is launching a psychedelic research center with the help of 17 million dollars from private donors.
According to the New York Times, researchers say the new infrastructure and funding will help give the study of psychedelics a foothold in establishment science.
The first-of-its-kind center will focus on testing benefits of LSD and psilocybin on a range of mental illnesses: addiction, anorexia, depression, and Alzheimers. Critics of psychedelic studies have raised concerns about possible placebo effects of hallucinogenic drugs, but Johns Hopkins researchers say that’s being taken into account when designing experiments. What questions do you have about psychedelic drugs? Call Airtalk to share your thoughts.
Guests:
Roland Griffiths, MD, director of Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins
Charles Grob, MD, professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at UCLA Geffen School of Medicine; director of child and adolescent psychiatry at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Public Announcements, Divorce Selfies: How Couples Are Navigating BreakUps On Social Media
It’s extremely common for couples to take to Facebook, Instagram and other popular social networking sites to post the major milestones in their lives: engagements, marriages, kids and everything in between.
But what happens when the couple splits after potentially years of happy-go-lucky social media posts that paint a joyous partnership to their followers?
In the heart of the social media age, couples are trying to navigate going through a divorce. As it’s said in a Wall Street Journal article, break ups alone are difficult, but it can become even more challenging for those who have showcased their marriage on social media. It can add to the feelings of loss and failure for those splitting up, in addition to feeling publicly judged. Some couples are now posting public announcements on social media and even posting “divorce selfies,” which are exactly what they sound like, a selfie proclaiming the recent events. How did you navigate your divorce among a sea of followers online? Did you share the events with your network? Join the conversation.
Guest:
Rachel Zamore, a marriage and family therapist based in Brattleboro, Vt., she offers discernment counseling and works with couples all over the country who are on the brink of divorce